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VICTORIA Beckham has been swooning over her topless husband David’s rock-hard abs.

Posh Spice showed off the football legend doing an impressive handstand as they took on a couples’ workout.

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David Beckham does a handstand during a virtual workoutCredit: Instagram
“Early workout with my husband,” wrote Victoria.

“We love a virtual work out!

“Kisses @mrbobbyrich.”

Pointing to David’s abs, Victoria added: “And this is impressive.”

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David showed off his impressive bodyCredit: Instagram

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Victoria and David do couples’ workouts together
The couple have been holed up in their incredible £6million Cotswolds mansion for the past few weeks.

The gang also share their amazing home with their adorable cocker spaniels – Sage, Olive and Fig – who have definitely kept them company over the year.

But the power couple have also taken up the opportunity to spend the second lockdown looking after themselves.

David, 45, recently shared a snap of his leg – with 25 needles sticking out of it.

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The happy couple have been married since 1999Credit: Inbstagram
He was indulging in an acupuncture session, commonly used to treat chronic pain, but practitioners claim that it is good for treating everything from depression to migraines and fertility issues.

It’s not the first time the 45-year-old has shared his acupuncture session, having previously sworn the treatment is the “one thing” that repairs his muscles after working out.

Last week, the former England captain praised osteopath and acupuncturist James Davies, who was the Great Britain team therapist at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, as he shared another shot of his needle-covered leg.

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Becks showed off his impressive movesCredit: Instagram

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The power couple have been looking after themselves in lockdown

A US TV star has sung Meghan Markle’s praises and said she will continue to challenge the British monarchy.

Meghan Markle was praised by a TV star who claimed the former Suits actress still has a lot up her sleeve and will continue to shake up the Royal Family despite leaving the Firm.

The Duchess of Sussex quit her royal duties along husband Prince Harry in 2020 before they both moved to the US.

Ever since then, they’ve made a series of explosive claims against the royals, through interviews, their Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, and the duke’s memoir, Spare.

But now former The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks, who’s also an activist and an attorney in the US, spoke favourably of the duchess and the things she’s done ever since marrying into the Firm, the Mirror reports.

During a speech at the opening of the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center’s brand-new West Hollywood location, Ms Parks praised Meghan for trying to have her voice heard and representing the African-American community.

Meghan Markle was branded ‘iconic’ by a TV star (Image: Getty)

She said: “I think when you think about the Royal Family and hierarchy and being born into status and class, race has definitely played a part of that because African-Americans have not been a part of being born into royalty.

“So being honest about it, I’m sure they (the royals) never thought this discussion would be a part of their history, but the world is obviously evolving so quickly. And so now they do have a Meghan Markle and she represents a portion of the African-American community.

“So by her obviously vocalising what was going on with the Royal Family and with her situation with her marriage, I think people are obviously having hard discussions.”

The duchess sent shockwaves around the world in 2021 when, during her and Harry’s Oprah Winfrey interview, she alleged there was a member of the Firm who made comments about then-unborn Prince Archie’s skin colour.

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Meghan Markle accused the Royal Family of being racist during her Oprah Winfrey interview (Image: Getty)

Phaedra Parks spoke at a spa opening in California (Image: Getty)

The US attorney stressed that Meghan will continue to challenge the monarchy over race relations, saying: “Meghan Markle is very iconic because she did, she’s obviously the first woman of colour to marry into a Royal Family. I think she stood her ground.

“I think she’s very intelligent and I just see her, I mean, it’s historical what she has done and it’s their decisions have been historical.

“So I’m just excited to be at this moment in history where I can say I have seen an African-American president, a black woman enter into the royal family. And the best is obviously still to come.”

 

Meghan Markle and Princess Kate’s relationship was pushed to breaking point just days before the former actress married Prince Harry.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle apparently have a strained relationship. (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Archive/PA Images)

Meghan Markle and Kate, Princess of Wales experienced a significant wedding disagreement, involving tears and tense text messages, just days before the nuptials.

The Duchess of Sussex’s relationship with Princess Kate has reportedly been strained since Prince Harry introduced her to the Royal Family, and this rift was exacerbated in the lead up to Harry and Meghan’s May 2018 wedding day.

It was reported that the former Suits actress had reduced Kate to tears over a dispute concerning Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress, and palace officials have so far declined to deny these allegations, thereby adding fuel to the rumour mill.

The real story behind Meghan and Kate’s flower girl dress feud was revealed by an insider close to Kate and William.

They reportedly told Tatler magazine in 2020 that the argument was about whether the flower girls should wear tights due to the warm weather on the beautiful May day when Harry and Meghan got married.

Don’t miss… William and Kate tease new film as they mark Mental Health Awareness Week [LATEST]

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle used to attend engagements together (Image: Nic Bothma/PA Archive/PA Images)

While Kate believed they should adhere to Royal protocol and wear tights, Meghan disagreed because of the heat, leading to a fallout between the two women.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, addressed the reported feud between Meghan and Kate. Meghan clarified that it was her sister-in-law who initiated the disagreement, which has since been resolved.

