PRINCE Harry and Meghan’s Megxit has thrown plans for next year’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations into turmoil.
Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, have officially stepped down as working royals and been stripped of their royal patronages and military titles, but the Prince wants to be included in the four-day extravaganza.
But that leaves organisers with an enormous headache as they try to work out what to do with the couple during the party, which will see senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony and a flypast for crowds on The Mall,to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
Senior royals will attend a string of spectacular events in London and other cities showcasing the Queen’s impact on Britain and the world.
An insider said: “Harry wants to be there. It is already causing a headache and is going to be very awkward.
“Where will they be positioned if they turn up? What events can they attend? Will we put them on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast?
“This is a celebration for the Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation and should not be overshadowed. There are now so many questions about what to do with Harry and Meghan.”
Follow our Harry and Meghan live blog below for the very latest news and gossip about the royal couple…
- Patrick Joseph DUGGAN
QUEEN'S JUBILEE TURMOIL
HARRY and Meghan’s Megxit has thrown plans for next year’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations into turmoil.
The Prince wants to be included in the four-day extravaganza, which will see senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony and a flypast for crowds on The Mall.
But that leaves organisers with an enormous headache as they try to work out what to do with the couple during the party celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
- Rebecca Flood
HALF OF BRITS TO SWITCH OFF IF HARRY & MEGHAN OPRAH INTERVIEW BROADCAST ON TV
More than half of Brits vowed to switch channels if Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey is broadcast here.
The couple are now a turn-off for millions of royalists, a survey reveals.
Most would prefer the Sussexes never to return to Britain, the exclusive Sun on Sunday poll says.
A third said their opinion of the couple has worsened since they left, and some 55 per cent said they will not watch the Oprah show compared with 27 per cent who will.
And 43 per cent do not want the couple to return to Britain and resume an active role in the Royal Family, while only 29 per cent would want them to come back.
- Rebecca Flood
HARRY AND MEGAHN 'THROW THE QUEEN'S JUBILLE CELEBRATIONS INTO TURMOIL'
The Prince wants to be included in the four-day extravaganza, which will see senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony and a flypast for crowds on The Mall.
But that leaves organisers with an enormous headache as they try to work out what to do with the couple during the party celebrating Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
An insider said: “Harry wants to be there. It is already causing a headache and is going to be very awkward."
- Rebecca Flood
HARRY AND MEGHAN 'MAY RE-SHOOT OPRAH SEGMENTS AFTER BEING STRIPPED OF THEIR PATRONAGES'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly may have to re-shoot their interview with Oprah Winfrey after being stripped of their royal roles.
Buckingham Palace announced on Friday that both Meghan and Harry have officially quit the Royal Family with the Duke, 36, losing his military titles.
The pair were interviewed by Oprah last week – shortly before being stripped of their royal roles.
The interview has now been "significantly" edited, the Mirror reported.
A source said: "When the Duke and Duchess spoke, it was never envisaged they would have their patronages taken away.
"They didn’t see it coming and spoke as they still had roles to play.
“Now, however, other than their titles, they are to have no role in royal life – a point producers know was not discussed when Winfrey spoke to them."
- Rebecca Flood
ROYALS TOLD TO 'HIDE BEHIND SOFA' FOR OPRAH CHAT
The Royal Family have been warned to "hide behind the sofa" when Harry and Meghan’s tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey airs next month.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have sat down with the chat show queen in a 90-minute interview — with Oprah’s pals suggesting "nothing will be off-limits"
It is believed the couple used the interview to "get what they want to say off their chests" before they announced they have permanently quit as frontline royals on Friday.
It was filmed on Tuesday — the same day the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was taken to the hospital — in the Californian enclave where Harry and Meghan are neighbours of 67-year-old Oprah Winfrey, reports the Times.
Meghan, 39, who is expecting their second child, will be the star of show, revealing her experience of "stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work".
