Tag Archives: Duchess

Duchess set for UK return with Harry in September with plans for another memorial event

MEGHAN MARKLE ‘UPSET PEOPLE FROM EARLY ON’ AS SHE’S ‘NOT AS CHARMING AS SHE SEEMED’

Meghan Markle upset people from the early days of her joining the Royal Family as she was not as charming as she seemed, a royal biographer has claimed.

Speaking on a documentary about the Royal brothers, Penny Junor claimed that she had heard the bad stories about Meghan from early on.

“I was hearing very bad stories from early on that Meghan was upsetting people,” she told the ITV documentary, Harry & William: What Went Wrong?.

“She was not as charming as she seemed.”

Junor went on to say that the Duchess’s approach is not just Californian but “showbiz-y, celebrity.”

“Our Royal Family are not celebrities,” she said. “They are working members of a public institution.

“I was appalled by the Oprah interview. These are not statements that should be made for public consumption.

“This is the sort of thing that should happen in the privacy of a psychiatrist’s couch.”



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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: Royals hire external law firm to investigate bullying claims

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said on Monday: “Our commitment to look into the circumstances around allegations from former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is being taken forward but we will not be providing a public commentary on it.”

CNN was not told which firm would be investigating the claims. The move comes as the Palace faces a crisis over the allegations made by Prince Harry and Meghan in their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Harry and Meghan did not comment on Monday, but a spokesperson for the couple previously dismissed bullying accusations reported by The Times newspaper as “defamatory.”

“Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” the Sussexes’ spokesperson said. “We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.”

The Palace’s aggressive plan to probe the report contrasts starkly with its approach towards Meghan’s allegation of racism against a senior royal, which the family said it would keep in-house.

Contrasting approaches from the Palace

The war of words between the two camps erupted shortly before the airing of Meghan and Harry’s discussion with Winfrey, in which the couple lifted the lid on the difficulties of their lives as royals and made a series of damning allegations against the family.

Most strikingly, Meghan said that there were “concerns and conversations” about the skin color of their baby, Archie, and “what that would mean.” Buckingham Palace later said the allegation of racism was “concerning” but that it would “be addressed by the family privately.”

It has taken a different approach with the claims that Meghan bullied royal staff, which emerged in an article in The Times. Critics of the Palace are also likely to point out that they have launched no such independent inquiry into the relationship between Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, the late disgraced financier and convicted pedophile.

But those allegations differ in that they relate to senior royals rather than staff, whose complaints are more likely to fall under the remit of human resources. The hiring of an outside firm comes after the Palace said their “HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article.”

“Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned,” it said in its earlier statement.

During their interview with Winfrey, Harry and Meghan said they complained several times to the Palace that their mental health was suffering, but were dismissed. Meghan revealed that at one point she contemplated suicide, claims that have reverberated throughout Britain’s media and put the royals under scrutiny.

The only senior royal to face questions on the interview so far has been Prince William, who told a reporter last week that the royals are “very much not a racist family.”

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, made formal complaint to UK broadcaster over Piers Morgan’s comments

ITV announced on Tuesday that Morgan would leave the program he hosted, “Good Morning Britain,” after he cast doubt on whether Meghan had suicidal thoughts, a major revelation from her blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey.

“Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” ITV said on Tuesday. “ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”

CNN understands that Meghan’s complaint to ITV concerned the impact Morgan’s comments could have on others and how it could degrade the seriousness of mental health issues. The complaint did not relate to the personal nature of Morgan’s attacks.

On Monday’s edition of “Good Morning Britain,” Morgan questioned whether the Duchess was being truthful about having suicidal thoughts. His comments sparked a huge controversy in Britain, and he was rebuked by mental health charity Mind.

UK media regulator Ofcom said it had received over 41,000 complaints about Monday’s edition of “Good Morning Britain,” and had launched an investigation under its “harm and offence rules.”

On Wednesday, Morgan said that he “still” does not believe Meghan.

“I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t [believe her],” Morgan tweeted. “If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”

CNN will soon launch Royal News, a weekly newsletter bringing you the inside track on the royal family, what they are up to in public and what’s happening behind palace walls. Sign up here.