“A few days before the wedding she was upset about something, pertaining to, yes, the issue was correct, about flower girl dresses, and it made me cry, and it really hurt my feelings,” Meghan disclosed, reports the Mirror.

“It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something, but she owned it and she apologised and she brought me flowers and a note apologising, and she did what I would do if I knew that I’d hurt someone, right, to just take accountability for it,” she continued

Princes William and Harry with Meghan and Kate. (Image: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese)

Meghan’s annoyance wasn’t directed at Kate, but rather at palace officials who failed to quash the rumours surrounding the dispute.

“What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn’t do but that happened to me,” she lamented.

Harry comments on the flower girl dress controversy.

Royal enthusiasts were left gobsmacked when Harry revealed an alleged text exchange between Kate and Meghan in his memoir, Spare, published last year.

Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte (Image: PA)

The Duke of Sussex detailed a dispute over the flower girl dresses for his wedding, explaining that Kate was upset because Princess Charlotte’s dress was “too baggy”.

Despite the fact that Harry and Meghan weren’t surprised by the ill-fitting dresses – they were hand-sewn in France without any fittings – he remembered Kate expressing her frustration not only about the oversized dress but also about Charlotte’s tears.

“Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home,” Kate reportedly wrote, to which Meghan responded: “Right, and I told you the tailor has been standing by since 8am.Here. At KP (Kensington Palace). Can you take Charlotte to have it altered, as the other mums are doing? ”

Kate then insisted: “No, all the dresses need to be remade.”

Meghan allegedly replied: “I’m not sure what else to say. If the dress doesn’t fit then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day.”

To this, Kate tersely responded: “Fine.”

Harry added that Kate informed Meghan she had even consulted her own wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton, about the issue, who agreed with Kate.

“Meg asked if Kate was aware of what was going on right now. With her father. Kate said she was well aware, but the dresses. And the wedding is in four days! ” Harry penned.

 

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (L) stands on the steps holding the hand of her mother Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (R) after attending the wedding ceremony of Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and US actress Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Jane BarlowJANE BARLOW/AFP/Getty Images (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

“Yes, Kate, I know,” Meghan supposedly retorted.

Harry has stated that Kate had issues with how Meghan was organising their wedding, including her desire for a pageboy party. “It went back and forth,” he recollected.

The Duke found Meghan “on the floor sobbing” after receiving tense text messages from Kate but reassured his fiancee that his sister-in-law “hadn’t meant any harm”.

The next day, Princess Diana’s daughter-in-law sent Meghan an apology in the form of flowers and a card.

However, it remains unclear whether the dress was adjusted or made again.

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take to their Sussex website to thank Nigeria for the “first of many memorable trips”.

Meghan and Harry appear to hint that more royal tour-style trips are on the way (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hinted that more imitation royal tours are on the way, following their recent trip to Nigeria.

Leaving Abuja on Monday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived back in California having spent three-days visiting Nigeria – in what has been dubbed a “quasi royal tour”.

In a press release posted on their Sussex.com website, Meghan and Harry hailed their time in Nigeria as “unforgettable” – a visit that came from the military’s invitation.

Alongside a photograph of the couple in Nigeria, their statement read: “The Duke and Duchess would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the event organisers, military officials and the whole Nigerian community for their tremendous hospitality and the first of many memorable trips.”

Appearing to hint that further royal tour-style trips are in the works, the couple gave a telling six-word statement, describing Nigeria as “the first of many memorable trips”.

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Harry and Meghan have been accused of treating their recent visit to Nigeria like a “royal tour”, with some similarities showing between the two.

During their trip, the couple attended events related to Harry’s Invictus Games, which Nigeria is hoping to host in the future.

Meghan and Harry were welcomed at the Lagos State Government House, and were greeted by military officials at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

Taking a solo trip away from her husband, Meghan also co-hosted an event on women in leadership in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on May 11.

READ MORE Harry and Meghan break silence after Archewell charity ruled ‘delinquent’

Meghan and Harry were in Nigeria for three days (Image: GETTY)

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As the pair head back to the US, they will undoubtedly be excited to reunite with their two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.

Whilst they were in Nigeria, Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland was thought to be looking after her grandchildren, as reported by the Mail.

Meghan addressed the Nigerian crowds with an emotional message as she mentioned her children during a touching speech.

During the visit that coincided with Mother’s Day in America, the mother-of-two admitted that they were “missing” Archie – who celebrated his fifth birthday last week – and Lilibet.

Meghan and Harry called their visit to Nigeria ‘unforgettable’ (Image: GETTY)

Speaking to the crowd, Meghan said: “It feels appropriate that although of course we are missing our children, I’m missing my babies, it feels very appropriate to be in the motherland and amongst family.”

Meghan also gave rare updates on their rarely-seen children during the trip, sharing how becoming a mother was always “a dream of mine”.

At a panel on women’s leadership, Meghan shared: “Being a mom has always been a dream of mine and I’m so fortunate that we have two beautiful, healthy, very chatty, sweet children. I love being a mom.”

 

Meghan Markle’s mantra is that women can change the world. 

And after her presidential-like visit to her adopted ‘homeland’ of Nigeria, her supporters increasingly believe she is destined to do it herself from the Oval Office.