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCESS ANNE SET TO TAKE OVER AS CAPTAIN GENERAL OF THE ROYAL MARINES
Princess Anne is set to take over from Prince Harry as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
Other patronages he held will be “shared out” among working royals, experts said last night.
The Princess Royal, 70, is likely to become the first female Captain General after Harry was forced to give up the role.
Royal sources said it would be “provocative” if the post were given to his brother William, 38.
Harry, 36, is said to “bitterly disappointed” at losing the role, among a host of other positions.
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCE HARRY 'DIDN'T TELL THE QUEEN ABOUT OPRAH INTERVIEW'
The Queen was 'blindsided' by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement of a 'tell-all' interview with Oprah Winfrey, it's reported.
The royal couple failed to inform the monarch of their plans before revealing they'll chat to the American chat show host.
And she only learned of it when US TV network CBS hurriedly issued a statement on Monday – after a producer working for Ms Winfrey mistakenly alerted ITV of the plans, the Mail on Sunday reports.
News of the big interview emerged after the couple announced Meghan's third pregnancy – and days before Buckingham Palace confirmed the pair will never return as senior royals.
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCE HARRY ' CALLED THE QUEEN ABOUT PHILIP'S HEALTH'
Prince Harry called the Queen to ask about Prince Philip's health, it was reported today.
The Duke of Sussex spoke with his 94-year-old grandmother as his 99-year-old grandfather was taken to hospital.
The Duke of Edinburgh has now spent a fifth night in hospital after being admitted to London’s King Edward VII Hospital last week.
And the Mail on Sunday today reported the 36-year-old royal called the Queen last week to ask about Prince Philip's health.
Harry is said to be self-isolating in his LA mansion with Meghan Markle and baby Archie in case he needs to return to Britain.
And the duke has made plans to fly back to the UK by private jet and is being kept "regularly informed" of Prince Philip's health, the Mirror previously reported.
- Rebecca Flood
OPRAH BOARDS PRIVATE JET AFTER FILMING INTERVIEW WITH HARRY AND MEGHAN
Prince Harry and Meghan have already had their bombshell TV chat with Oprah Winfrey.
The pair were interviewed by the US star last week — shortly before being stripped of their royal roles.
Oprah, 67, then left California — where the couple live — in her £50million private jet.
A source said: “The fact she has been with them at such an intense time has given her a unique insight into the rift with the royals.
“The drama of last week means that Oprah’s tell-all show will be pure box office gold.
“But it’s time for other royals to hide behind the sofa.
“The interview took place on Wednesday and Thursday.”
- Rebecca Flood
'PRINCE HARRY HAS BROKEN THE QUEEN'S HEART'
Tony Parsons gives his take on Megxit, and what it means for the royal family.
It's the least-surprising breaking news of the year – Harry and Meghan will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.
Approaching the 12-month review of Megxit, Buckingham Palace got in slightly early to reveal the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would be officially stepping down from royal duties.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal,” simpered an anonymous spokesman for the couple, a churlish statement which said nothing.
Read the full piece here.
- Rebecca Flood
WHAT DOES HARRY AND MEGHAN LOSING THEIR HONORARY TITLES MEAN FOR ARCHIE?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have officially been stripped of their honorary titles and patronages, as they confirmed they won’t be returning as senior royals.
Following their 12-month review of Megxit with the Queen, Buckingham Palace put out a statement saying the monarch was ‘saddened’ by the decision.
As part of the couple's agreement with the Queen last year, Meghan and Harry retained their His/Her Highness titles but no longer use them, and they will still be officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Read on to find out what it means for Archie and his sibling.
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCE HARRY'S PALS FEAR HE WILL REGRET DECISION TO QUIT FIRM
Prince Harry’s friend Martyn Compton fears his former Army comrade will live to regret his decision to halt his royal duties.
Martyn — badly burned in Afghanistan in 2006 and a pal of Harry’s for 15 years — says losing his honorary military titles as a result is bound to hurt the prince.
But here the ex-Household Cavalry Lance Corporal tells The Sun on Sunday’s Executive Features Editor Ben Griffiths that no royal can be seen to cash in.
