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…
MEGABUCKS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could make MILLIONS more as Megxit clears a path for megabucks Hollywood deals.
The couple, who signed a £30million deal with Spotify in December, could now be tapped up with offers from agents after their split from the Royals.
Last year, they signed a £112million Netflix deal with the couple agreeing to be filmed for a fly-on-the-wall reality series.
One source said the former actress, who starred in the hit US drama Suits, wants the world to see the “real her”.
‘LIFE OF SERVICE’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been stripped of their honorary titles by the Queen but hit back saying “we can all live a life of service”.
The 94-year-old monarch said she was “saddened” after her grandson and the Duchess of Sussex confirmed they would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
ANNE STEPS UP
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 author Phil Dampier said: “The Princess Royal is a good fit for the Marines and I think she is highly likely to be offered the role.
“She is widely respected and trusted, and is already associated with the military.”
HARRY AND MEGHAN ‘CROSSED RED LINE’
The Queen “loves her children and being a grandmother” but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “crossed a red line” by deciding to walk away from the royal family, an expert has claimed.
The royal expert describes the Queen as a “patient woman” but said that her sense of duty came before her grandson, Harry, the Mirror reports.
The statement released by the palace said the Monarch was saddened by the decision, but the Queen has tried to “protect the royal family and avoid it being tainted” said royal expert Angela Levin.
She suggested there’d been “a lot of rumours that the Queen would do this” so she wasn’t “in the least surprised.”
PRINCE HARRY STEPS DOWN AS PATRON OF ENGLAND RUGBY
Prince Harry has stepped down from his job as patron of the RFU.
The rugby-mad royal, who famously celebrated England’s 2003 World Cup win with the squad in Australia, has been patron at Twickenham since 2016.
But with Harry stepping back as a senior royal and moving to America, Buckingham Palace have confirmed he has stepped down from a number of roles that came through his royal links.
England Rugby confirmed: “Prince Harry will be stepping down from his role as RFU Patron.
“We would like to thank Prince Harry for his time and commitment to the RFU both in his position as Patron and Vice Patron. The RFU has greatly valued his contribution to promoting and supporting the game.”
MEGHAN AND HARRY SAID THEY REMAIN ‘COMMITTED’ TO THE UK
Just moments after Buckingham Palace said the couple would be officially stepping down, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a statement saying they would “remain committed” to the UK.
Their statement said: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Harry and Meghan said they remain ‘committed’ to the UKCredit: AFP or licensors MEGHAN ‘NOT INVOLVED IN MEGXIT TALKS’
Meghan Markle wasn’t involved in talks that led to her and Prince Harry being stripped of their honorary titles by the Queen, a Palace statement suggests.
Friday’s announcement from the Palace refers to “conversations with The Duke”, suggesting Meghan, 39, wasn’t involved in the Megxit talks.
It’s reported that the Palace entered final talks with Harry, 36, last week.
The Palace statement said: “In stepping away from the work of the Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
More on the story here
HARRY ‘PUSHED ROYAL EXIT TALKS’
Prince Harry urgently pushed for Megxit talks before Meghan Markle’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey was revealed, an insider has claimed.
Last week, the Duke and Duchess confirmed they would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.
According to the Daily Mail, the Duke of Sussex pushed to restart talks over his and Meghan’s royal position earlier this year.
An insider told the paper there was a “puzzling sense of urgency” to his requests to get talks over the line which reportedly confused officials at Buckingham Palace.
But when the news of Meghan’s “tell all” interview with Oprah Winfrey broke earlier last week it “all became clear”, the source added.
KATE AND WILLIAM ‘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 yesterday.
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.
Meanwhile, The Duke, a keen rugby fan, will no longer be a patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League – roles which he took over from the Queen.
Harry is also no longer a patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust after nine years in the role or WellChild.
And 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.
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PRINCE CHARLES VISITED PRINCE PHILIP IN HOSPITAL ON SATURDAY
Prince Charles was the first member of the royal family to visit Prince Philip – making the 200-mile round-trip from his home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire, on Saturday afternoon.
It is understood that Charles wanted to visit his father due to Philip’s extended stay.
The prince arrived in a grey Tesla car at around 3.20pm on Saturday and got out of the vehicle wearing a face mask, before leaving the hospital around 30 minutes later.
A Clarence House spokesman confirmed he returned to Highgrove following his visit.
It is thought Charles had not seen his father since before Christmas because of the nationwide coronavirus restrictions, with the duke staying at Windsor Castle with the Queen.
Credit: PA:Press Association STAYING IN TOUCH
Prince Harry called the Queen to ask about Prince Philip’s health, it was reported yesterday.
The Duke of Sussex spoke with his 94-year-old grandmother as his 99-year-old grandfather was taken to hospital.
Philip, 99, was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell. The duke is said to have walked in unaided.
Prince Harry 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 reported.
QUEEN ‘BLINDSIDED’
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
