AN UNEARTHED letter written by Edward VIII, who famously abdicated the throne in 1936, reveals how he lured Lady Sheila Loughborough's husband away so his brother George VI could be alone with her.
The bombshell letter, written on June 9, 1919, has come to light after its owner put the missive up for auction.
According to Mail Online, Simon Luterbacher, specialist at Forum Auctions, said: "A bit of sibling solidarity was at play as they tried to get George alone with Lady Loughborough."
In other royal news, according to royal biographer Penny Junor, Prince Charles is dreading the moment that he will ascend to the throne – despite having been preparing for the role for much of his life.
Speaking on Podcast Royal, Penny Junor, said: "It’s going to be a very vicious week, moment and I think that I am sure that he is pretty terrified of the whole prospect."
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
Harry & Meghan 'recruiting new in-house staff'
Bosses at Spotify are stepping in to help Harry and Meghan deliver the goods.
They are recruiting new in-house staff to work with Harry and Meghan's Archewell Audio for a show that features "the voices of high profile women."
The jobs are being offered to applicants on short six-month contracts based in Los Angeles.
Harry and Meghan's only podcast effort so far has been a 35-minute 'holiday special' in December 2020, featuring celebrity pals such as Elton John and James Corden.
Fans have been questioning when their so-called "full-scale launch" of episodes would be coming.
With only one show under their belts, the streaming platform has so far paid the couple £500,000 for each minute.
- Milica Cosic
Harry & Meghan's 'secret talks’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle asked for secret talks with Spider-Man couple Tom Holland and Zendaya despite them never meeting previously, a source has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess were eager to rub shoulders with the Spider-Man: No Way Home stars whose recent release took £1.27billion at the box office.
An old friend of Harry has revealed that the couple contacted Tom and Zendaya out of the blue and asked them to meet.
He told Mail Online: “Tom and Zendaya were rather bemused, from what I hear.
“Tom had never met Harry or spoken to him in his life, so didn't know what they wanted.”
However, the two couples did meet up in secret at the Sussex's sprawling, nine-bedroom Montecito home.
The source claimed: “The meeting took place.”
It's thought that the royals may have been eager to chat to American Zendaya and Brit Tom to persuade them to take part in one of their media projects.
- Milica Cosic
Andrew 'admits' links to Jeffrey Epstein & Ghislaine Maxwell
The Duke's legal reply does admit his links to billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The document, submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, also sets out a series of defences "without assuming the burden of proof, and expressly denying any and all wrongdoing".
This includes arguments that the claim should be dismissed because Ms Giuffre is a permanent resident of Australia and that by entering into the 2009 agreement with Jeffrey Epstein she "waived the claims now asserted in the complaint".
- Milica Cosic
Virginia ‘will accept settlement if Andrew is held to account’
PRINCE Andrew accuser Virginia Roberts will "accept a settlement if the Prince is held to account," her lawyer has claimed.
US attorney David Boies has slammed "victim shaming" Duke after he demanded a trial by jury in his battle against sex abuse claims earlier this week.
Mr Boies who is leading the sexual abuse case has said it is not about the money, despite claims, the case is likely to be settled.
He told the Telegraph: “What’s important for Virginia is to vindicate herself and the other victims.
"Not to let someone escape responsibility, just because of their wealth and power. To hold Prince Andrew to account.
"But how that vindication is accomplished is still open [to discussion].”
- Milica Cosic
Meghan & Harry's 11 companies
- Peca Publishing, LLC
- Orinoco Publishing, LLC
- Cobblestone Lane, LLC
- IPHW, LLC
- Archewell Audio, LLC
- Archewell Productions, LLC
- Baobab Holdings, LLC
- Bridgemount, LLC
- Hampshire, LLC
- Nemawashi Holdings, LLC
- RPV Holdings, LLC
Inside Harry & Meg’s business empire hidden in secretive tax havens (Continued…)
More than half of their new companies are set up for the “entertainment” sector — with their firms appearing to take names that are dear to them.
So what are these and what do they all mean?
One company, Cloverdale Inc, has the same name as the Los Angeles street in which the young Meghan Markle lived with her mum, Doria.
They shared a modest top-floor apartment after Doria’s divorce from Meghan’s dad, Thomas.
Another company, Orinoco Publishing LLC, may be a nod to one of Harry’s late mum Princess Diana’s favourite songs.
