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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were forced to sit apart when they attended Pippa Middleton’s wedding due to a bizarre rule she implemented for her guests on the day

When Princess Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton got married to James Matthew she had one unusual rule for her guests.

The bizarre request had a direct impact on Prince Harry and his girlfriend at the time Meghan Markle. Pippa and James tied the knot at St Mark’s Church in Englefield on May 20, 2017 with Prince George and Princess Charlotte serving their aunt as pageboy and bridesmaid.

After the ceremony their guests departed to head to their reception venue Bucklebury Village Hall to park their cars before undergoing an ID check and providing a password to head on to Pippa’s parents’ estate. Upon arrival they were welcomed into a 140-foot glass marquee in the garden decorated to an enchanted forest theme.

Pippa and James tied the knot in 2017 ( 
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)
It’s here where Meghan joined back up with Harry. There was plenty of fun and games at the bash and even an extravagant light show before guests were served food and drink from a luxury menu that included mini haggis, deer carpaccio, langoustine claws and asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. However, upon taking to their seats the guests discovered that they had been banned from sitting with their other halves on the seating plan.

According to Harpers Bazaar, the etiquette guide Debretts says: “It is up to the host to decide whether husbands and wives are to be seated together or apart at formal events.” The move is thought to help guests get to know one another better.

The move meant that having travelled 3000 miles from the US to attend with Harry, Meghan was not allowed to sit with him. But, she almost didn’t get to attend at all when Pippa also implemented a “no ring, no bring” rule at her wedding. The request meant that guests could only bring a spouse or a fiancé as their date.

Meghan was almost banned from attending at all ( 
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Getty Images)

But Pippa must have made an exception for Meghan as she was in attendance at the after party with Harry with the pair photographed at the event. It seems Pippa’s brother James was also given a pass for the rule as he also brought a date who was not wearing an engagement or wedding ring with him.

At the time he was in a relationship with TV presenter Donna Air and she accompanied him to the bash as his date. James and Donna later broke up and he began dating french beauty Alizee Thevenet who he later wed in 2021. Harry would of course go on to wed Meghan just a year later in May 2018, following their engagement in November 2017.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent tour of Nigeria was dubbed ‘The Meghan Show’ by a Royal expert, who claimed the Duke is ‘entirely in his wife’s shadow’

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been warned of “two outcomes” if the Duchess continues to outshine the Duke.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently made headlines during their high-profile visit to Nigeria, sparking speculation as some observers noted that Harry appeared “worried” while Meghan seemingly stole the spotlight. This marked the duo’s first official international outing since their dramatic exit from Royal duties four years ago, following closely on the heels of Harry’s solo return to the UK for the Invictus Games anniversary.

Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe shared with OK! that, at 39, Harry seems to be comfortably “playing second fiddle” to his more dominant wife, Meghan, aged 42. “Meghan is a very strong character, very driven, extremely ambitious, and those are the kind of characteristics that mean she will almost always inevitably outshine Harry and grab the attention from him,” Duncan explained. “Harry is entirely in her shadow. But he’s never really been at ease with the attention, he’s never really enjoyed it.”

But also weighing in on the couple’s dynamic, Dr Sona Kapur, founder of Serenity Psychological Services and a clinical psychologist, told OK! Magazine that there are usually two potential outcomes when one person overshadows the other in a relationship. If Harry is content being outpaced by Meghan, it signifies “strong self-assurance and mutual support”, though she points out this isnt always the case.

Duncan said Harry has ‘never really enjoyed’ being in the spotlight ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
She added “It can add pressure if not managed well, potentially causing feelings of inadequacy or resentment. Success requires open communication, mutual support, and ensuring both partners have opportunities to pursue their interests and shine.”

Duncan added: “Whether it’s deliberate or not, Meghan is definitely a magnet for attention. Although we saw a huge amount of money spent on her combined outfits for Nigeria so maybe it’s not a complete accident that she steals the limelight. Their Nigeria trip was ‘The Meghan Show’ and Harry was the side.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wore very different colour palettes on their Nigeria trip ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

Meghan shone while Harry is happy to play second fiddle ( 
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, on Friday, 10 May, without their two children, five year old Prince Archie and two year old Princess Lilibet. They spent the next three days immersed in planned activities such as visiting hospitals and schools, engaging in a seated volleyball session with veterans and Meghan delivering an empowering speech on women in leadership that drew significant media attention.

As official snaps of the visit began to surface, with Meghan often pictured in vibrant outfits while Harry sported solely beige or black ensembles, some suggested Harry looked uneasy and apprehensive alongside his wife. Body language specialist Darren Stanton clamed that despite the couple looking “filled with joy” at moments, Harry often appeared “worried” under the scrutinising limelight.

Meghan’s jewellery was very similar to the pieces worn by Princess Diana on her own visit to Nigeria in 1990 ( 
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“They often display different emotions when they’re carrying out visits or engagements together as a team,” he said, speaking on behalf of Betfair Live Casino. “In Nigeria, we saw Harry looking slightly worried and not quite himself from time to time. We could see his eyebrows angling down, and a few of his facial expressions and smiles weren’t the most genuine from him. This can suggest Harry was feeling apprehensive and a bit nervous.”

Darren claimed he noticed “a few signals of apprehension” coming from Harry, “which tells us he could be feeling slightly on edge and not knowing how to act.”

