Prince Harry and Meghan: Sussexes final insult to late Queen that caused heartbreak
Controversy surrounded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle naming their daughter Lilibet in honour of the late Queen's childhood nickname.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's naming their daughter Lilibet may have broken royal protocol and reportedly angered the late Queen. Lilibet had been the late Queen's nickname, used by close family, including her late husband, Prince Philip.
It was used because as a toddler the late Queen couldn't pronounce her name. Royal protocol dictates members of the Royal Family usually share their baby's name with the monarch before going public with it.
Archewell announced Lilibet's birth in June 2021, explaining she was named after her great-grandmother. A spokesman for the Sussexes told The Telegraph soon afterwards that Prince Harry had shared his hope of naming his daughter Lilibet in honour of Elizabeth II and if she hadn't supported the idea they wouldn't have used the name.
The BBC later reported a Palace source saying the late Queen wasn't asked, prompting the Sussexes to accuse the broadcaster of libel and sending legal threats to media outlets.
But another Palace source suggested Elizabeth II was "told" of the name after Lilibet was born as opposed to her permission being sought beforehand.
Author Robert Hardman cited a member of the late Queen's household in his book Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, where he stated: "One privately recalled that Elizabeth II had been 'as angry as I'd ever seen her' in 2021 after the Sussexes announced she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter 'Lilibet'."
The threat of legal action eventually disappeared, with supporters of the Sussexes claiming Palace courtiers may have exaggerated claims the late Queen was angered by the use of the name.
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KEY EVENTS
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won't be welcomed back as working royals 'for key reason'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not shown any interest in being working royals, but if that were to change, it would take a lot of work to win over the public.
It seems like things have quieted down when it comes to Spare and the six-part Netflix series - which led to their popularity plummeting in the UK - but there are still hurt feelings.
GB News presenter Cameron Walker talked about the possibility of Harry and Meghan making their return to the Royal Family as working royals and that it would go beyond King Charles because Harry and Meghan “consistently poll at the bottom.”
He said: “That’s a big problem, because if they become working members of the Royal Family again, it’s taxpayers, it’s us, it’s the public who would have to pay for their security, the staff travel and all the rest of it.”
Harry and Meghan resigned stepped back from their positions as senior working royals in 2020.
Harry and Meghan currently live in Montecito, California with their two small children: Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
Princess Kate separated from Prince Harry by 'wedge' with 'no sign' of reconciliation
Princess Kate is said to be "separated" from Prince Harry, with "no sign of a bridge" to repair their relationship.
That is according to royal biographer Emily Andrews, who says Kate's family have rallied around her while she goes through cancer treatment.
However, while Kate was making her first public appearance at Trooping the Colour last month, her brother-in-law, the Duke of Sussex, was not present.
Andrews claims Harry has not offered Kate a shoulder to cry on, unlike other royals, marking a shift in the relationship for the once-close pair.
Harry, 39, is once believed to have described Kate as "the sister I never had, but always wanted" as they shared a close bond.
Andrews wrote: "What has kept her going are her family and friends rallying round. Though sadly, the same can't be said for her brother-in-law, who she was once close to.
"Now she's faced with her darkest days, where has Harry been?
"With his new life in the US, high-profile TV appearances and a scathing book to boot, it is unlikely that Harry's shoulder will be one Kate has sought to cry on.
"But, there lies the rub. Surely illness is one of the most powerful reasons to reunite and to put the past firmly in the history books? Instead, the wedge appears to be even larger, with no sign of a bridge to connect the pair."
Queen Elizabeth's heartbreaking eight-word response to Prince Harry's decision to quit
Queen Elizabeth was reportedly left "very hurt" and "exhausted" by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to quit as working members of the Royal Family, it's been claimed.
Her feelings were summed up with a simple yet devastating eight-word response as she told a royal insider: "I don't want to think about it anymore."
In the forthcoming book 'The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown', a source close to the Firm gave an insight into the late Queen's "turmoil" over events at the time.
An extract of the book was published in Vanity Fair, in which the insider said: " She was very hurt and told me, 'I don’t know, I don’t care, and I don’t want to think about it anymore'."
The book was written by royal expert and correspondent Katie Nicholl, who also claimed that the late Queen was upset that she did not get to spend more time with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Ms Nicholl wrote of Her Late Majesty's disappointment that Harry and Meghan did not bring their children to Balmoral in August for a sleepover.
The author noted: "It was a source of sadness to the Queen that she got to see so little of Archie and Lilibet and that Harry and Meghan were not able to join her for a weekend at Balmoral in August when the Queen used to host a 'sleepover' for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren."
Prince Harry backlash over award leads ESPN to issue statement defending decision
ESPN has spoken out in response to the backlash against their decision to honour Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award, which is given to someone who has used their connection to sports to positively impact others in the US.