Another publishing firm, Peca Publishing LLC, is among Harry and Meghan’s listings. Peca means freckle in Spanish and could be influenced by the first book Meghan wrote, as a child, called A Face Without Freckles Is A Night Without Stars
The company was founded in 2020 and once held the rights to her children’s book The Bench.
Read more here.
Inside Harry & Meg’s business empire hidden in secretive tax havens
THE US state of Delaware is at first glance an odd place for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to set up a string of companies for their burgeoning business empire.
Some 2,800 miles from their sun-kissed Californian mansion, it is unclear whether or not Harry and Meghan have even visited the state famed for its peach custard pie.
Yet it emerged last week that it is here, on America’s Atlantic seaboard, that the couple’s busy business and legal managers have incorporated 11 companies and a trust for the couple since April 2020.
The state, a secretive tax haven where company accounts do not have to be made public, has more firms registered within its bounds than it counts residents.
The Sussexes’ filings offer a glimpse into their lucrative work outside the Royal Family and the direction that their media empire is likely to take.
Jubilee coin to enter circulation
The Royal Mint has unveiled a new commemorative coin showing the Queen on horseback, ahead of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee this year.
Some 1.3 million coins will enter Post Office tills across the UK from Monday 7 February, the Royal Mint says.
That makes the Jubilee 50p one of the rarest ever to enter circulation.
The design, by artists Osborne Ross, features a number 70 engraved on the tails side of the coin, with the monarch's cypher and dates of reign framed inside the zero.
It is one of two special edition 50p coins to be released as part of a Royal Mint collection celebrating the unprecedented anniversary.
The second coin, by artist John Bergdahl and depicting the Queen on horseback on its heads side, will not enter circulation.
Will there be a Jubilee Medal?
The Jubilee medal will be created and awarded to public services workers.
In keeping with tradition the Platinum Jubilee medal will be awarded to people who work in public service including representatives of the Armed Forces, the emergency services and the prison services.
The traditions stretches back to the reign of Queen Victoria when an official medal was designed to mark her 50th anniversary on the throne.
Culture Secretary Dowden said: "Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee will be a truly historic moment – and one that deserves a celebration to remember.
"We can all look forward to a special, four-day Jubilee weekend, when we will put on a spectacular, once-in-a-generation show that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour with cutting edge art and technology.
"It will bring the entire nation and the Commonwealth together in a fitting tribute."
- Milica Cosic
Will the Queen's Platinum Jubilee be a bank holiday?
Yes, in November 2020, Oliver Dowden announced "a four-day Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate The Queen’s 70-year reign".
The May Bank Holiday Weekend will be moved to Thursday, June 2, 2022.
An additional Bank Holiday will take place on Friday, June 3, 2022.
It means there will be a four-day weekend to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
- Milica Cosic
When is the Queen's Platinum Jubilee?
Princess Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952 – the day her father King George VI died.
Therefore February 6, 2022, will mark 70 years on the throne.
However, the UK will celebrate Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary as monarch with a blockbuster weekend of celebrations in June 2022.
It is the first time any British monarch has reached this historic milestone.
- Milica Cosic
Sun readers share their heartwarming stories of meeting The Queen
NEXT weekend, the Queen will have been on the throne for an incredible 70 years.
Her Majesty has met thousands of people – in all walks of life, all over the world – over those decades. No one forgets the moment they came face to face with her.
So we asked for your memories of the day YOU met the Queen – and they were wonderful!
- 'I remember thinking: What a beautiful face. She’s so amazing'
- We were ordered at RAF lunch not to stare – but it was hard
- The picture of our meeting hangs proudly in my hallway
- Chat on Canada tour made my Grandad so proud
Read the stories in full here.
Prince Charles is ‘terrified’ of becoming King
Prince Charles is “dreading” the moment he becomes King and takes over from the Queen, a royal expert has said.
According to royal biographer Penny Junor, it will be a terrifying prospect for the Prince of Wales.
Speaking on Podcast Royal, she said: “This is a moment that he has been dreading all his life really because his achieving the top job, the job he’s been training for and preparing for all these years does inevitably mean the death of his mother and he loves his mother very dearly.
“So it’s going to be a very vicious week, moment and I think that I am sure that he is pretty terrified of the whole prospect.
"He is a very emotional man and a sensitive man, he did take the death of his father very badly.