Prince Harry looked ‘worried’ at times during the Nigeria trip, an expert said ( 
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
As usual, Meghan’s wardrobe was a hot topic – especially next to Harry’s muted tones and after she addressed her style at the Women in Leadership event. Dressed in a scarlet-red long dress, Meghan told the audience “I very quickly got the memo that I need to wear more colour so I can fit in with all of you in your incredible fashion.”

It also didn’t go unnoticed that some of Meghan’s looks were strikingly similar to those of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, when she visited the same country back in 1990. During her visit to the Lightway Academy on day one, Meghan wore a blush pink maxi dress called “The Windsor Gown”, which sells for over £1,000. She accessorised with a gold collar necklace and large gold stud earrings incredibly like the ones worn by Princess Diana when she toured the West African country with King Charles.

Meghan addressed the audience at a Women in Leadership event in Abuja ( 
Image:
Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation)
Former Royal Editor Duncan has claimed that Meghan and Harry’s wardrobe choices would have been meticulously planned to convey specific messages. “Critics of Meghan would say she fully embraces basking in the sunshine and attention, she really is very meticulous about what she wears and how she carries herself,” he added.

Duncan also suggested that Meghan “dominated” the headlines during their trip, not only due to her own personality but also because Harry prefers to avoid the spotlight. “It’s a combination of Meghan’s personality and drive, and also a reflection of Harry’s willingness not to steal the limelight and frankly, feeling more comfortable playing second fiddle to his wife,” he said.

Meghan and Harry celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary with an intimate dinner at a seriously swanky restaurant near their California home, where they were accompanied by close pals

When Harry and Meghan tied the knot, their fairytale royal wedding was filled with A-list guests. And since moving to sunny California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have embedded themselves even further into Hollywood circles.

The couple celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary last weekend, and opted to mark the occasion at an intimate fancy dinner with a handful of close pals.

Fashion designer Tracey Robbins and her husband Brian, the CEO of Paramount Pictures, reportedly joined Harry and Meghan at the swanky Lucky’s steakhouse – said to be one of Harry’s favourite spots since moving to Montecito a few years ago. The glamorous restaurant has played host to some serious stars over the years, including popstars like Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

Lucky’s Steakhouse in LA ( 
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Google Maps)
Other A-listers who have been spotted at the upmarket eatery include Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Degeneres, but it’s not Meghan and Harry’s first rodeo. Back in 2020 the Sussexes enjoyed dinner with music industry stalwart David Foster and his wife Katharine McPheewhen, lapping up the California sunshine by dining outside, according to reports. Meghan also popped into the lavish restaurant last year for a bite to eat. A waiter from the restaurant confirmed to Business Insider that Meghan and Harry were “totally normal” during their visit in 2020.

The menu of the steakhouse offers a range of dining options at eyewatering prices, with a porterhouse steak setting you back $175 (£139.79). Given a side of simple sauteed mushrooms costs whopping $20 (£15.72), the prices are certainly fit for royalty and A-list celebrities alike.

The menu offers some delicious dishes ( 
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Lucky’s Steakhouse)

Tracey Robbins, who dined with Meghan and Harry as they marked their milestone anniversary, was also one of the lucky people who were given a first look at Meghan’s new product range from her venture American Riviera Orchard. Meghan sent out baskets featuring her strawberry jams – accompanied by stunning lemon arrangements – that were a limited edition, with each jar marked with a number out of 50. Tracey quickly posted the luxurious treat on Instagram in support of her friend.

The two couples were also seen together in Jamaica where they attended the premiere of One Love – a movie telling the story of iconic artist Bob Marley’s life. It has been reported by the Daily Mail that the Sussexes’ invite to the glitzy event came from movie executive Brian.

A royal commentator claimed that Meghan Markle would not have been satisfied with royal life as she always “wanted to be a superstar”.

A royal experts claimed Meghan would not have enjoyed living the life of a Royal Family member. (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle always had plans to become a “superstar” and would not have been happy living the “quiet” life of a Royal Family member, a royal commentator has claimed.

Before she and Prince Harry left the Firm, there was talk of them becoming “half-in half-out” royals – supporting the late Queen but also working and earning independent salaries.

This drew comparisons between Meghan and Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, who both have normal jobs as well as attending royal events.

However, royal commentator Jane Barr claimed that Meghan would not have been satisfied with this strategy, as she always “wanted to be a superstar” and had her sights set on bigger things.

She wrote in the From Berkshire to Buckingham newsletter: “She [Meghan] would not have been happy with the ultimately quiet or truly independent/non-royal lives that William and Harry’s cousins actually live.

 

The couple could have adopted a similar strategy to Beatrice and Eugenie. (Image: Getty)

Looking back to Megxit, Harry was not just the grandson of the Queen, the same relationship all his cousins had to the sovereign, he was the son of the future King.”

Barr also claimed that Prince Harry had become a “spare” in the Royal Family, creating a feeling of bitterness and adding to his list of reasons to leave the family with Meghan.

After years of being treated as a senior member of the Firm, the Duke became “bitter”, according to Barr, before leaving the UK permanently and settling in the US.

 

She continued: “William and Harry were — from birth — preeminent royals, while their cousins, although celebrated, surely, began as secondary royals and only continued to fade as the years went by.

“Harry seems so bitter about being the spare, but he has always been quite senior to his cousins, and treated accordingly.”

 

Prince Harry and Meghan were untimately not allowed to adopt the “half-in half-out” strategy by Queen Elizabeth, which their fans slammed as unfair, maintaining that it could’ve worked.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6, 2019, and Royal fans were quick to notice a surprising omission on the official birth certificate

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son, Archie, has largely remained out of the public eye since his birth in 2019. Despite his parents’ frequent appearances in the media, both Archie and his sister Lilibet have been kept away from the limelight.