Meghan’s Suits co-star Erika Alexander declared this week that the Duchess of Sussex is ‘heading to the White House‘, predicting she is the activist and advocate for women with the courage to be the Leader of the Free World.

Experts have told MailOnline that Meghan could be just a few steps from the US Presidency – as long as she takes inspiration from one of her own most vocal critics, Donald Trump, and her British prince husband is willing to become an American.

Eminent historian Christopher Phelps, an expert on US politics, told MailOnline today: ‘It would be a great story. The British prince who loved her so much he gave up his British citizenship to become an American. There would be no requirement for him to do it – but he would have to if she wanted to have any credibility’.

Her pseudo-royal tour to self-proclaimed ‘homeland’ Nigeria with Prince Harry has been viewed by some as a potential springboard for her political career.

One insider at the top of politics in liberal California told MailOnline today that the Duchess may be plotting a Donald Trump-inspired ‘queue jump’ into high office – amid speculation the US Presidency could be her ultimate aim. Mr Trump used The Apprentice to boost his profile and Fox News as a platform for his political views before he won the Republican presidential nomination. He is the only American president to have no previous political service.

‘She [Meghan] has her eyes on the prize’, the source said.

But another politico warned: ‘The buy-your-success thing is more suited as a Republican play. Meghan has political ambitions but like most celebrities or business people, they are not ready to put in the graft to get there. Maybe Oprah Winfrey could pull it off. But she’s put in the hard yards in other ways. Meghan hasn’t done anything’.

Professor Phelps, who teaches at the University of Nottingham in England, said parallels can be drawn between the former Suits star and ex-actor Ronald Reagan, who was Governor of California before he served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Arnold Schwarzenegger also made the transition from showbiz to politics.

‘Her name will open doors but you can’t just say “You all know who I am – vote for me” – she will need to have some substance on policy. Americans want to know how she would protect their jobs, where she stand of tax and to tackle crime in their neighbourhoods’, he said.

As speculation about her political ambitions continue, this is how the Duchess of Sussex could use her profile to build a grassroots campaign to take her to Washington – and the challenges she would face on the way.

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Meghan Markle’s potential path to the White House

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Harry and Meghan visit the Giants of Africa charity at Ilupeju Senior Grammar School on May 12, 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria. The trip last week has been branded both royal and presidential, and a potential springboard to high office

Step 1: Increased activism in the US after ‘secret’ visit to Uvalde

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, places flowers as she mourns at a makeshift memorial outside Uvalde County Courthouse in Uvalde, Texas, on May 26, 2022

Experts believe that Meghan Markle’s campaigning for a career in politics began when she turned up in Uvalde after tragedy struck.

Ms Markle was spotted in May 2022 laying a bouquet of white roses at a makeshift memorial outside the Uvalde County Courthouse, not far from the scene of the senseless murders at Robb Elementary School.

She also stopped by an Uvalde community center that is hosting a blood drive, where she toured the facility and donated food, a volunteer there told DailyMail.com. ‘She did not want anybody to know who she was,’ the person said.

But nevertheless her appearance in Texas, flying in from her home in California and back again by private jet, made headlines around the world.

Meghan has not spoken publicly on gun ownership, but in 2015 was quoted in a book as being pro controls.

Step 2: Support for women’s and LGBT+ groups

Her pseudo-royal tour to Nigeria last week, her increasing presence at Invictus events and her surprise appearance in Uvalde all point to a foray into politics not being over.

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Meghan supporting the Harvest Home charity in California

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Harry and his wife kiss as she presents his polo team with the trophy for winning the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge to Benefit Sentebale

Experts predict that if high office is her aim, increasing public support for women’s rights, minority groups and the LGBTQ+ communities must follow, and even taking over a related charity to show Americans that ‘she can actually run something’.

Last year she spent International Women’s Day supporting an organisation that helps expectant mothers and their children.

While there is no doubting her commitment to women’s issues, Professor Christopher Phelps has said that women, in particular, are key voters to  target, especially for Democrats.

‘The support and high turnout from women is crucial to the Democrats. Although Meghan has been a vocal supporter of them, they are no pushover’, he said.

‘She would also need to get support from labour groups and unions, women and especially black women as well as LGBT groups. There will be rivals with long standing relationships with them’.

But a senior political source told MailOnline that Meghan must do more.

‘Why would the United Auto Workers put boots on the ground for her? She hasn’t done anything for them. Democrats are all grass roots and organising’, they said.

Step 3: Ramp up Invictus appearances

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hug Team United Kingdom competitor Lisa Johnston at the Invictus Games in The Hague

A greater role in the Invictus Games could also be beneficial for Meghan because of its support for military heroes.

The Duchess of Sussex may not have accompanied Harry to the UK for the Invictus Games anniversary event this week because she is afraid that she will be booed by the British public again, a royal expert claimed.

But she has been by her husband’s side at the Games themselves and very hands on in the build up to the first winter Invictus in Canada next year.

An insider said: ‘Harry deserves a lot of credit for his Invictus Games and his work with veterans. Meghan’s supported him and it reflects well on her too’.