— Oliver Darcy contributed to this report

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Meghan Markle, Prince Harry: How much have the royals spent on Duke and Duchess of Sussex?

Being a part of the royal family can incur some hefty costs, as in the case of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Over the course of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage, the royal family, along with British taxpayers, have footed several bills for the couple — who have stepped back as senior members of the royal family and worked to become financially independent.

From the pair’s big wedding to hefty security costs, here’s a look at how much money the royals have potentially spent on Harry, 36, and Markle, 39.

Royal wedding

The royal wedding for Harry and Markle reportedly cost a grand total of $45 million.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY’S PALS THINK PALACE’S BULLYING PROBE IS ‘RETALIATION’ FOR OPRAH SIT-DOWN: REPORT

With an extensive security presence, fine dining and a number of other expenses, Harry and Markle’s wedding was quite the pricey affair.

From snipers, undercover police and military tech, the overwhelming security added up to an estimated total of $42.1 million, per British wedding site Bridebook.

Other key wedding expenses included: Twenty silver-plated trumpets that announced the event for $125,000, a pricey $70,000 lemon elderflower wedding cake from Violet Bakery in East London, an abundance of decorative flowers outside of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor for $150,000, a reported $420,000 to hire the glass marquee for the evening reception at the Frogmore House, $36,000 on sausage rolls and hot tea for all of the 2,640 invited members of the public, and lastly, a reported $440,000 on Meghan’s iconic Givenchy gown.

In an op-ed for the Daily Mail, Norman Baker, a former Liberal Democrat member of Parliament and home office minister in the coalition government, estimates that the royals contributed £2 million (about $2.7 million) while taxpayers funded the other 94% percent of the wedding.

Home renovations

Upon tying the knot, Harry and Markle first resided in Nottingham Cottage, a two-bedroom house on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE RESPONDS TO MEGHAN MARKLE BULLYING ALLEGATIONS REPORT

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Frogmore Cottage renovations reportedly cost $3.2 million. (Getty)

The couple then planned to move into Apartment 1 in Kensington Palace — which is home to more than 20 rooms — to accommodate their growing family.

According to the Sussex’s official website, the renovations of Apartment 1 were “estimated to cost in excess of £4 million [$5.5 million] for mandated renovations including the removal of asbestos,” which was funded by taxpayers through the Sovereign Grant.

The couple, however, opted not to move in due to not being available “to occupy until the fourth quarter of 2020.” Instead, they moved into Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Like Apartment 1, Frogmore Cottage underwent extensive renovations which reportedly cost $3.2 million in taxpayer money, though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex eventually paid the money back, per the New York Times.

Wardrobe

According to a 2018 report, Markle’s ‘working royal wardrobe’ cost an estimated $1 million. (AP, File)

According to a 2018 report, Markle’s wardrobe clocked in at approximately $1 million.

MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY’S OPRAH WINFREY INTERVIEW: EVERYTHING WE KNOW

Bearing the brunt of that figure were Markle’s two wedding looks. The duchess’ Clare Waight Keller-designed Givenchy ceremony gown reportedly ran for $440,000, while her Stella McCartney reception attire cost upwards of $157,000.

“It may be that Meghan contributed certainly some of the costs for either of those wedding dresses, or perhaps both of those wedding dresses, I believe was also picked up by the palace,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told “Entertainment Tonight” at the time.

Meanwhile, other appearances saw Markle rocking a $18,000 Givenchy cape in her first outing with Queen Elizabeth, a $4,000 Caroline Herrera top and skirt for the Trooping the Colour ceremony and a $6,000 printed Oscar de la Renta dress, which she wore to Harry’s cousin’s wedding.

As for who picks up the cost? Nicholl explained that, “It does fall now, that she is married into the royal family, to the Prince of Wales [Charles] … to cover the cost of her working royal wardrobe.”

Security

Amid Harry and Markle’s move to the United States, Prince Charles planned to pay for the majority of their resettlement across the pond.

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Harry and Markle’s security costs run an estimated $5 million. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

In March 2020, a source told the Daily Mail that the Prince of Wales, 72, “agreed to pay a private contribution” to his youngest son, Harry, and his wife, Markle, after the pair up and left Vancouver, Canada, a month earlier.