Upon Archie’s birth, Royal enthusiasts were quick to examine his publicly available birth certificate, where they noticed an unusual detail.

The official document lists Harry as ‘His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex’, a title that notably omits ‘Prince’. This omission puzzled many, especially considering that both William and Charles were referred to as ‘Prince’ on their children’s birth certificates.

On the birth certificates of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, William is identified as ‘His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis Duke of Cambridge’. Similarly, Charles was styled as ‘His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George Prince of Wales’ on the birth certificates of William and Harry.

Archie’s birth certificate also disclosed previously unknown information about his birth. It confirmed that Meghan delivered at London’s private Portland Hospital, contradicting reports that she had chosen a home birth.

Fans spotted something unusual about Archie’s birth certificate (Image: Getty)

The birth certificate for Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (Image: PA)

On the document, Meghan is named as ‘Rachel Meghan Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex,’ and her occupation is listed as ‘Princess of the United Kingdom’.

The Royal couple welcomed their baby boy at 5:26am on Monday, 6 May. Buckingham Palace issued an official statement confirming that Prince Harry was present for the birth and added: “The Duchess’ mother, Doria Ragland, who is overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, is with Their Royal Highnesses at Frogmore Cottage.”

On 4 June 2021, Harry and Meghan celebrated the arrival of their second child, a daughter named Lilibet Diana, in Santa Barbara. Interestingly, Harry used his HRH title on the birth certificate; his surname is listed as ‘HRH’ and his first name as ‘The Duke of Sussex’.

Meghan Markle’s name appears as her birth name ‘Rachel Markle’, with Meghan being her middle name.

This caused quite a stir as the couple had previously been informed they could no longer use their HRH titles after their decision to step back from Royal duties in early 2020.

In contrast William is listed as a ‘Prince’ on his children’s birth certificates (Image: PA)

During a recent visit to Nigeria, Meghan shared some insights about her two children. On the first day, the couple visited a school that has benefited from donations from their Archewell Foundation, the Lightway Academy in Abuja.

They met with a group of kindergarten-age children who performed songs and dances for them.

Harry engaged with the class, asking: “Is singing and dancing your favourite class? ” to which Meghan chimed in: “That’s Lili’s favourite class, maybe it’s all the jumping around.”

The Royal pair then visited a STEM class, where the children proudly showcased the robot cars they had built.

 

During their visit to a school, Prince Harry engaged with students about their interest in electronics, while Meghan Markle shared that their son Archie also has an interest in construction. The Royal couple also touched on the topic of mental health during their visit.

This led Meghan to share a heartfelt anecdote about their daughter, Lilibet.

She addressed the class, saying: “We all have our story. And there’s no shame in any single one of your stories. Even on the hardest days or darkest days, everything is a pillar of your strength by each of you being there. Your teachers see that in you. And we see that in you.”

She continued: “And interestingly, so our daughter, Lili, she’s much, much tinier than you guys. She’s about to turn three. And a few weeks ago she looked at me and she would just see the reflection in my eyes.

And she said ‘Mama, I see me in you’. Oh, now she was talking really, literally. But I hung onto those words in a very different way. And I thought, yes, I do see me and you, and you see me and you, but as I look around this room, I see myself in all of you as well.”

The stalwart older brother and father-of-three feels like a ‘spare himself’, a royal expert claims.

Prince William could be feeling Harry is taking the limelight, an expert claims (Image: Getty )

Prince William has been admirably stoic in his duty to his country as both his father and wife have bravely battled cancer, but with his younger brother’s recent successful foreign trip he could feel he is being “overshadowed”, a royal expert has claimed.

The 41-year-old heir to the throne has faced strain in recent months, but his younger brother the Duke of Sussex has just returned from a blockbuster overseas royal-like trip to Nigeria, while his wife Meghan has launched a lifestyle brand.

The Sussexes were also reportedly recently seen going for dinner near their home in California with Hollywood executives to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

The Africa trip for Prince Harry received a lot of attention and royal author Tom Quinn suggested William now “sees his role diminished”.

Mr Quinn told the Mirror: “It’s almost and if Harry is using his freedom, his outcast status, as a means to become a more prominent royal than he ever could have when he was just the spare.

 

The Sussexes recently enjoyed a highly successful trip to Nigeria (Image: Getty )

“Harry and Meghan have realised they don’t need the senior Royals’ permission to organise successful overseas trips where they behave as if they are the real thing.”

Despite having given up their duties as working royals, duties which Prince William still carries out, Prince Harry and Meghan were played the British national anthem during their visit to the West African nation, giving a distinct royal feel to the occasion.

Prince Harry was also invited to inspect Nigerian troops, despite no longer holding any military titles himself.

Mr Quinn continued: “They know they will be welcomed and feted as Royals, even if they are not officially royals at all.

 

Prince William and Harry have had a strained relationship in recent years (Image: Getty )

“They have realised that the leaders of many countries don’t care who is an official royal and who isn’t, they are just happy to see a young, glamorous couple who have royal titles and fit the bill.

“And after what they see as their wildly successful tour of Nigeria, they are convinced they are on a roll.

“Back in Britain and powerless to compete or to prevent his brother taking centre stage, William sees his role diminished. And he hates it.”

“He may even have started to feel a bit like a spare himself or at least that for the first time in his life he is being overshadowed by his brother and sister-in-law.”

Harry has previously referred to himself as the “spare” and revealed in his debut memoir he was first given the jocular nickname by his father, King Charles.

