BBC delay Meghan and Harry podcast after barrage of complaints
THE BBC has delayed a podcast about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after a controversial documentary sparked a furious reaction.
The Princes and the Press: Camilla Tominey says 'all hell broke loose'
The Harry, Meghan and the Media podcast was due to follow on from The Princes and the Press programme.
However, The Sun reports that the BBC has delayed the podcast after receiving more than 900 complaints over the two-part documentary on Prince William and Harry, which aired last month.
The programme was also blasted by the royal households for giving credibility to “overblown and unfounded claims”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said very clearly before, the podcast is still in production and will be released as a box set when it’s ready.”
Additional reporting by Katie Harris, Francesca Edwards and Jack Walters
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Princess Beatrice and Edoardo allowed royal Christmas after Meghan broke tradition
Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi can now attend official royal events and get the best seats in the house for royal celebrations after being married at an intimate wedding in July 2020.
However, historically, only members of the Royal Family can attend events, with unmarried partners supposed to stay away.
In 2019, Edoardo and Beatrice appeared with the Royal Family for a Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham before being married.
However, Meghan Markle made her first appearance at Sandringham with Prince Harry for Christmas in 2017.
The future Sussex royals announced their engagement in November 2017, and attended the Royal Family’s Christmas events five months before their wedding.
Speaking at the time, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Jacks Brooksbank weren’t afforded the same invitation.
He said: "In 2010 Kate was not invited to do so after her engagement to William nor was Mike Tindall after his to the Princess Royal's daughter Zara Phillips and only spouses and close family are usually invited.
"However Harry and Meghan will be living together at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace and her family are in the United States.
“The monarchy relies heavily on precedent and tradition but it also makes its own."
Prince Charles posts snaps from Wales
Clarence House's social media accounts have released images from the Duke of Cornwall's visit to the ruins of Abbey Cwmhir.
Writing about the location, the Prince's social media account said: "For the last 35 years, Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust has taken an active interest in promoting the history of this important site which, like Strata Florida, is a former Cistercian monastery."
The post added: "The Cistercian Abbey shares important Welsh history as it is the last resting place of the great poet Dafydd ap Gwilym, as well as many medieval Princes of Wales.
"Abbey Cwmhir has a similar connection – it is believed that Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (1223-1282) is buried there."
Queen gave permission for Zara Tindall to break Ascot rules
The 95-year-old monarch allowed granddaughter Zara Tindall to break Royal Ascot rules during the future Olympian's visit to the coveted event back in 1989.
Zara, who attended the event with her mother Princess Anne, was the only child to attend Ascot that year.
Ascot enforced strict age rules at the time which prohibited those under the age of 18 from attending.
Since then the rules have changed.
Meghan Markle gave Queen hilarious first Christmas gift
Being aware of Queen’s humorous side, Meghan’s first-ever festive gift to the monarch led her soon to be grandmother-in-law to burst out with laughter.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, present moved a step beyond as it not only made Her Majesty chuckle but also could have delighted some of the Queen's beloved four-legged friends.
Meghan, who at the time had just recently got engaged to Prince Harry, bought the Queen a singing hamster.
The 95-year-old monarch is reported to have said: “It can keep my dogs company.”
'Look at his chubby cheeks!' Unearthed photos of 'adorable' George send royal fans wild
Snaps of Prince George, now eight, were uploaded onto social media seven years after they were shared by Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 39.
One Twitter user, operating under the handle @loveforcambridg, responded to the post by saying: “Look at his chubby cheeks.
“These adorable pictures are among my all time favourites of Prince George.
Eva Lopez added: “I love this photo!”
“Sweet photo of the handsome future King George,” Billy Douglas wrote.
Mary Ruth went on to share the snaps to her own timeline.
She captioned her tweet by saying: “Some of my favourite pictures of Prince George.”
Archie Harrison 'loves' unusual Christmas present from Queen that Meghan Markle requested
Speaking about the Queen's gift, Prince Harry told James Corden: "My grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker.
"So she sent us a waffle maker for Archie.
“So breakfast now Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix, in the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes.
"He loves it. And now I have waffles for breakfast, bit of yoghurt, bit of jam on top.”
"I don't know if that's the right thing to do. Berries, bit of honey."
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Lilibet's first Christmas will be hugely different from Archie's
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet's first Christmas is likely to be very different from Archie's.
Archie spent his first Christmas in Canada but the royal family are set to spend this year at their home in Montecito.
Previously, there was speculation that the couple might return to the UK with Lilibet, to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Queen.
But the growing threat of Covid-19, following the emergence of the Omicron variant, has made it extremely unlikely that the family will return to the UK.
Read more here.
How have the royals stepped up while Queen rests
The Queen was ordered to rest by doctors in October after spending a night in hospital.
Although she has still held some engagement, senior royals have also stepped up to take on some of the Monarch's duties.
Princess Anne, is often dubbed Britain's hardest-working royal due to her unwavering dedication to the Crown.
According to the Telegraph, she has completed a staggering 368 engagements so far this year, more than any other member of the Royal Family.
Prince Charles and Camilla also stepped in after the Queen had to cancel her planned appearance at the COP26 summit.
Read more here.
Meghan and Harry 'most photogenic royal couple'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have claimed the title of "the most photogenic royal couple".
The royals generated more than 2.4 million Instagram hashtags, beating the the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at 2.2 million combined.
Harry and Meghan were also recently named by Time magazine as among the world’s 100 most influential people.
Read more here.
Prince Harry accused of 'joining crusade that will damage vaccine research'
Prince Harry has been accused of joining a crusade against big pharmaceutical companies "that would damage vaccine research".
