THE QUEEN could be in for a nasty surprise if Meghan Markle still has “skeletons in her closet”, as a royal author predicts.
Tom Bower is writing an unauthorised book about the life of the Duchess of Sussex says she needs to speak to her father and older brother to stop them revealing more embarrassing details about her life.
He said, on researching her early life, she seemed to have been quite family orientated before she found fame but seemed to have cut off her father’s side when she met Harry.
The 75-year-old, who has also written a biography of Prince Charles, told Closer: “She seems to me to be a very ambitious, unforgiving person. But I think, much to her dismay, more will come out.”
“I think, much to her dismay, more will come out. I think Thomas is keeping some things back and that he has a lot of embarrassing stuff on her. There are skeletons in the closet and, when provoked, I think the secrets could all come out”, he added.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the very latest updates…
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Can Camilla become Queen?
The original plan was for Camilla to be known as ‘Princess Consort’ when Charles succeeded to the throne – though the term has never been used before for a female consort.
Prince Philip was the prince consort – as was Prince Albert before him – but that is due to a belief that a King is higher than a Queen.
It is believed that due to the popularity of Diana – and the furious hatred of Camilla for being the third person in their marriage – the Royals thought it wise not to put the mistress on the same peddlestool as the wife.
The plan of succession remains the same on the Royal website but Camilla’s growing popularity suggests there would be less public uproar.
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Is Camilla the Princess of Wales?
When Camilla first married Prince Charles in 2005, the Royals said she would be known – and addressed – as the Duchess of Cornwall.
This was due to the widespread popularity of Charles’ first wife, Princess Diana, who tragically died a year after their divorce in 1997.
She is still automatically the Princess of Wales. Diana was also the Duchess of Cornwall as a secondary title by right of being Charles’ wife.
Charles is the Duke of Cornwall. He is also known as the Duke of Rothesay when he is in Scotland.
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Skeletons in the closet
Meghan Markle needs to get her male relatives in line if she wants to stop them spilling the beans on her past, a royal author has warned.
Tom Bower, who is writing a book about Meghan, says the embarrassing revelations from her father and older brother mean she cannot continue ignoring it or the problem will get worse.
Bower told Closer: “I think, much to her dismay, more will come out. I think Thomas is keeping some things back and that he has a lot of embarrassing stuff on her. There are skeletons in the closet and, when provoked, I think the secrets could all come out.
“She needs to stop the men from her past doing this to her. So if she wants this to stop, she needs to communicate. It’s what should have been done years ago; Meghan should have communicated with her father, in person or over the phone. She seems to be hoping he’ll just go away, but he won’t!”
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Kate and Wills will invade Harry and Meghan’s backyard
Kate Middleton and Prince William could be heading to the US next year, as they announced the next Earthshot Prize Awards will be held there.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous that it would be a “logical step” for William and Kate to attend the ceremony across the pond in 2022 – where Meghan and Harry have set up their new life.
However, Phil added that any chance of a reconciliation between the two couples is unlikely.
He explained: “I don’t think William and Kate would want to meet up with Harry and Meghan, who could try and steal their thunder on the earth shot project.
“They are very much rivals now, not brothers in arms, and I’m afraid I can’t see a reconciliation soon.”
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Marriage story
The Crown is set to recreate the disintegration of Charles and Diana’s marriage in the new series.
The princes are undoubtedly not going to be happy that the Netflix series plans to redramatise that ‘keystone’ moment when Diana, Princess of Wales declared there were “three people in my marriage” during a 1995 Panorama interview.
That interview, conducted by then-BBC journalist Martin Bashir, made global headlines as the princess spoke openly about her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
Bashir has subsequently been accused of getting fake cheques made to tell Diana her staff were selling stories to the media – and blaming it on the graphics designer when caught.
Both William and Harry have been vocal in their criticism of the press with William attacking Bashir himself for preying on his mother when she was in a vulnerable state.
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Old oak saved by Duchess
Sarah Ferguson has managed to save a dozen oak trees in the Amazon after launching a petition to stop the US retail giant from cutting down the 130-year-old trees in her hometown of Dummer.
The proposal was for 220,000 square metres, 23.5 metre-tall distribution hub and had previously been greenlight.
Oak trees are a protected species in the UK so you must get special permission to cut them down.
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Queen out and about driving
The monarch looked chipper and well in a headscarf and dark sunglasses after she cancelled all public engagements on doctors’ orders.
She was seen driving her understated green five-door Jaguar – usually used to ferry her beloved corgis – earlier today.
Her appearance comes days after she was told by her private medics to rest after spending a night in hospital for ‘preliminary tests’.
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Who are counsellors of state?