Charles is said to have first used the term when the late Princess Diana gave birth to Harry. He’s said to have responded: “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare – my work is done.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cuddled and held hands after they jetted off to the Caribbean to celebrate the wedding of one his closest friends yesterday.

Wearing a navy blue suit and yellow corsage, Harry looked every bit the handsome Prince as he undertook his official usher duties at the ceremony in Montego Bay.

Miss Markle made the most of the Caribbean sunshine, sporting a flowery dress and sunglasses as she accompanied her beau at the wedding of Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip with flame-haired literary agent the Hon Lara Hughes-Young.

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The couple were seen walking next to each other as they attended the ceremony in Montego Bay, on the north coast of Jamaica

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The American actress put her arm around Prince Harry, who was wearing a navy blue suit and yellow corsage on Friday

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The couple, who started dating last summer, flew to the Caribbean island separately to attend Harry’s friend’s wedding

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Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip flew to Jamaica to get married to flame-haired literary agent, the Hon Lara Hughes-Young (pictured together)

Later in the evening, the prince took his jacket and tie off and relaxed as he sat next to Miss Markle.

The famous actress put her arm around the fifth in line to the throne as they were seen laughing and holding hands at the table.

Harry flew out from Gatwick to Montego Bay on Wednesday and is staying at one of the most luxurious resorts on the coast.

Miss Markle, 35, flew in separately from her Toronto home later the same day.

The order of service showed Prince Harry was one of 14 ushers, with Tom Faber as the best man.

His name was written as Harry Wales, a title that he still uses for military purposes.

One friend said: ‘This the first time that she and Harry have socialised so openly as a couple and is a significant step up in their relationship.

‘Make no mistake, he is heads over heels about her. This one could go all the way.’

Ironically divorcee Miss Markle married her former husband, producer Trevor Engleson, in Jamaica in 2011.

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Prince Harry was joined by girlfriend Meghan Markle to celebrate the wedding of one of his closest friends in Jamaica yesterday

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Miss Markle made the most of the Caribbean sunshine, sporting a flowery dress and sunglasses after she flew in from Toronto

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Prince Harry (pictured) was wearing navy blue suit, a light blue tie and sunglasses as he walked outside the church in Jamaica

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The Suits actress and the prince remained close throughout the day and were seen talking to each other outside the baptist church

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The newlyweds enjoyed a kiss (left) and a drink (right) as they tied the knot in the Caribbean in front of friends and family

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Earlier this year, photographs emerged of Miss Markle during her wedding to former husband Trevor Engleson in Jamaica in 2011

MEGHAN MARKLE WAS BACK IN JAMAICA TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER WEDDING

In September 2011, Meghan Markle married Trevor Engelson in Jamaica.

The pair tied the knot at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios in front of about 100 guests.

The couple started dating each other in 2004 but split up two years after getting married.

Earlier this year, photographs emerged which were taken at the ceremony and showed the Suits actress taking part in a wheelbarrow race while wearing a yellow bikini.

The pair tied the knot at after dating for seven years, but split just two years later.

Harry, 32, and ‘party animal’ Mr Inskip, 30, have been friends since they were pupils at Eton together and are utterly inseparable.

When the prince disgraced himself playing naked pool in Las Vegas, Mr Inskip was by his side. And when the royal jumped into a nightclub swimming pool in Croatia fully clothed in 2011, his close friend was there with him too.

Mr Inskip, who was once photographed driving a convertible sports car naked in the US, his modesty only preserved by the steering wheel, was also with Harry when he was seen inhaling ‘hippy crack’, otherwise known as laughing gas, at a party in 2010.

His father, Owen Inskip, was a field master of Prince Charles’s favourite hunt, The Beaufort.

The groom and his bride, the daughter of Lord St Helens, have hired out the super exclusive Round Hill Hotel and Villas, a private 110-acre plantation style resort first built as a colony of cottages for the rich, famous and glamorous of the 1950s.

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The order of service (pictured) shows Prince Harry, written as Harry Wales, was one of 14 ushers, while Tom Faber was the best man

REVEALED: FROM WELSH SINGER KATHERINE JENKINS’ EX BOYFRIEND TO PRINCESS DIANA’S GODCHILD… THE USHERS AND MAIDS OF HONOUR WHO PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE WEDDING

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Adam Bidwell was one of the ushers at the wedding and is known for dating Katherine Jenkins (pictured together in 2013)

BEST MAN 

Tom Faber 

Tom is now an associate at Savills UK after graduating from the University of Bristol in 2009.

THE USHERS 

Adam Bidwell 

Mr Bidwell is best known for dating Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins in 2013. He was on the infamous trip to Las Vegas with Prince Harry and Mr Inskip and is now a stockbroker.

Jake Warren 

Jake Warren – known as Jakie – was at Eton College with Prince Harry and Mr Inskip and was one of Princess Diana’s godchildren. 

Archie Soames 

Mr Soames also studied at Eton. He is the great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill and a close confidant of Prince William’s.

Hugo Brassey 

A fellow Etonian, Mr Brassey is a close friend of the groom. He works in investment management.

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Jake Warren (pictured with Prince William and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) at Eton College with Prince Harry and Mr Inskip

Henry Morley 

Mr Morley studied at Eton with Mr Inskip and is now the founder and CEO of True Luxury Travel after graduating from Newcastle University.

Zia Chishti  

Mr Chishti is the founder of technology company Align Technology and is worth an estimated $23million. He is the CEO of artificial intelligence company Afiniti where Skippy was executive vice president and global head of sales.