"He takes the death of any loved one to heart and I think it would be, it’s devastating for him as it is for anyone who loses a much-loved mother.”
AN UNEARTHED letter written by Edward VIII, who famously abdicated the throne in 1936, reveals how he lured Lady Sheila Loughborough's husband away so his brother George VI could be alone with her.
The bombshell letter, written on June 9, 1919, has come to light after its owner put the missive up for auction.
In Edward's letter to his married lover Freda Dudley Ward, he wrote: "I simply couldn't hit a ball at golf & Bertie beat my head off, f- him… we motored on to Winchester reaching Lankhills at 5:30.
"After tea I managed to lure Loughie (Lord Loughborough) away on the pretext of wanting to play a few more holes of golf on the local course, so as to give Sheilie a chance of being alone with Bertie; they said they were tired & we left them…"
According to Mail Online, Simon Luterbacher, specialist at Forum Auctions, said: "A bit of sibling solidarity was at play as they tried to get George alone with Lady Loughborough."
The letter is up for £2,500 at London-based Forum Auctions, with the sale taking place on February 10.
'Prince Andrew, you have the intelligence of a dishwasher'
This is a comment piece by Jeremy Clarkson
He really believes that having convinced everyone in Britain of his innocence, all he has to do now is use his charm and intellect to convince 12 Americans that he had no part to play in the terrible Jeffrey Epstein saga.
His lawyers must be sitting in their offices now, gently banging their foreheads on their desks while saying over and over: “Please God, no.”
I bet it’s a similar story behind the scenes at the Palace.
Of course, it is entirely possible he’s innocent, in which case we can understand his pain and frustration.
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
'Categorically untrue that any help has been offered by Kevin Spacey'
The hope of drawing Spacey to the stand comes after Andrew’s request for a trial by jury raised eyebrows among many at the prospect of his most intimate personal details being presented in open court.
Both Prince Charles and Prince William are understood to be spearheading efforts to avoid the spectacle of a public trial to protect the family from any possible further humiliation.
The trial would see him face accusations from Ms Giuffre, now 38.
Last night a spokesman for the Duke of York said of Spacey: “It is categorically untrue that any help has been offered or that we have accepted any.”
The actor was unavailable for comment.
- Milica Cosic
Seven bizarre claims from Prince Andrew’s legal papers
The Duke of York has denied being a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted sex trafficker, while his lawyers say he wants a trial by jury to contest the claim brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew faces damages which could “easily” be in excess of £14m if he loses the civil case, according to lawyers.
The Duke has consistently denied all the allegations, and on Wednesday, his lawyers officially filed documents to court. A trial is scheduled for later this year.
Here are seven bombshells from Prince Andrew’s court documents.
- Doesn’t admit to knowing whether Epstein was registered sex offender when he visited
- Denies being close friends with Maxwell
- Claims he wasn’t frequent guest of Epstein
- Doesn’t know if Virginia Roberts picture exists
- Doesn’t know if he invited Epstein to Beatrice’s 18th birthday
- Doesn’t know whether he emailed Maxwell about Giuffre in 2015
- Claims Guiffre and others were responsible for her own alleged abuse
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Andrew to get 'help from Kevin Spacey to clear his name'
PRINCE Andrew wants to turn to disgraced actor Kevin Spacey to try to clear his name, The Sun has been told.
The Duke wants to distance himself from convicted Ghislaine Maxwell, who was infamously pictured larking around in Buckingham Palace’s throne room with the shamed actor in 2002.
The VIP tour was organised by Andrew — but he wants Spacey to tell jurors it was he who invited pal Maxwell.
A source said: “Andrew had invited Spacey for the tour of the Palace. She came with him — not as a guest of Andrew’s.”
Spacey, 62, is said to be “high on a hit list of names” who Andrew’s legal team want to call on after he demanded a trial by jury over sex abuse allegations.
- Milica Cosic
Fans happy as Kate swipes role from Harry
Following Prince Harry's decision to step down from royal duties, Kate Middleton is set to replace him in a key role.
The Duchess will take on the role of patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). This will put her at competition with her husband, Prince William, as he has been the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016.
Royal fans are delighted at the news, with them taking to Twitter to express their joy
One fan wrote: "Looking forward to seeing more “competition” between W&C. They have good fun with it!"
