Prince Harry news — Meghan Markle ‘didn’t want to stay’ as palace ‘failed on her unrealistic expectations’ of royal life
MEGHAN Markle "didn't want to stay" with the Firm after they failed to meet her "unrealistic expectations", a royal expert has said.
Palace aides suggest Meghan Markle craved "to be rejected by the royal establishment because she never wanted to stay," royal author
Low said this viewpoint is "controversial" but held by some within the Palace staff.
Describing why Meghan ultimately chose to leave the royal life with Prince Harry, Low added: "It was a combination of her unrealistic expectations about what royal life would be like and the palace's failure to manage those unrealistic expectations."
This comes as questions continue to be asked as to whether the Sussexes will attend the King's coronation later this year, with many suggesting the couple will make the trip.
Read our Royal Family blog for the latest news.
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This blog is now closed.
But feat not as we have set up a new feed following the latest news on Prince, Meghan Markle and King Charles III.
How did Harry and Sasha Walpole know each other?
Prince Harry revealed he lost his virginity to an "older woman", when he was just 17 in his tell-all memoir Spare.
The woman in question has since revealed herself to be Sasha Walpole.
Harry and Sasha, who now works as a digger driver, knew each other from when she worked as a stable girl at Highgrove, the country retreat of King Charles, and previously enjoyed trips to polo matches together.
The pair had sex after downing shots and leaving a party held at the pub to mark Sasha’s 19th birthday.
Sasha Walpole 'almost fell off' her sofa when she heard Harry's revelation
Sasha Walpole, the woman to who Prince Harry lost his virginity when he was just 16, said she "almost fell off" her chair when she learnt he shared the revelation.
In an interview aired on Thursday evening, she said: "[I found out] when my friend send me a screenshot via WhatsApp.
"I was just sitting on my sofa watching telly TV. I didn't quite know what to do about it.
"I almost fell off my sofa."
Harry and Meghan will be invited to the King’s Coronation
Insiders have told The Sun that the “working assumption” is that the Sussexes will be invited to the Coronation taking place on May 6.
An official involved in the ceremony planning said: “They will definitely be invited, and we are working on the assumption that they will come.”
This comes amid rumours of the Royal Family fearing that Harry and Meghan will reveal any private conversations made throughout the weekend and steal the limelight from the important and groundbreaking event.
Will and Kate to attend the BAFTAs
The Prince and Princess of Wales will attend this year's BAFTAs after a two-year absence.
The legendary British awards show will take place on February 19, and will be available to watch on BBC1.
Kate Middleton was a 'fantastic' student
The Princess of Wales met with her former history teacher yesterday, as she and William travelled to Cornwall.
Jim Embury, who now works as a volunteer, revealed Kate excelled in school.
He told reporters: "I have to say fantastic.
"It was a great class and she was a great participant and a great kid.
"It was 25 years ago."
In pictures: Kate meets her old history teacher
On a visit to Cornwall yesterday, Kate Middleton met with a familiar face from her school days.
She hugged her former history teacher, Jim Embury at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall, where he is now a volunteer.
He taught Kate at St Andrew’s prep school in Pangbourne, Berks, in the 1990s.
She cried "oh my goodness" and hugged Mr Embury, now a volunteer at the museum.
Kate added: "I do recognise you. I remember the classroom and everything.
"Wow. That is such a small world.
"I'm trying to teach my daughter all the things you probably taught me."
Who will perform at the King’s coronation concert?
It was revealed today how Brits can get their hands on tickets for the King’s coronation concert.
But who will perform?
Those predicted to appear include a supergroup of musical knights such as surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Cliff Richard and other top performers including Ed Sheeran, Eric Clapton and Sting.
It is believed more contemporary big name pop stars could also be invited including Harry Styles and Dua Lipa.
King Charles cancels Swiss ski trip
Senior sources told The Sun that The King decided to ditch his annual Swiss skiing trip to ensure he doesn’t injure himself ahead of Coronation.
A source said: “There are many factors at play, not least it’s a bad look to go skiing during the cost-of-living crisis and the King is not a very ostentatious person.
“Also it would be disastrous to suffer a skiing accident.”
Another reason is that officials would rather have his first trip as a monarch as an engagement rather than a holiday.