Henry Hughes-Young 

Hon. Henry Thomas Hughes-Young is the brother of the bride and grandson of the late Conservative MP Michael Hughes-Young.

Rob Jones-Davies 

Mr Jones-Davis is Mr Inskip’s brother in law. He married Victoria Inskip at Malmesbury Abbey in September 2014 and both Prince William and Prince Harry attended the ceremony. He works in business development for land and property assets company Rural Solutions.

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Maid of honour Lady St. Clair-Erskine (pictured) is an actress best known for playing Kate Middleton in the 2011 US TV film William & Catherine: A Royal Romance

William Keogh 

Mr Keogh attended Bristol University with Mr Inskip between 2006 and 2009. He now works in investment management.

MAIDS OF HONOUR 

Alice St. Clair-Erskine

Lady St. Clair-Erskine is an actress and the eldest daughter of Peter St Clair-Erskine, 7th Earl of Rosslyn. She is best known for playing Kate Middleton in the 2011 US TV film William & Catherine: A Royal Romance.

Sophie Gass

Ms Gass is a former-banker-come-fashion-brand-founder and owns a boutique nail bar in Holland Park, London.

Emily Lopes

Ms Lopes works in sports PR and is the daughter of the late Devonshire racehorse breeder the 3rd Lord Roborough. She was once tipped as an ideal partner for Prince Harry after she met the prince at Cheltenham Races and the pair were said to have got on famously.

Emily’s cousin, Harry Lopes, is married to Laura Parker Bowles, daughter of the Duchess of Cornwall.

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Lara Hughes-Young walked up the steps to the Hopewell Baptist Church in Jamaica before she tied the knot with one of Prince Harry’s best friends

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Prince Harry and Miss Markle (pictured together) were close throughout the day and ended up relaxing on a table together

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The pair had flown to the Caribbean to celebrate Harry’s friend, Tom Inskip, marry his girlfriend, literary agent Lara Hughes-Young

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Friends say the three-day wedding event in Montego Bay, on Jamaica’s north coast, promises to be ‘mother-of-all parties’

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Wearing a navy blue suit and yellow corsage, Harry (left and right with Miss Markle) looked every bit the handsome Prince as he undertook his official usher duties at the ceremony

Explore the luxurious hotel hosting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Tom Inskip and Prince Harry have been friends since meeting when they both attended Eton College in Berkshire.

Mr Inskip, known as ‘Skippy’, was often photographed by Harry’s side when the pair went on holiday together.

In the summer of 2011, Skippy and Harry were pictured partying on the island of Hvar, off the coast of Croatia.

During that trip, the prince jumped into a swimming pool fully-clothed.

Meanwhile, Skippy was with Harry when photographs appeared to show the prince in a pool in Las Vegas without any clothes on.

Mr Inskip, who is two years younger than Harry, was also with him when the prince was spotted inhaling laughing gas at a party in 2010.

Meanwhile, the pair went on a skiing trip to Verbier, Switzerland, and they were reportedly seen throwing snowballs at passers-by when they on a balcony together.

And after their long history, Harry was given the important role of being an usher during Skippy’s wedding in Jamaica.

It boasts £1,600-a-night shore-side pool villas, one of which is believed to have been snapped up by Harry and Miss Markle, which are decorated in cool, Caribbean shades, with open-air living spaces, outdoor showers and locally handcrafted furniture.

A description on its website describes the hotel and villas as being ‘steeped in rich history’ and that it boasts ‘timeless elegance and true understated luxury’.

It reads: ‘Round Hill welcomes you with genuine Jamaican hospitality while captivating you at every turn.

‘We invite you to our 110-acre private enclave of luxury villas, boutique oceanfront rooms, award-winning seaside dining and an exquisite spa that lies nestled in a lush tropical hillside along a private bay of turquoise waters.

‘Here, guests become family, paradise is found, and experiences become lasting memories.’

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Prince Harry’s ‘wingman’, Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip, tied the knot with Hon Lara Hughes-Young (pictured together) on the Caribbean island

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Harry (pictured) and ‘party animal’ Mr Inskip, 30, have been friends since they were pupils at Eton together and are utterly inseparable

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 The bride is a flame-haired literary agent (pictured) and the daughter of Lord St Helens and was wearing a white dress

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Prince Harry and Miss Markle (bottom left) stood just outside the church and talked to each other following the ceremony in the Caribbean

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Harry was wearing a smart navy blue suit and sunglasses and was standing next to a number of friends and family members who had gathered to watch Tom Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young get married

ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS: JAMAICA’S CELEBRITY MAGNET

The bride and groom have hired out the super exclusive Round Hill Hotel and Villas to celebrate their wedding.

The private 110-acre resort was first built as a colony of cottages for the rich and famous during the 1950s.

John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline spent their honeymoon there, while other celebrities including Bob Hope, Paul Newman and Ralph Lauren have also visited.

English author Ian Fleming was also a frequent guest at the resort during his time on the Caribbean island.

The hotel boasts 36 oceanfront guestrooms designed by Ralph Lauren as well as 27 private, luxury Jamaica villas.

Its guestrooms overlook Round Hill Bay and snorkeling reef and are just yards away from the hotel’s infinity pool.

The designer rooms have plantation-shuttered windows and balconies, while the bathrooms have walk-in showers and soaking tubs.

A variety of villas are on offer, which range from two to six bedrooms and can come with private pools and separate guest houses.