Step 4: More faux-royal tours of the world

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry insist that their trip to Nigeria was not a royal tour.

But from the moment they stood for the British national anthem and attended red carpet events, many saw it differently.

In fact, never mind faux-royal, the final leg of Harry and Meghan’s tour of Nigeria seemed decidedly presidential.

From the moment they touched down in Lagos, the Duke and Duchess were shadowed White House-fashion by secret servicemen muttering into earpieces, armed police officers and scowling special forces soldiers.

Not to mention their own, much smaller security team – and a smattering of anxious-looking female aides in shift dresses and Adidas trainers who trailed the Duchess.

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Meghan smiles as she receives flowers during a sitting volleyball match in Abuja last Saturday

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Lagos State Governor’s House in Nigeria last Sunday

Meghan and Harry were so delighted by the reception they received on their trip to Nigeria that they are planning more quasi-royal tours, a source has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the country for three days last week to promote mental health initiatives and the Invictus Games, the sporting event Harry, 39, founded for wounded military veterans.

The couple visited a local charity and met with military leaders, injured soldiers and school children, all of whom welcomed them smiles and enthusiasm.

A California politico told MailOnline: ‘It felt like the first the first major step towards Meghan becoming a stateswoman. Harry took a back seat. He was her First Lady, so to speak’.

Step 5: Follow the Trump playbook and take inspiration from Ronald Reagan

Donald Trump could be an unlikely inspiration to Meghan Markle – a woman he has widely criticised.

Trump successfully made the transition from businessman and TV star to the world’s most powerful politician – using TV appearances to increase his fame and discuss his politics.

And Meghan Markle was to make it to the White House, she wouldn’t be the first California star to do it.

Reagan was Governor of California before he served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. Arnold Schwarzenegger was also Governor.

‘There is precedent for this with Ronald Reagan. It can be done. But it has to be more than a name. There has to be a vision for the country. Americans will need convincing and want to see the policies’, Prof Phelps said.

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Donald Trump was a famous businessman but he became a global superstar because of The Apprentice. Experts say this platform helped him air his politics and get to the White House

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US President Ronald Reagan (L) greets Margaret Thatcher. Reagan went to acting star to the White House – after being Governor of California

But the academic said there is a clear difference – the American public already knew where both actors stood on policy.

‘Reagan had spent years on the speaking circuit and had honed his message and ideology’, he said.

Trump was a household name in America before his political career. But The Apprentice made him famous around the world.

Prof Phelps said: ‘There is no doubt that her name brings recognition. But what Donald Trump did was to protect and cultivate his media image. He would pick up the phone to journalists to plant favourable stories in the press.

‘He became a household name across America and the world because of his role in the Apprentice. And then he was a regular on Fox News talking politics.

‘I don’t think she needs a TV show – but she will need to tell the world what she stands for. Many Americans will wonder: Does Meghan have the experience? Has she actually ever sat on boards or run organisations?’

Step 6: Millionaires Meghan and Harry need to start fundraising (with a little help from rich friends)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are not rich enough to fund a White House winning political campaign.

Despite living in a multi-million dollar mansion in Montecito, and having made a fortune from Netflix, Spotify and Spare – they need to get more cash.

The deep pockets of friends such as Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry will help, if they are willing.

The success of Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand would also be crucial to funding any campaign, as would Harry’s own personal wealth.

‘You need to have very deep pockets to support a political campaign. She will need support from the donor class and for them to provide her with a campaign war chest’, Prof Phelps said.

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The deep pockets and profiles of Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey could be needed. The success of her American Riviera Orchard brand would also be crucial

‘Both the left and right also rely on smaller donations from ardent supporters willing to give $25 of their own money to support a politician. On its own it is not a large amount of money – but it can add up to millions of dollars’.

A source in California said that with the launch of American Riviera Orchard the Duchess of Sussex is ‘hedging her bets’ between business and politics -but it’s an approach that will fail if she is not willing to do ‘any hard yards’.

‘The whole point of climbing the political ladder is building a base and coalition as you advance. So when it comes to running for Senate, you have political resources to draw on that puts an army out on precinct walks, endorsements that carry a constituency, and influencers who can lock up those endorsements. Name recognition and self-funding just isn’t enough 99% of the time’, the said.

Step 7: Grab a safe democratic seat (but get ready for an almighty battle)

Prof Phelps believes that Meghan might consider an elected role at a county or city level ‘beneath her’.

With a safe seat in the House of Representatives or perhaps the Senate the likeliest route to Washington before a tilt at the presidency could be possible.

It has been long reported that confirmed Meghan, with Harry, has been ‘networking among senior Democrats’ with a view to building a grass roots campaign.

Last year Meghan was touted as a candidate to fill Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein’s safe seat after she died aged 90.

Rumours were abound that she and Prince Harry reportedly held a virtual hour-long meeting with the state’s liberal Governor Gavin Newsom – but he picked another candidate.

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AMeghan (centre, with Prince Harry, left) has reportedly been ‘networking among senior Democrats’ with a view to building a grass roots campaign to fuel her political ambitions – with speculation the US Presidency her ultimate aim

Prof Phelps said: ‘There are plenty of safe seats for Democrats in California – but getting the nomination itself can be hard.

