Royal Family: Meghan Markle receives 'new title' after making major decision

Prince Harry’s former Army training partner, Dean Stott, claimed the Duke has found it hard to be so far from the UK in the wake of King Charles’s cancer prognosis.

Stott and Harry met during boot camp when the Duke of Sussex was just 22. As the now 39-year-old eases into middle age, his old friend claimed he is now missing his family.

All the secrets behind Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson have been revealed, from local flowers to historic tiaras.

The couple got married on Friday at Chester Cathedral with 400 guests in attendance and thousands more lining the streets to catch a glimpse of their big day.

The cathedral is close to Eaton Hall, the Grosvenor's family home and reportedly where the newlyweds will live. A spokesman for the cathedral said "it means a lot" to the couple to be able to tie the knot there.

Queen Camilla has given an update on King Charles' health - and his stubborn attitude following his cancer diagnosis.

The Queen, smiling as she shook hands with celebrities at Hampton Court Palace tonight, was quizzed by hit novelist Lee Child about how her husband is doing.

Camilla had moments earlier arrived at the Palace in London for the second annual Queen's Reading Room Literary Festival, which she founded with a charity in 2023 to promote the benefits of books and reading.

After rubbing shoulders with authors including Harlan Coben, the Queen gave a health update on King Charles to Lee Child, British author of a string of page turners including the Jack Reacher series.

The Queen told author Lee Child that the King is “doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told”, Child said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may not be attending this year's Trooping the Colour, but one royal expert suggests they won't be entirely out of the spotlight.

The King's Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, is set for Saturday, June 15, with a start time of 10:20am.

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield has noted that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex often coincide their announcements with other Royal Family events. For instance, Meghan launched her new website, American Riviera Orchard, on the same day Prince William was presenting at The Diana Award.

Schofield, host of To Di For Daily, speculated: "I would not be surprised if we saw American Rivera Orchard launch a product around Trooping the Colour."

Prince Harry did not attend his good friend the Duke of Westminster's wedding on Friday in what one royal expert has called a "very sad" moment.

Hugh Grosvenor married his girlfriend of two years Olivia Henson at a lavish ceremony Chester Cathedral that was attended by Prince William but not his brother.

This snub came as a surprise to many as the Duke of Sussex shared a much closer relationship with the groom, but reportedly chose to stay at home in California with Meghan Markle so attention wasn't detracted from the couple's big day.

There was also the added awkwardness of Prince Harry having to interact with his estranged family, his relationship with whom has become increasingly strained since he and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said there was a "sadness" surrounding the event as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex missed "the wedding of the year".

The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson signed her new book for delighted fans.

Sarah - affectionately known as Fergie - made a string of TV appearances as well as chatting with her supporters at London book shops Barnes.

She posted a video that captured her busy morning on social media platform X.

The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have released stunning wedding photos giving fans an insight into the biggest society wedding of the year.

Hugh Grosvenor and his new wife Olivia Henson got married on Friday at Chester Cathedral in the highly anticipated ceremony attended by Prince William.

Hi royal watchers.

My name is Mieka Smiles and I'll be bringing you all the latest from the Palace until 11pm this evening.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were not present at the Duke of Westminster's wedding yesterday, even though Harry was close friends with the groom.

It was agreed that it could make it awkward for the Royal Family and distract attention away from the couple.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Mirror: "To feel you have no choice but to miss the wedding of the year is very sad.

"However, the deep rift within the Royal Family has ensured that Harry and Meghan were never going to accept an invitation to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster, godfather to Archie and a close friend of Harry."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been reminded of just how far away they are from the Royal Family as they remain uninvited from Trooping the Colour.

Publicist Michael Levine told The Mirror: "This continued exclusion of Meghan and Harry from Trooping the Colour is a poignant reflection of their ongoing estrangement from the core of the British monarchy.

"Their absence for the second year running underscores the deep rifts that persist despite the pageantry and tradition that define the Royal Family. It's a stark reminder that personal conflicts can ripple through the public spectacle even in the most revered institutions."

Duchess Sophie no longer has to curtsy to Meghan Markle due to her change in rank, something that would leave her "relieved".

Now she is the Duchess of Edinburgh she does not rank lower than the Duchess of Sussex, however she did with her previous title Countess of Wessex.