Read the full story here.
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON 'COULD TAKE ON MORE ROYAL DUTIES'
Prince William and Kate Middleton may have to take on more royal duties after the Sussexes quit the Firm, it was claimed today.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry declared "service is universal" as they quit – stripped of their honorary titles and patronages as Megxit was finalised.
As part of the deal, Meghan lost two royal patronages given to her by the Queen in 2019 at the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, also giving up her role as vice-president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
It has been suggested Prince William and Kate Middleton may take on the roles left empty by the departure of Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36.
- Rebecca Flood
PRINCE WILLIAM 'SHOCKED AT PRINCE HARRY'S RESPONSE TO THE QUEEN'
Prince William was left "really sad and genuinely shocked" over his brother Harry and Meghan Markle's "petulant" response to the Queen as they officially quit the Royal Family, it was reported today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hit back at the 94-year-old monarch as they were stripped of their honorary titles on Friday, saying "service is universal".
And their response has reportedly left the Royal Family reeling, with a source telling the Sunday Times: "Don’t disrespect your granny, Harry."
- Becky Pemberton
MEGHAN’S SNACKING HABITS REVEALED
Meghan has spoken a fair bit about her diet in the past, and confirmed that one of her go-to healthy snacks is watermelon.
In a past interview, she said: “On set and at home, I try to always have a container of watermelon sprinkled with cinnamon because it elevates the flavour just a notch, and makes it feel special."
The mum-of-one also prefers a healthy drink to gorging on takeaways.
Speaking of her fast food choices, she told The Chalkboard in a past chat: "A green juice. That’s fast. And it’s food. It’s been many moons since I went through a drive thru."
- Becky Pemberton
QUEEN HAS NO PLANS TO STRIP HARRY AND MEGHAN OF THEIR DUKE AND DUCHESS TITLES
The Queen has no plans to strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their Duke and Duchess titles despite their dig at the Monarch after losing their royal roles, it's reported.
A source told the Mail: "He was born Prince Harry and will always be Prince Harry, while the [Sussex title] was a wedding gift."
But they can't use their HRHs in day-to-day life as they aren't working members of the Royal Family anymore.
Harry and Meghan were stripped of their royal roles to complete their Megxit.
- Becky Pemberton
WILLIAM AND KATE COULD 'TAKE ON MORE ROYAL DUTIES' AFTER MEGHAN AND HARRY QUIT
William and Kate Middleton may have to take on more royal duties after the Sussexes quit the Firm, it was claimed.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry declared "service is universal" as they quit – stripped of their honorary titles and patronages as Megxit was finalised.
It has been suggested Prince William and Kate Middleton may take on the roles left empty by the departure of Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36.
It was reported Rugby League chiefs want the future king to take on the patronage as the World Cup looms.
- Becky Pemberton
PRINCESS ANNE TO TAKE OVER FROM PRINCE HARRY AS CAPTAIN GENERAL OF THE ROYAL MARINES
Princess Anne is set to take over from Prince Harry as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
Other patronages he held will be “shared out” among working royals, experts said.
The Princess Royal, 70, is likely to become the first female Captain General after Harry was forced to give up the role.
Royal sources said it would be “provocative” if the post were given to his brother William, 38.
Harry, 36, is said to “bitterly disappointed” at losing the role, among a host of other positions.
- Becky Pemberton
HARRY DID 'NOT TELL THE QUEEN ABOUT OPRAH INTERVIEW'
The Queen was 'blindsided' by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's announcement of a 'tell-all' interview with Oprah Winfrey, it's reported.
The royal couple failed to inform the monarch of their plans before revealing they'll chat to the American chat show host.
And she only learned of it when US TV network CBS hurriedly issued a statement on Monday – after a producer working for Ms Winfrey mistakenly alerted ITV of the plans, the Mail on Sunday reports.
News of the big interview emerged after the couple announced Meghan's third pregnancy – and days before Buckingham Palace confirmed the pair will never return as senior royals.