Pat Tillman was an NFL player who decided to join the US Army after 9/11 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan before being killed by friendly fire in 2004.
Harry is set to have the honour bestowed upon him due to his work with the Invictus Games, set up ten years ago as a sporting tournament for injured or sick service personnel.
However, a petition has since been set up asking ESPN to rethink their choice, which so far has amassed over 42,000 signatures, with Pat's mother Mary Tillman also questioning Harry's suitability.
She told the Daily Mail: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting.
"There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised."
Meghan Markle struggling to secure one thing for her lifestyle brand as launch 'delayed'
Meghan Markle has still not officially launched her brand 'American Riviera Orchard', as zero products are available for the public to purchase, but an expert has claimed this is due to one key reason.
A branding expert has revealed that Meghan Markle has embarked upon a strategic move, which could help her appeal. Meghan is reportedly planning to launch a bottle of rosé wine, which will be the first item available for the public to purchase, claims the Daily Mail.
Branding expert, Lucie Green told Fabulous Magazine, it could be more lucrative than jam - as she noted that Meghan's brand appears to be lacking one thing: investors. Lucie explained: "I imagine the pop-ups and the seeding, and a series of dinners will continue until some kind of official launch.
"It could be that she's still courting investment. If the brand is direct to consumer, versus wholesale, there will need to be a substantial marketing budget for consumer acquisition."
She added: "It could be that the jams were the precursor and example to show proof of concept to talent and investors."
Prince Harry's latest move blasted as 'most embarrassing' thing ever
Prince Harry's recent award nomination has been blasted as "the most embarrassing thing ever".
The US-based royal has recently been honoured for his work in making a positive impact in the veteran community through the Invictus Games charity, which he founded in 2014.
Harry will receive a memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman - an American football player who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 and died by friendly fire.
Speaking on TalkTV, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said: "This [Pat Tillman] was a man that truly lived a life of service which is what Harry and Megan promised us when they left the British Royal Family."
She added that people are "having a hard time" putting the two men "in the same category".
Sports commentator and ex-NFL star Pat McAfee slammed the ESPY Awards for shortlisting the Duke for the award.
"A lot of conversation about Pat Tillman's name," McAfee remarked. "American hero ... Now there's an award named after him, as there should be in the sports world because that is somebody who is the definition of selfless."
He continued: "It's going to Prince Harry, who I don't even think is a prince anymore."
Prince Harry frozen out as Prince William tasked to complete very special project
Monday, June 1st, marked what would have been Diana's 63rd birthday and Paul Burrell who worked for the late princess and Queen Elizabeth, claimed that the world was "robbed" of years to come of her incredible work, as he reflected on just how much Diana achieved by the time of her death in 1997, aged 36.
Speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, Mr Burrell said: "People have to remind themselves that she was 36 years old and she'd just begun her work really."
He claimed Diana's work around the world was "cut short" and that that's where "Harry and William's passion takes over".
He explained: "Both of them in their own way, want to continue down as work and finish that legacy. That's their passion, I have to admire them both to continue along their mother's path. But I don't agree with Harry's way of doing it."
The former royal butler added that it's now down to "William to complete his mother’s work… not Harry".
He said: "Harry has great conflict in the fact that his mother was a member of the royal family, his mother supported the Royal Family until she died and Harry has bolted from the stable and he can't continue the work in the same vein that his mother did because he's no longer royal.
"You've got to look where they are in the world. Harry just can't do it to the same effect.
"He can't do it the way William can and so I'm afraid it's going to be down to William to complete his mother's work, not Harry."
Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's huge cost to keep £12m mansion running
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's costly upkeep of their lavish home in Montecito, California, has been analysed by a real estate expert who described the property as similar to a "small boutique hotel".
Harry and Meghan's Montecito luxury abode boasts a total of five acres of land, featuring nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court, as well as extensive gardens and its own chicken coop which the couple have named "Archie’s Chick Inn".
Prince William's 'last-minute text to Prince Harry' that sparked royal ceasefire
Prince Harry and Prince William have been estranged for several years now but they shocked the world with a temporary truce two years ago.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth, the warring brothers and their wives presented a united front for the public.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to view floral tributes and meet members of the public who had gathered to pay their respects.
Prince William had sent a final-hour text to Prince Harry inviting him and Meghan Markle to join him and Kate on the Long Walk in Windsor.
Princess Kate separated from Prince Harry by 'wedge' with 'no sign' of reconciliation
That's according to royal biographer Emily Andrews, who says Kate's family have rallied around her while she goes through cancer treatment.
Ms Andrews claims Harry has not offered Kate a shoulder to cry on, unlike other royals, marking a shift in the relationship for the once-close pair.