The Duke of Sussex – and his disgrace Uncle Andrew – are still listed as ‘counsellors of state’ – meaning that, if the Queen is unwell or abroad, they can serve in her stead performing ceremonial duties.
It is not the same as being a regent – such as the later George IV was for his father George III in the early 19th century – because the monarch has no real power but it means they are the symbolic face of the Crown at that particular moment.
Only four such positions exist, with the other two filled by Charles and William.
Now, top aides are said to be concerned there’s a vacuum at the very top of the family – as one source labelled the problem a “constitutional headache”.
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Thomas Jr wants to give Meghan a ‘big hug’
Thomas Jr told New Idea Magazine: “I don’t need a photo op to go see my sister and I don’t want a story behind it.
“I don’t want anything – I would just love to go over to their home and knock on their door, give her a big hug and a kiss and say I missed the hell out of her and apologise right to her face.
“Maybe one day that will happen.
“I’d do anything to see Archie and Lilibet.”
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Queen spoke in front of late husband
THE Queen delivered her message in front of a photo of her late husband Prince Philip in the wild.
The Duke, who died in April at 99, is surrounded by monarch butterflies in the 1988 snap, highlighting his conservation work.
Her Majesty wore green and a butterfly brooch for her address last night.
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Meghan still wants royal name
Despite turning her back on royal life Meghan Markle apparently wants to still keep her airs and graces after introducing herself as the ‘Duchess.’
The former actress read aloud her kids book The Bench, filmed for Brightly Storytime, last week – but seemed to want to remind people her husband is still in line for the throne.
Meghan began by introducing herself by saying “Hi and welcome to Brightly Storytime.
“I am Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and today I am going to read you my book called The Bench.”
She then went on to read her popular story while showing viewers the illustrations.
Although the couple lost the HRH address when they left The Firm they still are entitled to use their ducal titles.
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Queen ended her speech on a poignant note
The 95-year-old monarch ended her speech telling the world leaders that “the time for words has now moved to the time for action.”
She added: “Of course, the benefits of such actions will not be there to enjoy for all of us here today: we none of us will live forever.
“But we are doing this not for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children, and those who will follow in their footsteps.
“And so, I wish you every good fortune in this significant endeavour.” -
Royal Christmas
THE QUEEN is said to be “totally committed” to hosting Christmas at Sandringham with her family after resting up following a hospital visit.
An insider said the Royal Family‘s gathering at the monarch‘s much-loved country retreat will be a “perfect tonic” after she was forced to cancel royal engagements due to her health this month.
The Queen is now recovering at Windsor Castle after having tests and spending a night in the hospital last week.
It is said Prince Harry is desperate to get back to the UK to see her – and introduce his new daughter – as he still feels guilty about not being able to say goodbye to his grandfather Philip.
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Poppy sellers meet the royals
POPPY sellers are back on our streets after the Covid pandemic hit last year’s Royal British Legion appeal.
And Prince Charles and Camilla met the oldest and youngest as the legion launched its 2021 Poppy campaign.
More than 40,000 collectors will be out selling poppies to raise at least £40million for our ex-servicemen and women.
Last year, 12,000 elderly collectors were ordered to stay at home to shield from Covid.
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Queen’s incredibly touching nod to Prince Philip in COP26 speech
THE QUEEN made an incredibly touching nod to her late husband Prince Philip in her COP26 speech tonight.
Her Majesty told world leaders at the climate crunch talks that the environment was a subject close to her “dear husband’s” heart – who sadly passed away in April.
The Queen, 95, paid a touching tribute to her late husband’s decades-long fight against climate change – which she said lives on in Charles and William.
Speaking about Philip’s unwavering commitment, she told the summit: “The impact of the environment on human progress was a subject close to the heart of my dear late husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“I remember well that in 1969, he told an academic gathering:
“’If the world pollution situation is not critical at the moment, it is as certain as anything can be, that the situation will become increasingly intolerable within a very short time … If we fail to cope with this challenge, all the other problems will pale into insignificance.”’
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Prince William and Kate lead royal reception
PRINCE William and Kate Middleton have led a royal reception as they met with world leaders at COP26.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stunned in blue outfits tonight as they stepped out to host a reception for the Earthshot Prize Awards.
The royals spoke with guests at a reception for the key members of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and the Winners and Finalists of the first Earthshot Prize Awards at the Clydeside Distillery.
Charles, Camilla, and Boris Johnson also attended the event – which is part of the broader COP26 talks.
And at 7:30pm, the guests stopped to watch and listen to the Queen’s speech – as she addressed the world leaders at COP26.