The insider claimed at the time that while it hadn’t been communicated exactly what Prince Charles’ payment was going to be allocated for, it was “believed” to cover half of Markle and Harry’s security in their move to the United States.

The outlet claimed Markle and Harry’s protection could cost up to 4 million British pounds in total per year, which translates to nearly $5 million.

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Harry and Markle’s marriage has incurred some hefty costs. (Reuters)

Where does the money come from?

It’s been previously reported that Harry’s father, Prince Charles, has received income from the Duchy of Cornwall which he then divides among himself, his wife, his sons and his daughters-in-law to support themselves and their philanthropic work.

According to Shannon Felton Spence, former head of Politics and Communications for the British Consulate-General of Boston, the Sussexes claimed that the Duchy of Cornwall covered 95 percent of their costs, while the remaining came from the Sovereign Grant. In 2019, the Duchy of Cornwall reportedly brought in over 20 million pounds last year.

How much did Harry and Markle’s marriage cost overall?

With the home renovations, extravagant wedding, expensive wardrobe and extensive security along with Harry’s income via the Duchy of Cornwall, the couple’s marriage costs lie somewhere in the millions.

Fox News’ Nate Day contributed to this report.

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Buckingham Palace to probe allegations that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, bullied UK staff

The Times in the UK published an article on Tuesday citing sources who said that the complaint claimed the Duchess drove out two personal assistants from her Kensington Palace household and undermined the confidence of a third staff member. CNN has been unable to corroborate the claims.

The sources also said they approached The Times because they felt the version of the Duchess that had publicly emerged was only partially true and that they were concerned about how matters of bullying had been dealt with. The report said the sources believed the public “should have insight into their side of the story” ahead of the couple’s highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey to air Sunday, their first sit-down appearance since leaving London for North America last year.

Buckingham Palace said it was “very concerned” about the allegations outlined in the report.

“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned,” it said in its statement.

“The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”

Prince Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they were stepping back as working members of the royal family and moved to North America soon afterward. Buckingham Palace confirmed last month that the couple had agreed with Queen Elizabeth II, Harry’s grandmother, that they would not be returning as working royals.

The move sparked talk of a rift between the couple — who are settled in California and expecting their second child — and the British royal family.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes dismissed the Times report as “a calculated smear campaign” ahead of the couple’s interview with Winfrey.

“Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet,” the spokesperson said.

“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma. She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

The spokesperson said the claims made in the Times’ report were “defamatory” and that a legal letter of rebuttal had been sent to the media outlet.

The Times declined to comment when approached by CNN.

Harry touched upon the pressures of royal life during a conversation with fellow Briton James Corden for his “Late Late Show” last month.

“It was a really difficult environment,” the Duke said. “We all know how the British press can be … and it was destroying my mental health. I was like, ‘This is toxic,’ so I did what any husband and any father would do: I need to get my family out of here.”

Harry and Meghan have been mired in a long-running war of words and lawsuits with a large portion of the tabloid media, fighting multiple legal cases against publications and photo agencies that had printed details of their private lives.

Last month, Meghan won a privacy claim against the publishers of the Mail on Sunday after they published a letter she sent her father, and launched a stinging rebuke to “dehumanizing” media organizations after the verdict, saying the “damage they have done and continue to do runs deep.”

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Duchess of Sussex expecting 2nd child, a sibling for Archie

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their second child, their office confirmed Sunday.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, said in a statement: “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.”

In a black-and-white photo of themselves, the couple sat near a tree with Harry’s hand placed under Meghan’s head as she lies on his lap with her hand resting on her bump.

The baby will be eighth in line to the British throne.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and the entire family are delighted and wish them well.”

The duke told chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall in 2019 that he would only have two children for the sake of the planet.

Goodall said: “Not too many,” and Harry replied: “Two, maximum.”

Harry and American actor Meghan Markle married at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son Archie was born a year later.

In early 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They recently bought a house in Santa Barbara, California.

In November, Meghan revealed that she had a miscarriage in July 2020, giving a personal account of the traumatic experience in hope of helping others.

A few days ago, the duchess won a privacy claim against a newspaper over the publication of a personal letter to her estranged father.

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