Elsewhere the resort’s £500-a-night hotel suites are designed by Ralph Lauren, while facilities include a top-class spa, tennis courts and infinity pool, all nestled in carefully-tended tropical gardens.

The Prince and Miss Markle, who stars in the hit US legal drama series Suits, have been dating since last summer and despite living on different continents, the relationship has quickly taken off.

She spent the first two months of this year staying with Harry at Kensington Palace, where he lives in ‘modest’ Nottingham Cottage, before returning to Toronto where she is currently based for work commitments and to be united with her two beloved rescue dogs.

Miss Markle is due to start filming again next month but sources say there is talk that she will asked to be written out of show after completing her commitments in order to concentrate on her relationship with the Queen’s grandson.

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The couple tied the knot in front of friends and family at the Hopewell Baptist Church (pictured) in Montego Bay, Jamaica

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The groom and his bride have also hired out the super exclusive Round Hill Hotel and Villas. Miss Markle married her former husband, producer Trevor Engleson, in Jamaica in 2011

Meghan Markle visits Rwanda for World Vision campaign

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have big plans this Valentine’s Day and are due to embark on a three-day Canada trip.

But instead of this just being a romantic getaway for the parents-of-two, the focus of the visit is to celebrate Harry’s Invictus Games – and we could see a number of public appearances.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to fly to Canada this week to celebrate one year away from the 2025 Invictus GamesCredit: Getty

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The trip is expected to start on February 14 and the event lasts three daysCredit: PA

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Last week, Prince Harry jetted 5,000 miles from LA to London to be by his father’s side following his shock cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry only saw King Charles for 30 minutes, but broadcaster Robert Jobson exclusively told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson that an extended meeting would only end up delving into stressful topics which would hinder the King’s recovery.

He said: “You don’t want his blood pressure going up. The King’s not very well, whatever type of cancer it is, he’s undergoing treatment.”

Harry departed the UK just 26 hours after arriving – and later shocked fans as he took to the stage during the 2024 NFL Honors in Las Vegas.

There he made a joke-heavy speech as he handed out a “Man of the Year” award – without mentioning his father.

Meghan remained in California during Harry’s UK trip, but the pair are expected to spend February 14-16 at the One Year to Go festivities, ahead of the 2025’s Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip will start on Wednesday, according to People, and will kickstart the one-year countdown to the next sporting event.

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for international wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

The Vancouver Whistler games – which are due to take place between February 8 – 16, 2025 – are to be the first winter sporting event in Invictus history.

Events will include alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.

The 2025 event will be held in British Columbia, Canada, and will see up to 550 competitors from around 25 nations take part in the sporting challenges.

This week, Meghan and Harry could take part in activities at the Participating Nations Winter Training Camp.

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They are expected to also meet with members of the Invictus community, including team managers, coaches, and competitors.

It hasn’t been confirmed whether they will bring their two kids, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, to Canada.

The games have previously been held in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018 and the Netherlands 2022.

Harry said in a statement: “The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.

“With deep respect, I’m also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities.”

This follows Harry creating a five-episode, behind-the-scenes documentary called Heart of Invictus, which aired on Netflix as part of the Sussexes’ brand deal.

Last week, the Duke of Sussex was pictured arriving at London Heathrow at 1.30pm on Wednesday – just 26 hours after landing at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

It is believed Harry stayed in a hotel on Tuesday rather than a royal palace following a brief reunion with King Charles.

Following Harry’s visit, Charles looked happy with the reunion as he was pictured for the first time since the Palace announced his cancer diagnosis last Monday.

You don’t want his [King Charles’] blood pressure going up. The King’s not very well, whatever type of cancer it is, he’s undergoing treatment

Royal Author Robert Jobson On Prince Harry’s 30-Minute Meeting With King Charles

William and Harry have not spoken for more than a year, it is understood, and they didn’t meet up during Harry’s transatlantic dash to London.

Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “I don’t think anyone was surprised that Harry didn’t meet his brother William on his whistle-stop visit to the UK.

“They are as far apart as ever and William’s priority is to look after Kate as she recovers from abdominal surgery and to step up his royal duties to cover for the King.”

The Prince of Wales instead “remains focused” on looking after wife Kate Middleton, who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery.

Dad-of-three Wills is helping out as Kate takes extended leave from public duties until after Easter.

Prince Harry’s tense visits to Britain since Megxit

Relations between Charles and Harry were previously feared by some to be fractured beyond repair amid the fallout over their royal row.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun in December: “Charles and Harry’s relationship was at an all-time low before but this may have fractured it beyond all repair.

“It could spell the end game for them.”

Hopes of a reconciliation had been raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday last month and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids Archie, now four, and Lilibet, two.

And now, Harry has jetted back from the UK following his first face-to-face meeting with Charles for 16 months.

Here’s a look inside their fractured relationship since Megxit.

January 2020 – Harry and Meghan make their ‘Megxit’ flight, leaving for Canada, eventually setting up home in California, USA.

March 2021 – Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.

July 2021 Harry jets back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.

Pals said at the time: “William was still furious. He had taken the view that he’d only give so much. He just didn’t want to go there [with Harry].”

September 2022 – Harry jets to the UK for Prince Philip’s funeral. Meghan Markle, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was unable to attend due to doctor’s orders not to fly.

A pal of Harry’s tells Omid Scobie Harry met the Queen privately ‘at least twice’ and spoke with Charles and William after the Westminster Abbey service.

Kate acts as a “peacemaker” between William and Harry as they share a private chat.

September 2022 – The duke claimed he found out Queen Elizabeth had died in an online news alert.