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Queen says it was fitting for talks to be in Glasgow
The monarch said that it was fitting the COP26 talks were taking place in Glasgow – which was once the heartland of Britain’s industrial revolution.
And she paid homage to those who have enthusiastically taken on the climate crisis in their own lives – including youngsters.
Her Majesty was unable to attend the climate talks in Glasgow after she cancelled all public engagements on doctors’ orders.
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Prince Harry doesn’t get a mention
Prince Harry has a history of speaking out on climate change action – most recently hosting Global Citizens Live in New York.
But his withdrawal from royal life and the fact he has not attended COP26 in Scotland was perhaps the reason his grandmother didn’t mention him in the accolades.
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Queen says she ‘couldn’t be more proud of Charles and Wills’
THE QUEEN said she “couldn’t be more proud” of her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William in her gushing COP26 speech.
Her Majesty tonight revealed how proud she is of Charles and William in their climate crisis fight – but Prince Harry was notably missed from her praise.
The Queen, 95, paid a touching tribute to her late husband’s decades-long climate crisis fight – a spirit which she said now lives on in Charles and William.
Mentioning the next two men in line to the throne, the Queen told the climate summit that she “couldn’t be more proud” of her son and grandson for their hard work.
Her Majesty said in her gushing COP26 speech: “It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William.
“I could not be more proud of them.”
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Power play
Today the monarch has very little power and their influence solely rests on whether they can bend the ear of their Government.
Given Boris Johnson’s record of attempting to suspend parliament and challenging the courts on a host of constitutional issues you can be forgiven for thinking she does not have much influence here.
But the Queen is also the sovereign of 16 different realms – and she seems to be having better luck with her Australian government.
Australian leader Scott Morrison ummed and ahhed about attending COP26 for weeks until the Queen was overheard complaining about world leader indecision on climate change during a trip to the Welsh parliament.
Within 24 hours Morrison announced he would be attending after all. A few weeks later he announced Australia’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
Australia is one of the world’s biggest net exporter of coal.
Coincidences eh?
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Queen addresses COP26 attendees
The Queen has delivered a video message to signify the start of COP26.
In the message she spoke on how she hoped that the occasion would allow people to ‘rise above the politics of the moment’ to achieve the goals.
She said “I, for one, hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to rise above the politics of the moment, and achieve true statesmanship.”
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Is Camilla the Princess of Wales?
When Camilla first married Prince Charles in 2005, the Royals said she would be known – and addressed – as the Duchess of Cornwall.
This was due to the widespread popularity of Charles’ first wife, Princess Diana, who tragically died a year after their divorce in 1997.
She is still automatically the Princess of Wales. Diana was also the Duchess of Cornwall as a secondary title by right of being Charles’ wife.
Charles is the Duke of Cornwall. He is also known as the Duke of Rothesay when he is in Scotland.
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Secret was out
PRINCE Harry got the fright of his life one Halloween when palace aides told him, he and Meghan were about to be exposed, a royal author has revealed.
Harry had been over in Canada visiting Meghan on the set of her TV drama Suits on All Hallow’s Eve in 2016 when he got a call from Kensington Palace that their relationship was about to be exposed in a newspaper.
The pair had reportedly been together for four months at this point and were “madly in love”. They decided to go to a Halloween party in Toronto wearing Venetian mask so they could not be recognised when Harry got a call from his aides back in London.
The revelations come from Harry and Meghan’s ‘favourite’ biographer Omid Scobie’s revised Finding Freedom.
In an excerpt published in the Mirror, it said: “A cocktail or so into the party, they were both feeling relaxed, absorbing the Halloween spirit.
“It was possibly the perfect night out – until they received a call from one of Harry’s aides at Kensington Palace”
The secret was out.
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Thomas Jr and Meghan’s turbulent relationship
Thomas Jr wrote a letter in 2018 in which he branded the couple’s upcoming nuptials, a “fake fairy tale” and warned Harry his marriage to Meghan would be the “biggest mistake in royal wedding history”.
Back in August this year, he claimed he’d warned Harry that “very shallow” Meghan would “ruin” his life.
He had previously described her as a “phony”, a bully, and a “jaded, shallow, conceited woman.”
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Lesson learnt
At a typical wedding its supposed to be what the bride wants, the bride gets but a royal wedding there is only one person in charge.
At the Royal Wedding in 2011 it was the groom’s grandmother that was running the show.
A year after he tied the knot, the Duke of Cambridge admitted during an interview with ABC that he’d clashed with The Queen over what he wore on his wedding day.
He said: “What I really wanted to wear was the Irish Guards frock coat.
“We had a couple of discussions on this matter but, as I learnt growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.
“What she says goes!”
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