Meghan Markle’s pals Omid Scobie and Gayle King lead US coverage of Prince Philip’s funeral
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's pals Omid Scobie and Gayle King are leading American coverage of Prince Philip's funeral today.
King, the host of CBS This Morning, is anchoring a special report on the network for US TV - while Scobie reports live from Windsor Castle.
🔵 Read our Prince Philip funeral live blog for the latest updates
Scobie is reporting live from Windsor Castle for ABC during the duke's funeral service today.
He released Harry's personal tribute to Philip on his Twitter earlier this week.
And Scobie claimed the duke's death will be the "first steps forward" in Harry and William repairing their cracked relationship.
The brothers haven't seen each other in other a year - with the latter recently claiming his older brother was "trapped" in the Royal Family in his chat with Oprah Winfrey.
Scobie said: "I think just simply being in the same room as each other is enough to count as those first steps forward.
"As the days continue the focus will remain on Philip and the Queen but this will certainly at the least open the door to conversations later on."
Meanwhile King spoke out after the Sussexes' bombshell interview with Oprah where Meghan claimed an unnamed royal had raised “concerns” about the skin colour of her children, and alleged the Palace had denied her mental health support.
The broadcaster backed Meghan and said the Royal Family “has to acknowledge” its issue with race.
She added: “Right now, no one has acknowledged, Houston we have a problem here.”
It comes as:
- Harry and William will be reunited before the funeral for the first time in a year
- Meghan Markle is going to watch the service on a live stream from the US
- The funeral will be scaled-back due to Covid but the duke's personality is peppered throughout
- The full route his coffin will take on his final journey has been revealed
- A ring of steel has been placed around Windsor as cops search drains and comb the river
- Senior royals including Prince William have started arriving at Windsor Castle
She also revealed that Harry and William spoke on the phone after the Duke of Sussex's bombshell interview with Oprah, but claimed the conversation had not been "productive".
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Charles also arrived at Windsor Castle this afternoon to pay farewell to Prince Philip.
Kate was dressed all in black with a netted veil covering her face mask. She was also wearing a stunning pearl necklace belonging to the Queen and drop earrings.
Meanwhile William looked sombre in a black suit and black tie, teamed with a face mask.
His dad Prince Charles was pictured in a Tesla arriving at Windsor Castle with wife Camilla.
Prince Philip will make his final journey in a Land Rover hearse he designed himself to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The grieving Queen will pause to gaze on her husband's coffin as it is lowered to its final resting place — a poignant last goodbye to her husband of 73 years.
An insider said the monarch is “bearing up well” ahead of the service, adding: “Final preparations going on today and she is in control.”
FINAL FAREWELL
Prince William and Harry will not stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the ceremony, it was revealed this week.
Buckingham Palace revealed yesterday the warring brothers would be separated by their cousin Peter Phillips at the request of the Queen.
Due to Covid social-distancing rules, this means they will end up four metres apart during the eight-minute procession.
And they will be separated for a second time as they head into St George's Chapel for the service - with William walking ahead.
Jennie Bond claims the decision to separate the pair is a "sad, lost opportunity" for their relationship to be repaired.
In line with the Duke of Edinburgh's wishes, he will be laid to rest in a ceremonial - rather than state - funeral today.
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Action Stations, sounded on naval warships to signal all hands must go to battle stations, will be played at the request of the Duke.
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Buglers of the Royal Marines will perform the wartime alert, a tradition sometimes associated with naval funerals, in honour of Philip's active service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
And the Last Post will be played to signify "a soldier has gone to his final rest".