Late Queen's secret letter that revealed how she felt about Prince Harry's UK security
A secret letter has revealed the late Queen Elizabeth II considered it "imperative" that her grandson, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle kept "effective" security after stepping down as senior working royals, court documents have shown.
The late Queen's most senior aide told a Home Office committee that keeping the Sussexes safe was of "paramount importance" to Queen Elizabeth and her family.
After the famous 'Sandringham Summit' Sir Edward Young wrote to Sir Mark Sedwill, the then Cabinet Secretary, to explain what had been decided.
The letter which appeared in court documents last December, according to the Telegraph, revealed Sir Edward, who wrote on behalf of the Palace made the case for Harry's continued "effective security" after leaving the Royal Family.
Meghan Markle set for desperate move to help latest new venture
Meghan Markle reportedly has a "smaller pool" of friends to rely on as guests for her upcoming podcast with Lemonada Media, a PR expert has claimed.
Speaking on behalf of Betfred, PR expert Kayley Cornelius recently exclusively told Express.co.uk Meghan has another list of potential guests - particularly ones that didn't feature on her first podcast series, Archetypes.
King Charles starts selling new product as rivalry between Meghan Markle hots up
King Charles's latest Highgrove product has hit the shelves just hours after rumours regarding Meghan Markle's latest product sold under American Riviera Orchard were circulating online.
The King has launched his organic Highgrove Royal Estate Honey, which costs a whooping £25 for a 350g jar.
What really caused Prince Harry to fallout with David Beckham revealed in bombshell book
The story behind Prince Harry and David Beckham's rift has been exposed in royal author Tom Bower's latest book 'House of Beckham'.
Mr Bower claims that at the Invictus Games in Sydney back in 2018, Beckham was left "perplexed" after he showed up to support Harry's initiative, only for the prince to leave him alone.
According to Mr Bower, the "exclusion order" was made at Meghan's request as she "did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria".
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left stark reminder in UK over gaping royal feud
Frogmore Cottage remains empty, one year after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially left the five-bedroom property.
Appearing on the Royal Report programme on Sky News Australia, writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue said: "There is something symbolic about the fact that that house remains empty.
"People are saying this is representative of everything that could have been with Harry and Meghan and how they could have contributed to the Royal Family, but there are also questions whether actually it was ever meant to be."
Harry and Meghan face tricky questions on Archie and Lilibet's missed royal life
Thomas Markle, who is estranged from his daughter, told New Zealand Woman's Weekly: "It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry's kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children, or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright."
Mr Markle, who hasn't met the Sussexes' children, added Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, are getting to an age where they will be starting to ask questions - and it could prove a tricky time for Harry and Meghan.
He said: "I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years' time when they realise all the things they have missed out on."
Meghan's father compared himself to King Charles, who also has a long-distance relationship with Archie and Lilibet. Mr Markle lives in Mexico while his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren reside in Montecito, California.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accused of 'trying to buy public respect'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been blasted by a royal expert who claimed the couple are trying to buy the public's respect through good PR and "collecting trophies for their mantle".
Kinsey Schofield told Talk TV: "I see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accepting more trophies for awards that I don't understand what they're for, than this life of service that they promised us. How many awards did Meghan accept for her podcast that was cancelled and slammed by her own network?"
She added: "This is all a game to them. I guess they're trying to buy the public's respect, they're trying to buy good PR through networking and creating these opportunities to collect trophies for their mantle, but I think the public sees through these individuals."
King Charles 'in discussions' to finally visit Harry - but William 'can't understand why'
Royal commentator Tom Quinn has revealed that Charles is determined to be a "friendly grandfather" to Archie and Lilibet, which could require him to make the journey to Montecito.
New Idea magazine suggests there's an opening in the King's diary next month that could allow for such a trip.
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Prince Harry accused of 'leaving a life of service to chase fame in Hollywood'
Prince Harry has been accused by one royal commentator of "leaving a life of service to chase fame in Hollywood".
It comes after it emerged Harry will receive a memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman - an American football player who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 and died by friendly fire. Harry served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army and spearheads the Invictus Games sports competition for veterans.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield told TalkTV: "This (Pat Tillman) was a man that truly lived a life of service which is what Harry and Megan promised us when they left the British Royal Family. In contrast, Harry left a life of service to chase fame, to chase money in Hollywood, so a lot of people are having a hard time putting these two men in the same category."
Meghan Markle tipped to sign major 'financial deal' after 'very easy' work offer
Meghan Markle is set to enjoy "luck and success" financially, according to celebrity astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has revealed what members of the Royal Family can expect the coming months to bring.
Speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, Ms Honigman foresaw for Meghan: "Luck and success on the financial side, Meghan is offered a great financial deal for some very easy work of promoting an entertainment destination."
Prince Harry it seems could do with a break from work, with the astrologer saying he could suffer from "burnout" if he does not take a "step back".
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