‘Rivals, many who have dedicated their lives to the party, are not going to say: “Oh well it’s Meghan Markle so I will stand aside”.’

A senior political source said it will be hard for Meghan. But if she gets through then the sky is the limit.

But they warned that there is a dim view of her in Joe Biden’s party because she ‘hasn’t done anything’ and isn’t willing to ‘graft’.

‘I just don’t see a path to jumping the queue.  I see it all the time – they don’t want to run for city council, and then move up the political ladder. They think they can go straight in at the top. It works about 1 per cent of the time’, they said.

The source added: ‘She’ll get killed [off] by savvy politicos who’ve done the hard yards’.

Step 8: Secure endorsement by party grandee (but the Obamas may not be keen)

Meghan and her team would also need to grab a big-name endorsement that could secure her a safe senate seat and catapult her towards Washington.

The Obamas have been viewed as the ideal people to do it – but despite Barack supporting Harry and Invictus – their relationship appears to have cooled.

In 2021 it was reported that Meghan Markle ‘desperately wanted’ to attend Barack Obama’s 60th birthday party but was not included on the guest list.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not attend the lavish do thrown by the former US president at his seven-bedroom £8million holiday home in Martha’s Vineyard.

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Barack Obama and Meghan Markle (briefly) meet in London

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Prince Harry watches the Wheelchair Basketball finals with Barack Obama at the Invictus Games 2017 in Canada

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Meghan’s friend CBS This Morning host Gayle King, George Clooney and Jay-Z and Beyoncé all did.

But according to royal expert and author Angela Levin, who wrote Harry: Biography of a Prince, it is thought that Barack and Michelle never included Harry and Meghan on the 475 strong guest-list.

If the Obamas didn’t back the bid – another possibility could be grandee Nancy Pelosi.

Meghan wrote an open letter to Pelosi and then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to argue for fairer paid parental leave.

‘At an alarming rate, millions of women dropped out of the workforce, staying home with their kids as schools and daycares were closed, and looking after loved ones full-time. The working mom or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at a great cost’, Meghan wrote.

But it emerged in 2022 that members of Pelosi’s office ‘laughed’ at the suggestion Meghan could make it in politics.

Step 9: Harry MUST become an American citizen if Meghan wants to be President

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The Duke of Sussex said to ABC in Whistler recently he has ‘considered’ becoming a US citizen, and said he is ‘loving every single day’ of his life in California with Meghan Markle. Experts believe he must do it if she is to enter politics

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Melania Trump, born in Slovenia, became a naturalised American citizen.

If Meghan were to defy the odds, Harry would have to become an American citizen if his wife was serious about making it to the White House.

Professor Christopher Phelps said Meghan would have no credibility if he didn’t give up his British citizenship.

‘It would be a great story. The British prince who loved her so much he gave up his British citizenship to become an American. There would be no requirement for him to do it – but he would have to if she wanted to have any credibility’, he said.

Melania Trump was born outside the US – only the second First Lady in this position after Louisa Adams, the British-born wife of John Quincy Adams, America’s sixth president between 1825 and 1829.

Melania, born in Slovenia, became a naturalised American citizen.

Meghan Markle reportedly fears her son Archie will grow up to idealise his British roots and she doesn’t want the UK to become his ‘longed-for fantasy.

The Duchess of Sussex doesn’t want the UK to become a “longed-for fantasy” (Image: Getty Images)

Meghan Markle reportedly fears the UK will become a “longed-for fantasy” her son, Prince Archie.

The Duchess of Sussex is concerned her son – who is said to “love the idea that his grandad lives in a castle” – to romanticise his British heritage, says a royal expert.

In 2020, Meghan and Harry relocated to the United States with their son, stepping away from their senior royal duties. They welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet, in their new homeland the following year.

Now living in the affluent Montecito neighbourhood within their £11m mansion, the Sussexes are raising their two children away from the limelight. However, there are reports that Meghan fears Archie’s birthplace might become an object of fascination for him.

King Charles is desperate to show he cares (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Royal author and commentator Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle and Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or similar extravagant present will only increase Archie’s growing interest in his royal connections.

“She doesn’t want Britain to become a longed-for fantasy for her son so she had been pushing Harry to insist that his father get Archie a simple present.

“But Charles is desperate to show he cares and he wants to be an indulgent grandparent, partly because he has mellowed over the years .

King Charles lives at Clarence House in London (Image: Getty)

“King Charles hasn’t seen his grandson Archie since 2022 and Archie really misses him – many of Archie’s books are about kings, princesses and castles and he knows enough to know that his grandfather lives in a castle.”

This follows the Sussexes’ recent 72-hour whirlwind tour of Nigeria.

During their visit to the West African nation, Meghan, who has Nigerian ancestry, was bestowed with the title of Ada Mazi, translating to “daughter of an aristocrat”, a mark of respect from the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.

Meghan Markle’s dad tells ‘arrogant’ Prince Harry to ‘man up’

Thomas Markle admitted making some mistakes but said his son-in-law Prince Harry needs to “man up and get over it” before he gets “louder”.

Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas has told “arrogant” Prince Harry to “man up” and issued a bold warning to his daughter.

The 74-year-old threatened to continue speaking out about Meghan if she and husband Harry do not speak to him soon, The Sun reports.

He admitted some mistakes but said his son-in-law needs to “man up and get over it” before he gets “louder”.

The pair haven’t spoken to the Mexico-based former Hollywood lighting director since they got married, but he continues to reach out.

The Prince had urged Thomas not to speak to the press — but he was caught co-operating with a paparazzi photographer.

Harry told him: “This is what happens when you don’t listen to what we tell you to do.”

But Thomas said: “I’ll keep talking and I’ll probably get louder. Meghan and Harry’s silence empowers all the crazy tweets and insults against me and my family.”

Thomas Markle was married to Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in 1979 but they divorced in 1988. Picture: Instagram
Thomas admits he has made mistakes in the past, but said he is keen to make amends. He also hopes for an eventual first meeting with Harry.

But today his message to him is: “Man up and get over it.

“If I’m the first person who’s insulted you or hurt your feelings, you’ve got a long way to go.

“He’s human just like the rest of us. I feel that he feels he is above everyone else and that he has a right to talk down to people. And I cannot accept that. It feels like arrogance.”

He had hoped to join Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland at the wedding in Windsor last year but suffered a heart attack shortly before. And while recovering in hospital, he hung up on Harry, 34, during a heated row.

Thomas, also father to Tom Jr, 51, and daughter Samantha, 53, said: “I’ve been quiet long enough.

“If they ever want to speak to me, maybe I’ll quieten down a little bit. But in the meantime I’m not going to become a monk in a monastery and take a vow of silence.

“The bottom line is that I’ve done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment. I cannot cut my tongue out and never speak again. I can’t shut up because they have opened the door for a million people to criticise me and my family.”

He recently urged his daughter to repair her rumoured rift with the Duchess of Cambridge, saying: “This just isn’t like her.”

Meghan has been accused of reducing Kate to tears at a bridesmaid dress fitting before the royal wedding. And there has been talk of a rift between Harry and his brother William and their wives.

There are rumours of a royal rift between the so-called Fab Four.
Meghan has also been accused of bombarding staff with 5am emails and displaying a demanding attitude toward staff — earning her the nickname “Duchess Difficult”.

But Thomas, 74, said: “If there is any animosity between Meghan and Kate they should put their differences aside. I’m very upset by the criticism Meghan is getting.

“I don’t think she deserves it and I don’t think she is doing one third of the things she is being accused of doing.

“I’m not buying that she made Kate cry. First off, I think Kate is a stronger woman than that.

“I think Kate also knows she is in a stronger power position than Meghan is. Kate’s the hero mother. I can’t see her being that weak. No woman is who pops out a kid then walks out of hospital the same day.

“I don’t think she’s afraid of anyone. And I don’t believe that Meghan is trying to hurt her in any shape or form. But at the moment I cannot call Meghan and say ‘What is going on? How can I help you?’

“I need to know what the hell is happening and why it is happening. I need to know why she is being bashed every day.”

Thomas, speaking exclusively to The Sun from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, said the wall of silence from Meghan was piling misery on him and the rest of his family.

He said: “This whole thing should have been one of the proudest moments of my life.

“Now it’s like a dream that has turned into a nightmare. The royals and Meghan can help end this nightmare by simply giving me a call. To this day, I cannot think of anything I’ve done to deserve how I’m being treated now.

“I’ve been a good father I’ve done nothing wrong. Axe murderers kill 19 people and their daughters still come and visit them in prison.

“It’s just incomprehensible for Meghan to treat me this way.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the drought affected area of Dubbo in central west NSW last year. Picture: Toby Zerna
But despite the criticism of Meghan, 37, Thomas thinks she has settled into royal life.

And he urged her new family to let her be herself. He said: “I now see her doing things she is comfortable with. I see her reaching out to people and hugging kids — because that is who she is.

“If she’s able to continue doing that, it’s going to be fine — it takes away a little of the stuffiness.”

He also said he is proud of seeing pregnant Meghan cradling her bump — and said he would love to play a part in the child’s life.

But while Thomas remains proud of Meghan, he said he did not even get a Christmas card from her.

He added: “On Christmas Day I visited some friends and received a lot of phone calls from every relative I have — except my daughter. I was prepared for it.”

He said he feels the need to defend himself against online trolls attacking and misquoting him.

He said: “One journalist claimed he had done a nine-hour interview with me. He came to pick me up for dinner with a female companion and was very unprofessional. I made him promise nothing could be used in a story.

“The next day a story appeared. I do not want Harry and Meghan to believe I did the interview. They are the ones that told me not to believe everything you read.

“In truth, there are a few journalists I have grown to trust and I use them to speak out from time to time.

Thomas Markle has spoken out on UK TV on several occasions.
“I only speak because of the deadly silence from Meghan and the royals. No one was standing up for my family — so I had to.”

Thomas ended his interview by saying he plans to write a book “about the good years with my daughter and my fond memories of her growing up”.