Over the past 45 years, King Charles went on a trip at Klosters in Switzerland, normally in either February or March.
Foster carer receives an OBE from The King
The Royal family has today shared a video showing foster carer, Afia Choudhury receiving an OBE from The King at Windsor Castle.
She was presented the award in recognition of her work to support children in care.
In the video, Afia can be heard saying: ''It means that I’ve been recognised for the work I’ve been doing for the last 18 years.
''But also recognise for foster carers all over the country that do such a wonderful job.''
Tom Cruise cancels plans to attend King’s Coronation
Sources told The Sun that megastar Tom Cruise told producers to cancel filming plans so he can attend the King’s Coronation in May.
The insider said: “Tom has been invited to King Charles’ Coronation and there is no way he would have ever turned it down.
“It is a hugely prestigious event and Tom is a real royalist — plus he is now close with Prince William and Kate. Tom has told film bosses to shut down the production on Mission: Impossible over the Coronation weekend to make sure he can attend.
“It shocked some people on the film, as Tom is so dedicated to his craft and would never normally deviate from his intense production schedules.
“But something as important — and grand — as King Charles’s Coronation is something he would not want to miss out on. It is a huge thing for Tom to be invited and he is honoured.”
Princess Diana’s astrologer predicts Princess Kate will ‘establish her identity’ in 2023
Princess Kate will “establish her identity as Princess of Wales” in 2023, according to Princess Diana’s former astrologer Debbie Frank.
Speaking with Hello!, Frank said: “Kate will keep calm and carry on.
“This year will see her step up in new ways that endear her to the public, increasing her relatability and getting involved with issues that show she’s clearly in touch with what’s happening in the world and people’s lives.”
“June is her mega-month to rise and shine. Autumn is a strong period for Kate to make her mark, and she too is busy delivering on a clear set of goals.”
The astrologer added: “For Kate, 2023 gives her a real opportunity to establish her identity as Princess of Wales.”
Fans disappointed after realising they can't apply for single tickets
Royal fans have rushed to social media to share their disappointment following the opening of the coronation concert ticket ballot.
Taking to Twitter one fan wrote: ''Just tried to complete the application form for the ballot for the Coronation concert just for one ticket It looks like it has to be for two people only I would never have got the chance to go but I would have liked the chance to apply. Disappointed.''
A second said: ''Single people need not apply for King Charles’ coronation concert at Windsor Castle? Only those with a guest are allowed to apply? Why?''
King Charles and Prince William are on the same page when it comes to Prince Andrew
Writing in the Daily Mail, royal commentator Richard Kay said how King Charles and Prince William are both in agreement about the situation with Prince Andrew.
He wrote: “The King was clear that, putting aside his brotherly affection for Andrew, the decision by the Queen a year ago to remove all his official roles was the right one and remains non-negotiable.
“In taking this view, Charles is fully supported by his heir, Prince William.”
Royal Mail reveals image of King Charles on stamps
The Royal Mail revealed the new image that will feature King Charles on first and second class stamps from April.
Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and police, David Gold, said: “The guidance we got from His Majesty was more about continuity and not doing anything too different to what had gone before.
“I think perhaps there’s an acknowledgement that, for 70 years people have been so used to seeing the image of Her Majesty, even though actually the current image only started in 1967, they didn’t want to do anything too different to what had gone before.
“Personally, I think what marks this stamp out is that there is no embellishment at all, no crown, just simply the face of the human being, on the plain background, almost saying, ‘this is me and I’m at your service’, which I think in this modern age is actually rather humbling.”
Here's how you will find out if you have been chosen to attend the coronation concert
With the coronation of King Charles just months away, the official ticket ballot has opened for one of the weekends historical events - the coronation concert.
Thousands of tickets are up for grabs - but how will you know if you've been chosen?
If your name is drawn in the ballot you will be notified by email by mid April.
You will then be asked to claim your tickets and confirm your attendance at the concert - you will have two weeks to do this and you will be sent reminders by email during this period.
Full instructions on how to accept tickets will be sent to winning recipients by email in late April.
Good luck!
How old do you have to be to attend The King's coronation concert?
With the ticket ballot officially open, it's important to know who can apply and who can attend the celebratory event.
You must be 18 or over as of 10th February 2023 to apply for tickets.