Another said: "That will be great fun when England play Wales. I can see them poking fun at each other."
- Milica Cosic
'No chance Harry would leave Spotify'
Spotify has been waiting more than a year for Meghan and Harry to produce further podcast content, having released just one 35 minute episode so far.
But any material they produce from now on will have to compete for hits against the Joe Rogan Experience – Spotify’s most listened to podcast.
Its host has suggested young people don’t need the Covid vaccine – which Angela Levin believes is the "exact opposite" to what Harry has plugged.
On whether he will reconsider his podcast, Angela, who spent a year working with Harry for an authorised biography, said: "I think there’s no chance Harry would leave [Spotify].
"One, because he has not left Netflix even though it has been incredibly rude about his mother and his father and all the Royal Family. He doesn't seem to care.
"He also now has quite a reputation for being a hypocrite after lecturing us not to fly but flying himself on a private plane.
"He's been very angry about [the lack of access to vaccines in poorer country's] and is working with someone who is campaigning the exact opposite."
- Milica Cosic
Prince Andrew sex trial could cause ‘huge damage’
ROYAL insiders fear Prince Andrew's demand for a trial by jury in his civil sex case against Virginia Giuffre could cause "huge damage" to the monarchy.
The Duke of York sensationally insisted he would face a jury in New York in his battle against sex abuse claims bought against him by the 38-year-old.
Legal expert Mark Stephens told The Sun that the filing was “classic brinkmanship” from Andrew and his legal team.
But insiders fear that Andrew's "bullish" decision to face a jury and "clear his name" could have catastrophic affects on The Firm.
A royal source told The Mirror: "It’s the ultimate gamble. He is putting himself at the mercy of a jury."
The source added that "questions will be asked about the wisdom of a bullish counter-attack" at this point.
- Milica Cosic
Queen 'always forgives' Prince Andrew
A royal biographer has claimed that Prince Andrew was 'always forgiven' by the Queen and had a "radically different personality to his siblings.
Nigel Cawthorne wrote in the Daily Mail two years ago that Buckingham Palace staff found Andrew a “handful” from the very beginning.
He said: "He had seven nurseries in four palaces, endless sumptuous treats and far more of his mother’s attention.
“Somehow, Andrew was always forgiven — even when he sprinkled itching power in his mother’s bed or climbed on to the roof of Buckingham Palace to turn the TV aerial so that the Queen wouldn’t be able to watch the racing at Sandown Park.”
- Milica Cosic
Another blow for Andrew as he gives up golf club membership
The Duke of York, 61, gave The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews "notification" he wished to hand back his membership, the club said yesterday.
Giving up his membership will be a humiliation for the duke who is a passionate golf fan, meeting many of the top names in the sport over the years.
Andrew will no longer enjoy the perks of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, where the duke was regarded as being a member in a private capacity.
A spokesperson for the club, said: “I can confirm that The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has received notification that the Duke of York will relinquish his honorary membership.
"We respect and appreciate his decision.”
- Milica Cosic
Royal news you may have missed
- Prince Harry blasted for refusing to terminate £18m Spotify deal over Joe Rogan’s anti-vaccine views
- ‘Hypocrite’ Prince Harry doesn’t care about anti-vaxxers on Spotify – he won’t ditch £18m podcast deal, expert says
- Scruffy Prince Andrew told me to ‘f*** off’ when I thought he was an INTRUDER in Palace security scare, says ex-cop
- Prince Charles and William ‘in bid to stop Andrew fighting sex abuse case in court’
Queen resumes a royal tradition
The Queen will mark the beginning of her 70th year on the throne on February 6, but will also mark her father King George VI's death.
Podcaster Christina Garibaldi said that this is a time of mourning for the Queen.
Speaking on the Royally Us podcast, she said: "Queen Elizabeth, after months at Windsor Castle, she travelled to Sandringham to honor a tradition…70 years on the throne but this is also a time of mourning as well.
Co-host Christine Ross replied: “You would initially think this is a celebratory event for her but actually it is the anniversary of her father's death and I think her father died quite early.
"She was very very young so it was a huge transition for her so she tends to spend this day privately in a time of reflection, so she's gone up to Sandringham which is such an important place to her.
“I think it really must feel like home for her, it's in such a beautiful setting in Norfolk normally, she goes up there in December ahead of the Christmas season but she stayed in Windsor for Christmas and for the New Year."
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