Prince Harry news — Meghan Markle ‘didn’t want to stay’ as palace ‘failed on her unrealistic expectations’ of royal life
- Prankster adds spot where Prince Harry lost his virginity on Google Maps
- BBC looking into an interview with the King ahead of coronation
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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.
Royal fans react as Coronation Concert ticket ballot opens
Royal fans have rushed to social media following the news that the Coronation Concert ticket ballot is officially open.
After the Royal family shared the news online, fans were quick to apply for tickets.
One wrote: ''Done....fingers crossed.''
A second said: ''Have entered this one, it would be lovely to bring my kid to this.''
Ticket ballot for the Coronation Concert is open!
Buckingham Palace has announced that the ticket ballot for the Coronation Concert is now open.
The BBC today revealed details for a national ballot where 5,000 members of the public will be selected to receive a pair of free tickets to join thousands of others at a concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday, May 7.
You can apply for a ticket by visiting the anytime until 23.59pm on Tuesday, February 28.
The royals have confirmed 10,000 tickets will be allocated based on the geographical spread of the UK population and not on a first-come first-served basis.
Balmoral Castle to fully reopen next month
The royal estate has confirmed Balmoral Castle will fully reopen to the public once more following the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Grounds are now reopening to the public from April 1 – offering access to the ballroom, exhibitions and grounds.
Royal fans are set to visit to the castle to pay tribute to the late monarch.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased on the official Balmoral Estate website.
Her Majesty spent her final days at Balmoral before she passed away there on September 8, 2022, aged 96.
‘The monarchy will survive’ claims commentator
A royal commentator has asserted that the Firm will overcome any challenges it faces in the coming year.
Speaking on behalf of, royal commentator Charles Rae said: “The monarchy will survive.
“It has survived for thousands of years and has faced many controversies, executions, abdications, affairs, falls and rises in popularity, which will continue.
“I believe the monarchy is probably the greatest living soap opera and can easily outdo the likes of EastEnders and Coronation Street.
“Whatever happens in the future for the monarchy, it will deal with it in the best way it sees fit.”
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.
In pictures: King Charles welcomes President Zelensky to Buckingham Palace
During Volodymyr Zelensky‘s visit to the UK yesterday, King Charles welcomed the Ukrainian president to Buckingham Palace.
Zelensky was greeted in the Palace quadrangle before being taken inside the royal residence for an audience with the monarch.
Credit: AFP 
Credit: Getty 
Credit: Getty - Pool Kate Middleton hugs former history teacher during museum visit
The Princess of Wales was seen embracing her former history teacher during a royal visit to the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, Cornwall, yesterday.
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."
When asked by reporters how she was as a pupil, he replied: "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."
Prince Harry calls for cost of living support for children in charity video
Speaking in a video on behalf of Wellchild, a charity he has been a patron of since 2007, Prince Harry asked for support in easing the “tremendous pressure” families are facing during the cost of living crisis.
The duke talked about the “immense challenges” facing families caring for children with complicated medical needs during his appeal.
Harry called for people to nominate “someone you know” for a WellChild award, in an effort to “grow the WellChild family”.
In the clip released yesterday, he said: “WellChild… creates a network of support for families who are facing countless medical, logistical and mental health challenges, compounded by a cost-of-living crisis that adds tremendous pressure in caring for their children who are dependent on life-saving equipment.
“And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the carers and health professionals, doctors, nurses, teachers, play specialists and many more, who are part of the WellChild family as well.
“They deliver life-changing support each and every day.
“Despite facing immense challenges, WellChild families continue to display a resilience and fortitude that is nothing short of inspiring.”
The prince added: “Each year, I so look forward to meeting with the award winners and spreading awareness about this incredible charity.”
Sasha Walpole says she 'almost fell off her sofa' when she found out Harry revealed their romp
Sasha Walpole told how she had no idea Harry had revealed the details of their romp in his bombshell book until a friend messaged her.
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 to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, 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."
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.”
Royal fans notice key difference between the King and late-Queen’s stamps
Royal fans were surprised to notice a remarkable difference between the new King Charles stamp and those bearing the late-Queen’s portrait: the crown is missing.