A friend of hers told the Mail on Sunday: "Sophie is relieved. She no longer has to curtsy to someone in the family who has not only left royal duties but has spent the past three years criticising the institution that Sophie works so hard to support."

Princess Kate was unable to attend the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson yesterday as she continues her cancer treatment.

Her husband Prince William was there as an usher and as he stepped outside the venue a well-wisher in the crowd shouted out a message of support for Kate.

William acknowledged the gesture as he said thank you and waved to them.

Earlier this week William told a D-Day veteran that Kate was continuing to improve.

A video montage posted on social media has left fans in shock at how different Meghan Markle looks.

The reel starts with snaps from Meghan's Suits days, as she first became famous for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama.

She met her future husband Prince Harry in 2016, getting engaged in 2017 and marrying in 2018.

After spending less than two years as a married working royal Meghan left the Royal Family alongside Harry and moved back to California.

Princess Kate is unable to be at the Colonel's Review today as she continues her treatment for cancer.

However she still sent the Irish Guards, of whom she is Colonel in Chief, a letter to wish them luck.

Kate wrote: "I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.

"I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practising for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.

"Being your Colonel remains a great honour and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon."

Prince William was always going to take priority over Prince Harry at the Duke of Westminster's wedding, despite them both being pals with him.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Mirror: "The Dukes of Westminster have always been close to the Royal Family. William and Harry's mum Princess Diana was close friends with Hugh Grosvenor's mum, Natalia.

"Tally as she is known, is Prince William's godmother and in turn, Diana was godmother to her daughter, Edwina.

"In yet another family tie, Hugh is one of King Charles' many godsons and will certainly receive a wedding gift from his godfather even though he will not be attending the nuptials.

"Young Hugh is also a godfather to Prince George. There was never any question as to which of the brothers would take centre stage at the wedding.

"It had to be William. Harry made it clear he wouldn't be attending having had a chat with Hugh about the awkward situation and agreeing he should be the one to step down."

Prince Harry is apparently "deeply upset" that King Charles is considering moving Prince Andrew into Frogmore Cottage.

Harry and Meghan Markle once lived at Frogmore but moved out when they went to California, and were officially evicted last year.

Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror: "However deep the rift with his father and brother, Harry always had hopes that he and Meghan might eventually be allowed to re-establish Frogmore Cottage at Windsor as their UK base.

"He will be deeply upset at the prospect of his uncle Prince Andrew moving into Frogmore – a very real prospect as King Charles insists that Andrew cannot continue to live at Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion on the Windsor estate where Andrew has lived for decades."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's plans to be the next David and Victoria Beckham seem to have fallen through.

On Netflix the Beckham's documentary has raked in millions more viewing hours than the Sussex one.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: "The Beckhams and the Sussexes aren't comparable, they aren't on the same level.

"There isn't a modest comparison other than the superficial, because you've got those who've basically survived decades, and they're absolutely huge.

"So I don't think there's any possibility of Harry and Meghan resembling that level."

EXCLUSIVE: Prince William will be on hand to greet Emperor Narihito and Empress Masako during the Japanese State Visit later this month.

This will be the first time that William will step up and fill in for his father King Charles on such an occasion.

Brittani Barger, co-founder of Royal News, said: "I think it’s an honour for the monarch to entrust their heir to do such an important job.

"And it’s good preparation for when William will one day be King."

Prince Louis has been a favourite at Trooping the Colour ever since he made his debut at the celebration in 2019.

His antics and cheeky behaviour always leave royal fans amused and delighted.

Although there is no confirmation that he will be attending this year, here Express.co.uk looks back at some of his best moments.

Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh appeared less than impressed with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their final royal appearance, Commonwealth Day 2020.

Body language expert Judi James analysed her behaviour for Express.co.uk: "During the hugely awkward and painful Commonwealth Service that was Harry and Meghan’s last public appearance before they quit the UK, Edward and Sophie seemed to have been enlisted to act as ice-breakers and air-bags between the Sussexes and the Cambridges.

"But that was before the Oprah interview and Harry’s book Spare wreaked their damage.

"This cold stare or glower might possibly have preceded a warm social smile of greeting from Sophie but, even if it did, there’s a stronger possibility that she was letting her authentic feelings be known first."

Good morning from London, I'm Catherine Meyer-Funnell and I'll be bringing you all the very latest royal updates into this afternoon. Feel free to get in touch at cathey.meyerfunnell@reachplc.com