Royal Family LIVE: Meghan and Harry ‘crawling back’ to UK in doubt over ‘sign of failure’

Meghan Markle ‘doesn’t believe’ in monarchy as it’s ‘not in her blood’

Meghan Markle “doesn’t believe” in the institution of monarchy because she was born in a country where royalty isn’t part of her of her heritage, a royal author and historian believes.

Dr Tessa Dunlop, author of the newly-released book Elizabeth and Philip: A Story of Young Love, Marriage and Monarchy, compared how two outsiders of the Royal Family, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Sussex, fared after joining the institution by marriage.

In her book, Dr Dunlop cautioned against framing Prince Philip as a “victim” because, in his first years within the Firm, was at times not fully embraced by courtiers or even members of the family due to his “dislocated childhood, relatively penury and reputation as ‘Philip the Greek’”.

She wrote: “Coinciding with the departure of his grandson, Prince Harry, and his American celebrity wife, Meghan, from the same Royal Family in 2020, clumsy parallels were inevitable. But it is a mistake to frame Philip as a victim; his formative years were a vital training ground for sizing up the British monarchy.”

Explaining why she believes that, despite their shared status of outsiders of the Firm both born overseas, Meghan and Philip entered the Royal Family with two very different mindsets, Dr Dunlop told Express.co.uk: “The difference is Philip understood and believed in monarchy, because he was born royal. He therefore bought into and understood the institution he was entering [by marriage].”

Kate unveils new rules as Princess ‘frustrated’ focus is on her and not her causes

Speaking on the recent episode of the Daily Express’ Royal Round-Up, royal correspondent Richard Palmer revealed that the Princess of Wales gets “really frustrated” as the focus ends up shifted away from the causes she is trying to highlight.

The claim comes as Kensington Palace confirmed this week no additional information will be provided beforehand about the outfit and accessories the royal will be wearing on her outings.

Mr Palmer told host Pandora Forsyth: “[Kate] is a very serious woman and she’s trying to bring about change in this country.

“In particular, for children but also to break the cycle of mental health problems that people develop often from an early age.

“Personally, I would just like to, when she does say something interesting, I’d like us, you know, I think we should listen.”

Ms Forsyth asked Mr Palmer whether Kate “feels [this] herself too” in that she is “saying all these important messages” but people are “focussing on the picture perfect moments instead”.

Queen Elizabeth II included in BBC’s Festival of Remembrance

The Queen was paid tribute to with an “emotional and fitting’ video montage marking the decades-long support the late monarch showed British soldiers and veterans.

The BBC included the special nod at the start of its annual Festival of Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Royal fans and BBC viewers took to social media to praise the lovely moment and to once again pay their respect to Her late Majesty.

@DavidTayloruup wrote: “An emotional and fitting tribute to the life and service of the late Her Majesty The Queen at the Festival of Remembrance

“Such a rousing and uplifting hymn “I vow to thee my Country” is.”

@jessailse said: “That was a very powerful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at the Festival of Remembrance. #FestivalofRemembrance.”

Rosie Jempson

Royal sisters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie unite for poignant moment

The two sisters met with people who had served their late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, during their visit to an assisted living facility.

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Eugenie and Beatrice (Image: Getty)

Rosie Jempson

Sophie and Edward join King Charles at emotional Royal British Legion service

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward were photographed at the annual Remembrance Festival alongside King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort.

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Sophie and Edward join royals at emotional Royal British Legion service (Image: Getty)

Rosie Jempson

Kate has ‘special’ relationship with King and does ‘ritual’ that Camilla ‘would never do’

Charles has been King for two months, at the time of writing, while Kate has been settling into her new role as Princess of Wales. The pair have seldom been pictured together, except at the late Queen’s funeral, but there are many photos of the two enjoying each other’s company earlier this year, as well as in recent years.

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Kate and Charles appear close, according to the expert (Image: Getty)

Rosie Jempson

Rishi Sunak sits near royals at Remembrance event

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also attended the Festival of Remembrance, seated in a box to the left of the royals, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sat to their right.

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Rishi Sunak and his wife (Image: PA)

Rosie Jempson

King Charles and Camilla pay tribute to the Queen at poignant event

The King and Queen Consort have joined senior members of the Royal Family for the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall tonight.

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Rosie Jempson

Prince William and Kate arrive at the Festival of Remembrance

Kate and William attend the event alongside other royals (Image: Getty)

Rosie Jempson

‘Should be a right, not a luxury’: Meghan’s powerful statement after receiving honour

Meghan Markle has been labelled a “trailblazer” in female empowerment ahead of World Kindness Day.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been featured on Hello magazine’s ‘Kind List’ for 2022. The publication announced a new category this year to shine a light on ‘inspirational’ people, some of whom are not in the public eye, and Meghan has put forward her own entry for the list. 

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Meghan is featured on the ‘Kind List’ for 2022 (Image: Getty)

Rosie Jempson

Kate ‘reminds world in 49 seconds’ how she has saved monarchy with lauded clip

The Princess of Wales was filmed giving a poppy to a three-year-old in Hillingdon and was praised by Daniela Elser for the “adorable and heart-melting” moment.

Kate, has been lauded by a royal expert after a new clip of her shows how she “has saved, and continues to save, the monarchy”. The Princess of Wales was at Colham Manor Children’s Centre in Hillingdon which she was visiting in her role as patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

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Rosie Jempson

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle SHOULD lose titles if Duke’s memoir attacks royals – poll

The Royal Family is no doubt bracing ahead of the release of Spare on January 10.