Charles is the seventh monarch to appear on a stamp, but the first to do so without the crown.
Despite abdicating before he was actually crowned, even King Edward VIII’s stamps featured the crown.
Royal fans praise Kate Middleton’s support of Children’s Mental Health Week
Royal fans have praised Kate Middleton for showing her support and working to help others during Children’s Mental Health Week.
On Monday a video was shared by Kensington Palace showing the Princess as she visited a primary school to discuss the importance of supporting the cause and connecting with others.
Taking to Twitter one wrote: ”Wow, what a wonderful and meaningful way to kick off #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek!
”We couldn’t agree more with The Princess of Wales on the importance of supporting children’s mental health and fostering connections. Thank you for leading by example and spreading awareness.”
A second said: ”What a great way to get children to start really valuing their relationships.”
Puppets the spitting image of Harry & Meg
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeared on stage as unflattering puppets in the new theatrical production: Spitting image saves the World.
The duke and duchess appeared in the show’s world premiere on Tuesday alongside a string of frightful famous foam faces, including King Charles, Tom Cruise and Stormzy.
The production is being staged at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and was co-written by Sean Foley, Matt Forde and Al Murray.
Credit: PA 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.”
Harry and Meghan to be questioned in Samantha Markle’s defamation case
Samantha Markle, Meghan’s half-sister, is suing her for “defamation and injurious falsehoods” after the couple were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021.
She alleges that she was defamed as Meghan “falsely and maliciously” said that she was “an only child.”
Both Prince Harry and Meghan will be questioned in the US case after a motion to stop depositions was dismissed by a judge.
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.”
King Charles will not feature on new Australian $5 note
King Charles will not feature on Australia‘s new $5 note, following a decision by The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
The late Queen‘s portrait on the current fiver will be replaced with a tribute to indigenous Australians.
In a statement, RBA said: “This decision by the Reserve Bank Board follows consultation with the Australian government, which supports this change.
“The Bank will consult with First Australians in designing the $5 banknote.
“The new banknote will take a number of years to be designed and printed.
“In the meantime, the current $5 banknote will continue to be issued. It will be able to be used even after the new banknote is issued.”
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 .
Who will perform at the King's coronation concert?
It was revealed today how Brits can get their hands 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.
Will Archie attend King Charles’ coronation?
King Charles’ coronation is fast approaching, but could one of his grandchildren miss the historic event?
Archie, the oldest son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, could be set to miss his granddad’s big day.
This is because the day of the coronation, May 6, clashes with little Archie’s birthday.
This could see Harry and Meghan make the decision to spend the day celebrating their son’s birthday instead of the coronation.
More on Will and Kate's visit to Falmouth
Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared more details on their trip to the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall today.
Taking to Twitter, the couple shared a series of snaps and said: "Here in Falmouth @TheNMMC isn’t just the home of maritime history but also a superb educational hub transferring skills and knowledge between generations.
"What a brilliant place The Dracaena Centre is!
"With everything from wellbeing support services to early childhood groups, spaces for all sorts of sport and other activities, you can really see why the centre is so special to the community."
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.
How will the tickets for the King's coronation concert be released?
There will be 5,000 tickets available to the public for the King's historic coronation concert.
The tickets will be allocated all across the country via a ballot which opens at 7am tomorrow (Friday).
The ballot will be open until February 28 and IS NOT first come first serve.
You will need to head to the BBC's website to get your hands on a ticket.
Date of coronation tickets to be revealed TONIGHT
The date tickets for the King's coronation concert will be available for Brits will be revealed TONIGHT.
On the BBC's One Show, it was revealed a ballot will take place to decide who gets to attend the historic concert.
Stay tuned to find out!
William and Kate share message of support for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey
Prince William and Kate Middleton took to Twitter today to share a message of support for the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this week.
The couple wrote: "We have been horrified to see the harrowing images coming out of Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes this week.
"Our thoughts are with the communities affected and we are pleased to support the @decappeal campaign which will aid the response on the ground. W & C"