He jetted to Balmoral without Meghan, and claimed in Spare that she was told she should not attend by Charles.

Harry travelled on a separate flight to his brother William – who travelled with the rest of the family.

The duke wrote in his memoir: “When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this.’ I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.”

Harry and Meghan were sat behind Charles at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

March 2023 – Harry is told King Charles is “too busy” to see him while he’s in the UK for a privacy hearing, according to reports.

The Duke had jetted to the UK to attend a four-day preliminary hearing at the High Court in London regarding his battle with publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

It was the first time the Prince was back on home soil since the Queen’s funeral.

Harry flew back to the US once the hearing was over.

April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London

The Duke travelled alone to attend the ceremony on May 6.

Harry headed straight back to the US following the coronation in Westminster Abbey.

He did not appear to speak to his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton at the ceremony – taking a backseat and sitting in the third row at the ceremony.

September 2023 – Prince Harry visits the UK for the annual WellChild Awards, a charity of which he has been patron for 15 years.

But the Duke is not thought to have met his father, as the King had “no time” in his diary to see his son, it was reported.

January 2024 – Harry flies to be with Charles after the monarch’s shock cancer diagnosis.

The two have their first meeting for more than 16 months at Clarence House, lasting half an hour.

Harry does not meet William and flies back to the US the following day.

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Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2023 Invictus GamesCredit: Reuters

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It hasn’t been confirmed if Archie or Lilibet will attend the Canada tripCredit: NETFLIX

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Prince Harry flew to the UK yesterday to see King Charles after his shock cancer diagnosisCredit: LNP

THE ANNOUNCEMENT of Archie’s birth was “stage managed to suit Harry and Meghan”, according to a royal expert.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, photographer Arthur Edwards MBE said that he remembers getting excellent pictures after the births of several other royal babies.

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Harry and Meghan with their newborn son in Windsor Castle, May 8, 2019Credit: AFP

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Harry, Meghan and Archie during their royal tour of South Africa in September 2019Credit: Getty
But he told the programme’s host Matt Wilkinson that on the big day in May 2019, the media were “led to believe” that Meghan had gone into labour at two o’clock when in fact the child had already been born.

He said: “When the baby was born, when Archie was born, that was another, in my view, disaster – I knew we were not going to get a picture of [Archie].

“Everybody was hoping we would get pictures.

“I mean obviously when William was born and Harry was born and George and Charlotte and Louis, we got great pictures outside the hospital, I remember.

“And William and Catherine especially, they made such an effort to show the whole world their new baby.

“Harry’s baby Archie was almost teething before we found out he was born, you know.

“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.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their son in May 2019 – just a year after tying the knot in their whirlwind romance.

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Meghan had initially wanted to give birth to Archie at Frogmore Cottage while attended by an all-female midwife team.

But she was forced to go to London’s private Portland Hospital to deliver the child, who weighed 7lb 3oz when he arrived on May 6 2019.

Harry and Meghan announced the name of their first child as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

The biography Finding Freedom revealed how the couple shared the news with the delighted Royal Family – naturally telling Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip first.

The explosive book, which was released in 2020, then claimed the proud new parents shared the news with Harry’s dad Prince Charles and brother Prince William – sending a photograph of the little boy who became the seventh-in-line to the throne.

Delighted Meghan and Harry then sent a message to the special cousins-only royal WhatsApp group to spread news of baby Archie’s birth.

But the biography claimed Meghan did not tell her estranged dad Thomas Markle.

Archie’s birth and the announcement

Meghan initially wanted to give birth to Archie at Frogmore Cottage while attended by an all-female midwife team.

But her dreams of a home birth were dashed as she was forced to go to London’s private Portland Hospital to deliver the tot, who weighed 7lb 3oz when he arrived on May 6 2019.

A source told Page Six: “Meghan’s plan was to have a home birth with Archie, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans.

“In the end, her doctors advised her to go to hospital and all she was interested in was about delivering Archie safely.”

Harry and Meghan didn’t want to announce where or when Archie was born, but agreed to a photo call in the grounds of Windsor Castle after his birth.

Queen Elizabeth II also wanted to officially announce Archie’s arrival with a note displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as a mark of her affection.

Beaming Harry told the press: “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we’re both absolutely thrilled.

“We’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there, it’s been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody.”

Harry and Meghan announced the name of their first child as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Archie, short for Archibald, is a name of German origin and means “bold or brave”. Harrison is of English origin — and means “son of Harry”.

The hyphenated surname Mountbatten-Windsor is in keeping with a royal tradition established by the Queen to differentiate her direct descendants from the rest of the House of Windsor.

But the choice of Archie Harrison surprised royal watchers, with some hoping Harry would include Spencer as a nod to mum Princess Diana’s maiden name.

Baby Archie’s birth has widely been reported to be one of the reasons the couple left the Royal Family – with Harry and Meghan wanting to protect their son from the scrutiny and give him a normal life.

Even while they were part of the Firm, Meghan made sure Archie’s christening on July 6 2019 was a “completely private affair” at the Queen’s Chapel in Windsor Castle attended by just 22 guests.

While she came under attack for breaking tradition and not allowing the media or the public a glimpse of baby Archie on his special day, Meghan didn’t care, according to the authors of Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.

Instead, it claimed Meghan asked her mum Doria Ragland to message her 76-year-old dad with the news of his grandson.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand then reported that the duchess asked her mother not to tell her if her dad, who lives in the US, replied.

Mr Edwards added that he was not staying in Windsor at the time.