The exclusive poll by Techne for Express.co.uk found 59 percent say the couple should no longer be called the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if the tell-all book – titled Spare and out in the new year – is critical of the monarchy.

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The poll suggests most Brits think the Sussexes should lose their titles if Spare attacks the royals (Image: GETTY/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE)

Rosie Jempson

Diana’s mother was ‘eaten away at’ by same tough job Princess faced

When Princess Diana and her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, married their respective husbands, the two women faced the same tough job – producing a male heir.

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Diana and her mother faced the same tough job once they got married (Image: Getty)

Alice Scarsi

Sophie Wessex praised as ‘valued member’ of Firm

American royal commentator Lee Cohen praised Sophie, Countess of Wessex, for dedicating her life to serving the Crown and her patronages.

He told Express.co.uk: [Sophie] actually stepped in, in some cases, to smooth over the tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family.”

He continued: “But Sophie gets it. She, too, was forced to give up her former life, which she did so willingly.

“[Sophie] used those skills to become a very good and valued member of the Royal Family.”

Read the full story here

Alice Scarsi

King Charles gives staff big bonus out of own pocket to fight cost of living crisis

King Charles is reportedly handing lower-paid royal staff a bonus out of his own pocket amid the cost of living crisis.

Hundreds of workers from the Royal Household including cleaners, servants and footmen will receive a one-off payment up to £600 on top of this month’s salary, it has been claimed.

The bonuses would come from Charles’s private income and no taxpayers’ money would be used.

The King is said to be concerned about the “economic wellbeing” of loyal staff in light of soaring inflation and a looming recession.

Read the full story here

Alice Scarsi

Kate and Prince William ‘might surprise us’ with George and Charlotte outing this week

Speaking on the latest episode of the Daily Express’ Royal Round-Up, royal correspondent Richard Palmer discussed the Waleses’ children and claimed that Prince George and Princess Charlotte could be set to make a “surprise” appearance at a royal event this weekend.

Host Pandora Forsyth asked Mr Palmer what we can expect from the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and whether the elder son and daughter of Kate and Prince William can be expected to be there.

Mr Palmer replied: “Currently, I’m not expecting them to be there, but they might surprise us.”

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis waving

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Trooping the Colour carriage ride (Image: GETTY)

Alice Scarsi

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry would not want to ‘come crawling back’ to Firm – expert

Royal biographer Angela Levin believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would need to “apologise” to the Royal Family if they wanted to return to the royal fold.

Asked whether she thinks there is a chance for reconciliation between the Sussexes and the Firm and whether she believes Meghan and Harry will ever return to the Royal Family as working members, she told Express.co.uk: “Well, I am sure King Charles would like [for the Sussexes to return] because he has always loved Harry and if you are a father you will always love your child, although you don’t like what they are doing.

“They would have to step in line which I don’t think Meghan would want to do.”

Referring to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s claims made against the Firm in some of their interviews and appearances, Ms Levin added: “I think they would have to apologise profusely, which I don’t know if they would do.

“I personally don’t think they will be able to, but if they find that people are not buying their stories – I mean, I don’t know how many more stories you can tell about your life – who knows, they might come back.

“But I don’t think they would come crawling back. I don’t think they would be welcome in this country either, because it would mean that they failed, really.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving St Paul's Cathedral

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry live in California (Image: GETTY)

Alice Scarsi

Meghan and Harry issue heartfelt statement from US in honour of Remembrance Day

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry publicly marked Veterans Day and Remembrance Day by sharing a message on the website of their organisation, Archewell. 

The post titled “Remembrance Day” shared on the website – which was launched in late 2020 – read: “On this Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we honor servicemembers across the world.

“These brave men and women, as well as their families, have made tremendous sacrifices and embody duty and service. 

“We are proud to work with so many organizations that support veterans and military families, including: The Invictus Games Foundation, The Mission Continues, Team Rubicon, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation. Today and every day, thank you for your service.” 

Read the full story here

Alice Scarsi

Royals to gather at the Royal Albert Hall in London this evening

Tonight, full-time members of the Royal Family will head to the Royal Albert Hall for the yearly Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance.

This will mark the first time King Charles attends this poignant event as the country’s sovereign.

The monarch will be accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Other royal guests will include Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Members of the Royal Family attending the Festival in 2021

Members of the Royal Family attending the Festival in 2021 (Image: GETTY)

Alice Scarsi

Eugenie and Beatrice come together for Armistice Day and hail ‘incredible’ veterans

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice joined forces this week to pay tribute to veterans.

As shared by Eugenie on her Instagram account, the pair visited charity Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), which helps veterans with employment support, homes and welfare support.

In her post, Eugenie wrote: “We met incredible veterans who have completed RBLI’s #Lifeworks employability programme.

“It was wonderful to see the programme in action at the charity’s social enterprise factory which provides meaningful employment to veterans.”

Read the full story here

Alice Scarsi

Meghan Markle’s use of royal cypher in thank you note scrutinised

The Duchess of Sussex sent a thank you card to author Allison Yarrow which featured her royal cypher – an “M” underneath a coronet.

Commenting on this move, royal biographer Angela Levin told The Sun: “People think more highly of her if she’s got the title – and of course if she’s got the crown there… ‘wow that is absolutely amazing’.

“I think it’s related to being around celebrities, wealthy people, lots of work more money. She’s always interested in global. Everything she talks about is global.

“And if she’s working around the world with a picture of a crown, it’s a fantastic little helper politically because everyone will think: Oh my goodness she’s amazing – that’s what she thinks people will think. It’s just to show off really.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry holding hands

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are no longer working royals (Image: GETTY)