Members of the Royal family usually run potential TV interview opportunities past the Queen in advance.
- Becky Pemberton
HARRY'S PAL FEARS FORMER ARMY COMRADE WILL REGRET LEAVING ROYAL DUTIES
Harry’s friend Martyn Compton fears his former Army comrade will live to regret his decision to halt his royal duties.
Martyn — badly burned in Afghanistan in 2006 and a pal of Harry’s for 15 years — says losing his honorary military titles as a result is bound to hurt the prince.
He told the Sun: "As Prince Harry’s friend and someone who has served alongside him, I’m shocked and amazed it’s all come to this.
"I genuinely hope the interview with Oprah Winfrey and all that goes with it is worth it to him as this is a very high price to pay.
"I don’t know what he’s getting out of it, perhaps it’s getting something off his chest. But with high-profile deals, including Netflix, what I do know is that no royal should ever be seen to be cashing in."
- Becky Pemberton
THIS IS THE £19 PRODUCT MEG USES TO LOOK MORE AWAKE
The duchess has opted for a nude-tone of eye pencil instead of her trademark dark eyeliner, make-up expert Francesca Abrahamovitch told the Daily Mail.
And Charlotte Tilbury sells the perfect one for just £19.
And she's been applying it just below her lower waterline, which can make anyone look like they've had a full eight hours sleep (sounds like magic to us).
Francesca said: "If you still want smoulder, smudge your dark pencil below it.
"As long as you steer clear of that all-important waterline, you'll maintain the eye-brightening illusion."
- Becky Pemberton
MEGHAN'S SWEET ANNIVERSARY GIFT
It’s been over two years since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tied the knot in a fairytale wedding in Windsor – and the Duchess really outdid herself with her first anniversary present to her husband.
According to People, Meghan hand wrote out their wedding speech and had it framed for Harry to tie in with the 'paper' tradition of the first wedding anniversary.
While it is not known what was exactly said by the bride on her wedding day, she did declare "I have found my prince."
She also spoke about her "special bond" with Prince Charles and thanked the royal family for "welcoming" her.
The Duchess of Sussex has been known for her beautiful handwriting over the years and even taught calligraphy lessons when she worked at the US stationery shop, Paper Source.
- Becky Pemberton
WHEN IS MEGHAN AND HARRY’S BABY DUE?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting a new addition to their family of three as they announced in a statement on February 14.
The couple said: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”
It is unclear when or where Meghan will give birth or what the sex of the baby is.
The duchess kept her pregnancy under wraps as her, Harry, and baby Archie have been social distancing in their Santa Barbara, California home.
- Becky Pemberton
'SHOCKED' WILLIAM'S FURY AT MEGHAN AND HARRY'S 'INSULTING' RESPONSE TO THE QUEEN OVER MEGXIT
William was left "really sad and genuinely shocked" over his brother Harry and Meghan Markle's "petulant" response to the Queen as they officially quit the Royal Family, it was reported today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hit back at the 94-year-old monarch as they were stripped of their honorary titles on Friday, saying "service is universal".
And their response has reportedly left the Royal Family reeling, with a source telling the Sunday Times: "Don’t disrespect your granny, Harry."
A source close to Prince William today said the Duke of Cambridge was "really sad and genuinely shocked" over the jibe from his brother.
They said the 38-year-old future king believed Harry and Meghan had been “insulting and disrespectful” to the Queen, and was “very upset by what has happened”.
- Lydia Hawken
SOME OF HARRY'S PATRONAGES 'MIGHT GO UNFILLED AS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH WORKING ROYALS'
Now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are definitely not returning as senior working Royals, their patronages have been returned to The Queen who will redistribute them amongst the Royal Family.
However, royal expert Dickie Arbiter has raised concerns about two of Harry's patronages – Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.
He told The Times: "There aren't many options in terms of the royals.
"There's not a lot to choose from. You might well hold fire, and stay in abeyance."
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