The Duke of Sussex joined activists urging for the activation of an emergency compulsory licensing mechanism built into the World Trade Organisation, who believe it will assist the manufacturing of vaccines anywhere in the world.
Investigative journalist Andrew Orlowski criticised the Prince saying: "Removing patents will do little to help the world's poorest become vaccinated, contrary to Prince Harry 's belief."
Read more here.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo allowed royal Christmas
Princess Beatrice will enjoy her first royal Christmas attending official events and royal celebrations after marrying in July 2020.
Historically, only members of the Royal Family can attend events, with unmarried partners supposed to stay away.
The Royal Family reportedly plan this year’s trip to Sandringham for Christmas, after 2020 saw the family forced to celebrate separately due to coronavirus restrictions.
The invitation has been extended to Beatrice, Edoardo and Sienna, and to Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank and their baby son August
Kate and Wills put on 'racier display'
A royal commentator said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge put on a "much racier display" in their latest Christmas card.
Daniela Elser highlighted how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are resting a hand on the other's knee in the snap adding it was "not your usual royal Christmas card".
She added that the card signals "the extent to which they intend to do things their own way".
She said: "William and Kate might be inexorably making their way towards the throne but the message that is increasingly coming across is that they intend to do it on their own terms."
Read more here.
Lewis Hamilton to be knighted at Windsor
Lewis Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, days after losing out on a record eight Formula One world title.
The 36-year-old driver will attend an investiture where he will be honoured for services to motorsports.
Hamilton was given a knighthood in the New Year Honours list in 2020 following pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to approve the accolade.
His knighthood was awarded in the overseas list as he relocated to Monaco in 2010.
Hamilton was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Verstappen in the small media interview he gave following the race and ahead of the appeals.
Harry set new PR path for William
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their £18 million deal with Spotify last year.
Earlier this month, Prince William recorded an audio contribution for the podcast “Time to Walk” in Sandringham, encouraging people to focus on their mental health fitness this Christmas season as he opened up about his own struggle.
The Duke of Cambridge's “daring” attitude that allowed him to step out of his comfort zone was inspired by his younger brother, expert Rebecca English suggested.
Kate's 'down to earth' personality laid bare
Raducanu met Kate in September when the tennis enthusiast had the chance to congratulate the teenager on her historic triumph at the US Open.
During their meeting at the National Tennis Centre, the Duchess and Raducanu paired up in a game of doubles against other British stars.
Raducanu has recalled the "pretty surreal experience", giving royal watchers a glimpse into Kate's "down to earth" personality.
Kate and William in 'racier display'
Royal expert Daniela Elser highlighted how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are resting a hand on the other's knee in the snap.
Also pointing out that William is wearing shorts, Ms Elser said it was "not your usual royal Christmas card".
Writing for news.com.au, the royal commentator said: "What really sets this apart from previous stodgy fare of this sort is not only William’s casual attire but the fact that he and Kate have their hands on each other’s legs, putting on the most touchy-feely display by a monarch since King Henry VIII spotted Anne Boleyn and started to get ideas.
"This wasn’t just a tender intimacy but a much racier, if you will, display that stands in glaring contrast to their usual reserved and restrained public demeanours."
Kate and William did not bring children to latest event due to 'rule'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for a Christmas carol concert hosted by Kate last Wednesday.
But the couple did not bring Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, six, or three-year-old Prince Louis to the festive event at Westminster Abbey in London, which will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve.
Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told OK! Magazine: "The reality is that William and Kate have a rule that they do not take the children on any official engagements."
Queen on lookout for employee who wants to 'make your mark'
The Queen is looking for a new multi-skilled employee to join her staff at Windsor Castle.
The Queen is hiring a new gardener to help "shape the future of the gardens" at her home in Berkshire.
The Royal Household's website published a job advert providing details of the role and the qualities the perfect applicant should possess - including "self-discipline and time management skills".
Anne took on the most extra work to help Queen this year
The Princess Royal changed her diary to add 13 investitures since July.
Anne's total is significantly higher than Prince Charles who took on six and Prince William who did three.
It follows a backlog of investitures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A palace source told the Telegraph that Anne “enjoys investitures and meeting the recipients”.
Anne has also racked up the most engagements this year out of all the royals.
George, Charlotte and Louis 'absolutely delighted' ahead of Christmas with Queen
The source told Us Weekly: "The Cambridges are spending Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham.
"It’s going to be a big family affair.
"George, Charlotte and Louis are absolutely delighted to be seeing their great grandmother in person again."
Kate and William 'taking the lead' in Royal Family
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 39, are reportedly easier for young people to connect to as evidenced by Kate’s recent Christmas carol service.
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter told Femail: “It’s the third generation taking the lead – we’re living in a time, the Cambridges are the bridge within the monarchy."
Anne is 'real royal star'
The Princess Royal, 71, leads the pack ahead of the other royals, having completed a staggering 368 official engagements so far in 2021.
The second-place spot falls to Prince Charles, who has carried out 360 events.
Edo could break royal tradition thanks to Meghan
Despite not officially being part of the family at the time – he and Beatrice didn’t marry until 2020 – Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi was granted the rare privilege of joining in for the Christmas celebrations in 2019.
It is only the second time Her Majesty had allowed a non-royal to join the annual festive gathering.
In 2017, the tradition was also scrapped after Prince Harry invited his bride-to-be Meghan to join the royals.
Meghan faces 'big challenge' with family
Meghan has been warned her life ahead of joining the Royal Family could spark more unauthorised biographies with "awkward revelation".
Royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti has said members of her family could be inclined to publish biographies about the Duchess of Sussex and reveal "awkward" stories about her from before she was royal.