But the thing he wants most is reconciliation. He said: “I miss Meghan a lot. She was a big part of my life up until she met Harry.

“But I don’t want pity. I remember my beautiful daughter from the time she was born.

“If she called me right now I would simply say ‘How have you been? I am glad to hear from you’.”

Royal staff’s nickname for Meghan Markle revealed

The Duchess of Sussex has been likened to a famous female TV character because of her “controlling” reputation.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been nicknamed ‘Monica and Chandler’ by royal staff — because of the former actress’ controlling reputation.

The Duchess has been twinned with the Friends character, played by Courteney Cox, who is famed for being OCD-level clean and bossy.

It comes amid a raft of rumours about Meghan’s behaviour and relationship with other royals.

There is increasing concern over her conducting royal affairs on her own and under the radar.

Meghan Markle has been likened to Friends character Monica. Picture: Chris Jackson
The strong-willed royal newcomer, 37, has recently watched Michelle Obama, met with academics and made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards.

Plus, Harry and Meghan are plagued with speculation about a rift with Prince William and Kate.

The couple are also set to snub the traditional Christmas shoot after Meghan raised concerns about killing “defenceless animals”.

Now, below stairs staff have dubbed them Monica and Chandler in reaction to her domineering persona and his likeable, but submissive attitude, according to the Daily Mail.

The Sussexes will be with the Queen at Sandringham amid ongoing rumours of a rift between the two royal couples.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing a barrage of bad headlines. Picture: Chris Jackson

Courteney Cox as Monica Geller and Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing
Harry and soon-to-be-mum Meghan turned down the option of staying at Wills and Kate’s Norfolk home Anmer Hall for Christmas, where they had a “fantastic” time with the children last year.

The two brothers have reportedly fallen out while Kate was said to have been left in tears over ­Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress for Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May.

The Sun previously revealed Harry and Meghan, are moving to Windsor — more than 30 miles away from Wills and Kate, both 36, in Kensington Palace.

The five-year-old prince is ‘aware’ that his grandfather, King Charles, lives in a castle and ‘wants to accompany Prince Harry to the UK’, an expert said.

Prince Archie is reportedly “desperate” to see his grandfather, King Charles (Image: Getty)

A young Prince Archie is “desperate” to be reunited with his grandfather, King Charles, back in Britain, an expert has claimed. Since stepping down from their senior roles and moving across the pond, Prince Harry and Meghan have been raising Prince Archie, five, and their daughter, Princess Lilibet, two, in the lavish neighbourhood of Montecito, California.

Royal author and expert, Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “King Charles hasn’t seen his grandson Archie since 2022 and Archie really misses him – many of Archie’s books are about kings, princesses and castles and he knows enough to know that his grandfather lives in a castle.”

He added: “He is apparently desperate to come to the UK with his father, but Meghan and Harry don’t want to encourage this.”

The royal author went on to explain that the royal duo is afraid the UK will become a “longed-for-fantasy” for the young Prince who might “love the idea” that his grandfather lives in a castle.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s thinly-veiled swipe at royals was brutal ‘parting shot’

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Meghan fears the UK will be a “longed-for fantasy” for Prince Archie (Image: Getty)

Prince Archie celebrated his fifth birthday this month on May 6, and was born at London’s Portland Hospital in 2019 before moving to the US the following year.

Meghan and Harry have made very few public appearances with their children since their move to the US, but have delighted fans with some personal pictures and footage of Archie and his younger sister, Lilibet, in their Netflix series in 2022.

Two days after his birth, the couple showed off their newborn to the world in a photocall at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. The proud parents, cradling baby Archie, spoke movingly of their “little bundle of joy”.

Shortly after Archie’s fifth birthday this year, Harry and Meghan completed a 72-hour whirlwind tour of Nigeria. During their visit to the West African nation, Meghan, who has Nigerian ancestry, was bestowed with the title of Ada Mazi, translating to “daughter of an aristocrat”, a mark of respect from the Ancient Arochukwu Kingdom.

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Meghan mentioned she was missing her children on Mother’s Day (Image: Getty)

Last year, Nigeria became the first African country to take part in the Invictus Games, a sporting competition for wounded military personnel and veterans, co-founded by Prince Harry in 2014.

The couple were in Nigeria to continue the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games and they were invited to the West African nation by its military, with their three-day visit intended to promote mental health for soldiers and empower young people.

The visit coincided with Mother’s Day in America – in which the Duchess would not have been present for in California to be with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Addressing her audience, she said the pair were missing their children.

She told the crowds: “It feels appropriate that although of course we are missing our children, I’m missing my babies, it feels very appropriate to be in the motherland and amongst family.”

Prince Harry also spoke at the gathering and said: “Thank you for welcoming my wife and myself to Nigeria. It’s our first visit. It certainly won’t be our last. Thank you for the naming ceremony. I don’t know how I got dragged into that as well, but to be able to witness it as well next to my wife, it means a huge amount to both of us but especially her, so thank you for that.”

Terrible Prince Harry prediction comes true

The Duke of Sussex made a stunning prediction in an interview eight years ago, never imagining what surprises his future would hold.