He said: “There was a Royal tour to Germany with the King and Queen and I went with them and couldn’t get away from Windsor quick enough.

“I remember showing Camilla in, I think Munich, the first pictures of Archie that were taken by the Press Association, showing her on my phone.

“And that was the first time she saw him, you know, so it was difficult times.

“I have to say though, you know, that first year, Meghan, that working with her on the road, I mean, you know we went all over the country, she was incredible.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their son in May 2019Credit: The Mega Agency

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Arthur Edwards said he remembers getting excellent pictures after several royal births
“I was saying I thought she was a great asset to the family.

“I kept asking the Palace if we could have a meeting with her – you know, people who cover the Royals, to have a meeting with Meghan like we did with Catherine.

“And you know, introduce ourselves and let her get to know who’s writing about her photographing her.

“And I was assured it was going to happen but it never did.

“And then pretty soon she’d made her mind up that they were going, and that was it.”

Mr Edwards also mentioned the interview the pair did with Oprah Winfrey, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a series of shocking allegations.

The pair sparked a race row by alleging an unnamed member of the Royal Family spoke about “how dark his (Archie’s) skin might be when he’s born”.

During the Oprah interview, Meghan also said she was prevented from seeking mental health support when she was in crisis.

Mr Edwards said: “I knew that the Queen would be seething, I knew that the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles would be seething, it would be so unfair because one thing they are not is racists. They are not.

“I’ve been with the King all over Africa, all over South America, I’ve never seen – only just engaging and enjoying the company of these people.

“So, you know, in no way would he be like that. He’s just a – it’s just an unfair thing to say.

“But, you know, she delivered it like an actress delivered it, and Oprah responded going ‘wow’.

“It was awful.”

MEGHAN Markle has a staggering jewellery collection – but have you ever noticed the £15,000 “push present” piece that Prince Harry gave to her?

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, is said to have inherited numerous items from Princess Diana’s collection, but that hasn’t stopped her husband being generous with her too.

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Meghan Markle is thought to wear a sapphire pinky ‘push present’ from HarryCredit: Rex Features

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Meghan wears a Jessica McCormack ring that is ‘set with a 0.94 carat heart cut sapphire’Credit: Jessica Mccormack

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The Princess of Wales is said to have been given a diamond band as a push present from Prince WilliamCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Following the birth of their son Archie, who is now four, the Duke of Sussex reportedly bought Meghan a sapphire pinky ring.

According to Grazia: “Meghan Markle has several [pinky rings] in her collection, including a blue sapphire heart by Jessica McCormack, believed to be a ‘push present’ after Archie was born.”

We saw Meghan wear the exquisite pinky ring as she attended Wimbledon in July 2019.

The heart-shaped item is from Jessica McCormack’s Signature collection and is said to be “set with a 0.94 carat heart cut sapphire handcrafted in blackened 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold”.

However, it’s not the only item rumoured to be Meghan’s “push present” from Harry.

Some fans thought Meghan’s “third wedding ring” is a special gift to celebrate Archie’s birth.

Alongside Meghan’s gold banded three-stone engagement ring, which includes two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection, and her plain gold wedding band, the Duchess often wears another gold ring.

Some fans speculated that a pair of £10,000 diamond earrings – that the duchess wore to the Lion King premiere – had been given to her following Archie’s birth.

Push presents have “become a tradition in the royal family” over the years, according to royal etiquette expert Myka Meier.

Prince William is reported to have given Kate Middleton a £1,000 white gold eternity ring after the birth of their first son, George, which she wears on her wedding finger.

And he didn’t stop with that – as after Princess Charlotte’s birth, William is thought to have given his wife a pair of Kiki McDonough earrings.

What is a push present?

A push present is the name for a gift given to a woman by her partner, spouse or father of the baby, to congratulate her for giving birth.

Even though some women may have a c-section, a “push” present literally refers to the act of giving birth.

The present is intended to be a thank you and compensation for all the months of hard work that goes into a pregnancy.

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Myka told Fabulous before Archie’s birth: “Traditionally the push present, or gift given to celebrate the birth of a child, would be given bedside on the day of the birth from the father to the mother.

“I think Prince Harry will get Meghan a custom piece of jewellery, perhaps with the date of the birth or initials of the new royal baby to make it extra special.

“From the beginning of their relationship, they have used jewellery to keep close, with the duo wearing matching bracelets while Meghan was in Toronto and Prince Harry was in London.

Meghan Markle has several [pinky rings] in her collection, including a blue sapphire heart by Jessica McCormack, believed to be a ‘push present’ after Archie was born

Grazia

“Meghan is known to love jewellery as well, gifting it herself to her closest friends to show thanks on various occasions.”

“I believe Prince Harry will give a piece of keepsake jewellery that will publicly be worn the week of the birth. I think it will be gold, the Duchess’ favourite metal for jewellery, and likely a necklace or bracelet.”

Myka shared that push presents are typically given by a dad to a mum “to thank her for her sacrifice, to show appreciation for the labour, and congratulations for the baby’s arrival.”

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Kate’s gorgeous, classic ring is worth £1,400

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The delicate ring could be easily missed next to Kate’s sapphireCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Fans also speculated that Meghan’s £10,000 Nikos Koulis  earrings for the Lion King premiere could be a push presentCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Numerous stars are loving the pinky ring trend, including Blake LivelyCredit: Getty

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Victoria Beckham also showed off her pinky ring in her Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty

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Meghan also had a third band, which some people thought could be a push presentCredit: Alamy Live News