The concert is not suitable for young children as tickets are standing and it will be a long day – starting late afternoon and finishing late in the evening.
Therefore, any nominated guest must be aged 11 or over as of 10th February 2023.
Nominated guests aged under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or someone who is acting with the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Here’s how you can listen to the official Coronation playlist
With just three months to go, preparations for King Charles’ Coronation are well underway.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has created and shared an official government Coronation playlist for all to enjoy over the celebratory weekend.
A spokeswoman said the playlist had been selected to “celebrate British and Commonwealth artists ahead of the upcoming Coronation”.
You can find the playlist on Spotify – which includes, The Beatles, David Bowie, Tom Jones and the Spice Girls.
What to expect from The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle
On May 6, 2023, the world will watch as King Charles’ Coronation service takes place.
Following the historic ceremony, on Sunday, May 7, 2023, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle.
When revealing plans for the service, Buckingham Palace said: ”The Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion.”
Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir.
This diverse group will be created from a number of the nation’s community choirs and amateur singers, such as Refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs.
The Coronation Concert will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Here’s how you can get involved in Coronation plans
With His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort’s Coronation just three months away, we take a look at how you can join in the celebrations.
According to the government website, there are a number of ways to mark the historical occasion.
These include:
- Hosting a street party
- Joining millions across the UK with a Coronation Big Lunch celebration in your community
- The Big Help Out
- Create coronation decorations
You can find out more about each of the above .
Tom Cruise cancels plans to attend King’s Coronation
Sources told The Sun that megastar Tom Cruise told producers to cancel filming plans so he can attend the King’s Coronation in May.
The insider said: “Tom has been invited to King Charles’ Coronation and there is no way he would have ever turned it down.
“It is a hugely prestigious event and Tom is a real royalist — plus he is now close with Prince William and Kate. Tom has told film bosses to shut down the production on Mission: Impossible over the Coronation weekend to make sure he can attend.
“It shocked some people on the film, as Tom is so dedicated to his craft and would never normally deviate from his intense production schedules.
“But something as important — and grand — as King Charles’s Coronation is something he would not want to miss out on. It is a huge thing for Tom to be invited and he is honoured.”
A look at The Princess Royal's royal engagement yesterday
Princess Anne was given a royal welcome yesterday, as she visited the David Livingstone Birthplace Museum.
During her visit, HRH toured the exhibition, met with trustees, volunteers & staff, and planted a tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.
Spot where Harry lost his virginity gets a Google Maps landmark
Google Maps users were stunned to find the spot where Prince Harry lost his virginity marked on the platform as a “historical landmark”.
A prankster managed to fool Google and get the location approved onto the site.
People managed to leave some cheeky “reviews” on the landmark before it was taken down.
“Putting this on the itinerary for our trip in May!” one joker commented.
“Should we crowdsource a commemorative plaque?” another added.
The marker appeared near the historic Vine Tree Inn in Norton, Wiltshire.
Sasha Walpole reveals why she lifted the lid on her secret after 21 years
The Sun exclusively revealed the 40-year-old mum was the "older" woman who took Harry's virginity in a grassy field behind a busy pub when he was 16.
Speaking of why she came forward, Sasha said: "People are asking family and friends, 'Oh yeah, we know who it is' and then suddenly it's just the reality of this isn't going to go away.
"Forever this is going to flare up until they know who it is, they're going to be questioning people and yes I could not have said anything but then it's never going to stop… this is a means to an end.”
Harry rubbishes story about Diana’s engagement ring
In his bombshell memoir Spare, Prince Harry said stories about him giving Prince William their late-mother’s engagement ring to propose to Kate Middleton were “absolute Rubbish”.
Harry says he found out about the engagement through the media, even though he’d just been holidaying with his brother in Lesotho.
The duke wrote in his memoir: “Soon after we returned to Britain the Palace announced that Willy was going to marry. November 2010… News to me. All that time together in Lesotho, he’d never mentioned it.
“The papers published florid stories about the moment I realised Willy and Kate were well matched, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and thus decided to gift Willy the ring I’d inherited from Mummy, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a bonding moment for all three of us, and absolute rubbish: none of it ever happened.
“I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give. He already had it. He’d asked for it after Mummy died, and I’d been more than happy to let it go.”