A month before the 2016 Dean Street Townhouse drinks that would change the course of royal history, drinks involving Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and a certain Suits actress, he granted a rare interview to the Sunday Times’ royal editor Roya Nikkhah.

During the sit down conducted at Kensington Palace, and ahead of him travelling to Florida

for the Invictus Games, Harry said: “I’m in this privileged position and I will use it for as long as I can, or until I become boring, or until George ends up becoming more interesting”.

That George reference created lots of noise – it felt hugely refreshing to hear a spare seemingly so sanguine and at peace with what lay ahead for him. (Let’s all enjoy a wry ‘hah!’ shall we?)

While George is a long way off being “more interesting” than his uncle, what Harry told Nikkhah next is spooky.

The duke said: “There’s nothing worse than going through a period in your life where you’re making a massive difference and then suddenly, for whatever reason it is – whether it’s media or the public perception of you – you drop off. You want to make a difference but nobody’s listening to you.”

Talk about accidentally manifesting something. Harry, circa 2024, is a man who has “dropped off”.

Call it irony or a cruel twist of fate or proof we really are “the stars’s tennis balls” but the one thing that Harry clearly feared back then has ended up coming true, only it was not George or his inevitable slide down the line of succession that caused it. This was his own

handiwork.

Since taking himself off the royal chessboard, he has yet to launch any large scale, meaty

projects that can equal the sort of work he was doing under the palace umbrella.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive in Lagos, Nigeria. Picture: Andrew Esiebo/Getty Images for The Archewell Foundation
This month, Harry and wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex undertook their first post-Megxit home-brand royal tour, travelling to Nigeria in support of his extraordinary Invictus Games. It was the sort of rip-roaring success of a foreign sortie that courtiers must go to sleep fantasising about.

Harry might no longer get to have the Westminster Abbey bells rung on his birthday but for his work on Invictus, he bloody well deserves it.

But. Put the sporting event to one side – an event it should be noted that was incubated and launched under the auspices (and financial support) of William, Harry and Kate’s then shared Royal Foundation – and what exactly has Harry done that even vaguely begins to match up since then?

More broadly, in the last four years since ditching his royal platform, has Harry continued to make a “massive difference”?

Has Harry made a massive difference? Picture: Kola Sulaimon/AFP
Along with the duke’s continued, unswerving support of Invictus, his achievements since landing in the US have tended to be far less large-scale and high-profile. He and Meghan, via their Archewell Foundation, have added in causes such as combating misinformation, making online spaces safer, mental health and community good works to their mainstay issues (mental health, veterans and gender equality). Let the record show, all of this work is absolutely valuable and laudable.

The sticking point here is scale and impact.

In terms of non-Invictus work, does 2024 Harry still matter as much as 2016 Harry? Does his voice still carry the same sway and reach as far? Does the Duke of Sussex still have the same

power to change lives and to help in the way that he has in the past?

Now that he has gotten all the freedom he could ever have dreamed of, has that come at the expense of still being able to make a “massive difference”?

It’s hard to look at the 39-year-old father-of-two now and to not think that the very concern he explained to Nikkhah back in 2016 has ended up coming true.

In part, that’s down to logistics – the money, the staff and the incredible power to have people take your calls and answer your emails when it’s from a royal address are hard to beat. Lacking any official position, vast wodges of funding and a long-established office full of experienced hands, Harry is on something of a back foot.

Pictured here in April 2016, Harry was participating in a campaign called Heads Together. Picture: Nicky J Sims/Getty Images for Royal Foundation
But there is a bigger existential question here too. If the monarchy has not quite worked out what do with spares (besides letting them plunge headfirst into vats of claret or send them off to have a go on the crusades), then no one, not even Harry it seems, has quite worked out what to do with a spare who has taken himself off to go freelance in California.

2024 Harry is a man who, having emancipated himself from the pinstriped prison of royal life, has found himself struggling to find his footing and a redefined, solid public identity.

Still, that’s not to say if he had stayed in the UK things would be perfect either, because for the Duke of Sussex, there is a bit of a quality of damned-if-does, damned-if-he-doesn’t element here too.

In another photo from 2016, it makes us wonder if Harry is struggling to find his footing these days. Picture: Bruce Adams/Pool/AFP
If he and Meghan had remained in the UK and if King Charles had never had to learn what a

‘Netflix’ was then the duke would now be facing an oblique future also. If Buckingham Palace has a manila folder marked ‘ideas for what to do with spares’ tucked away in a forgotten filing cabinet somewhere, it would seem to be empty save for a couple of dead flies, a post-it note with a big question mark and an Annabel’s drinks receipt from 1984.

This puzzle, of what to do with spares, is one that Crown Inc better hurry up and find an answer to before Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arrive in adulthood.

Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and King Charles III on the balcony of Buckingham Palace last year. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Speaking to the Telegraph last year, he said that “though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare. And that hurts, that worries me.”

Back in 2016, the duke foretold and foresaw that a day would come when he no longer mattered in the same way and to the same degree. If only he knew how right he would accidentally turn out to be.

Daniela Elser is a writer, editor and a royal commentator with more than 15 years’ experience working with a number of Australia’s leading media titles.