PRINCE Harry and Meghan's decision to quit royal life sent shockwaves across the globe when they announced the news in 2020.
Aaccording to reports, it would seem the Queen was never expecting them to back down – as the pair gave away one very big clue.
Asked by a visitor if she expected them to resume royal life, the Daily Mail reports the Queen replied: "Of course not. They took the dogs."
Reports even suggested the Royal Family had no notice of the bombshell announcement.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they intended to "step back as senior members of the Royal Family" while "continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen".
Read our Meghan Markle live blog for the latest news and gossip…
- Louis Allwood
Meghan Markle faces being quizzed under oath
MEGHAN Markle faces being quizzed under oath after half-sister Samantha says she'll sue over the Oprah interview.
The duchess could be forced to sit for a legal deposition by lawyers representing her sibling, it's claimed.
Samantha alleges Meghan made defamatory statements in the bombshell chat last March.
And a source close to the case says Meg's 57-year-old sibling intends to "forensically challenge" every detail of the interview, the Mirror reports.
Legal reps for the duchess say the suit is "baseless".
But if Samantha succeeds, it could mean that Meghan could be asked to name the alleged 'royal racist'.
The source told the publication: “Nothing is off-limits if the duchess is deposed."
The lawsuit focuses on claims made during the interview, including details of Meghan's childhood.
- Louis Allwood
Meg & Harry's mansion could be'engulfed' by killer mudslide
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's £11million mansion could be engulfed by a killer mudslide.
A new flood danger map shows The Duke and Duchesses home in Montecito, Santa Barbara is at risk from the kind of storm that left 23 dead and wrecked 130 houses in 2018.
The royal couple bought this home two years after a disaster.
Wildfires have burned through much of the vegetation around the hilly land that protects the village, and so the potential for mudslides keeps rising.
A Storm Impact Consideration Map from Montecito Fire Protection District shows the home next to couple’s seven-acre estate predicted in the mudslide path.
John Frye, of the Santa Barbara Flood Control District, has warned: “It’s not if it happens again – it’s when.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan & Harry 'could not be further away' from 'loyal' royal image
According to a royal author, Meghan and Harry's approach to royal life "could not be further away" than one of Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex's.
According to Pauline Maclaran, co-author of who wrote Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture, she claims the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a direct contrast with the likes of Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne.
Maclaren told Express.co.uk: “Both Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne have been steadfastly loyal in their service to the queen and both maintain a dignified position in the public eye.
“They have both had reputational hiccups in the past. Sophie had the “fake sheikh” scandal to deal with and Princess Anne had her divorce from Mark Phillips.
“However, now they have both carved images as traditional royal women who are conscientious in their duties and careful not to embarrass the monarchy.
“Their brand images could not be further away from the break-away Sussex brand aimed at Generation Z.
“Princess Anne and Sophie Wessex manage to steer clear of controversy because they understand better the requirements of the job and are more willing to sacrifice their own personalities in service to the Queen.
“Meghan and Harry have been much keener to ensure they put across their own identities even when it may have been judged inappropriate (the Oprah interview etc.) and they are very clearly trying to build their own brand, which Princess Anne and Sophie are not.”
- Louis Allwood
Thanks for reading
Louis Allwood here, signing off for the evening.
Thanks for following our live coverage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
- Louis Allwood
Harry ‘can’t face the family’
Prince Harry ‘to miss’ Queen’s Jubilee as he ‘can’t face the family’, claims a royal expert.
According to royal biographer, Tom Bower, he says Prince Harry ‘set to miss’ Queen’s Platinum Jubilee because he ‘can’t face’ Royal Family.
Writing for Closer magazine, Mr Bower said: “I think Harry won’t come back because he knows he cannot face his family, and be pleasant with them, knowing what he’s written about them in that book.
“That book will have a lot of casualties and cause a lot of hurt. It will really deliver, as Harry knows it has to, to justify the money he’s been paid to do it.
“How can Harry come back and pretend it’s all fine? The worst of what he will say is yet to come.”
- Louis Allwood
'Meghan's ultimate destination is unclear'
Tom Bower, who is currently writing a biography of Meghan Markle, told the sun that Duchess has no intention to coming back to the UK and "simply doesn't care" what Brits think.
"Meghan's ultimate destination is unclear, but she certainly has the backing to make a bid to star as an American politician," he said.
"In parallel, Britain is a lost cause for the Sussexes.
"In truth, I suspect Meghan no longer cares whether she is welcome in London. She has no intention of returning."
- Louis Allwood
The Queen would 'desperately like to see' Lilibet
Royal author Brian Hoey, who has written extensively about the royal family, told The Express that the Queen is very keen to meet Lilibet in the flesh.
Mr Hoey said: 'I have heard from people I know within the Royal Household, she really would desperately like to see the baby in this way.
'I think she would love to, I wonder whether it is going to happen, I would love to think it could,' he added.
- Louis Allwood
Bizarre wedding demand
MEGHAN Markle asked Prince Charles if she could meet him “halfway” when he offered to walk her down the aisle, an expert has claimed.
The Prince of Wales is said to have stepped in after it was confirmed Meghan’s dad, Thomas Markle, was unable to make her and Harry’s wedding.
The big day took place in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in 2018, with just Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland in attendance from the bride’s family.
But Charles is said to have felt for his daughter-in-law and said he would be honoured to escort her to the altar.
Writing in the Daily Mail, royal biographer Robert Hardman said: “The reply, according to one friend, was not quite what he was expecting: ‘Can we meet halfway?’
“Here was an indicator that this was no blushing bride, but a confident, independent woman determined to make a grand entrance on her own.”
- Louis Allwood
Ongoing legal battle
Harry admitted in his chat with Oprah it was when he was told his security would be taken away that he realised he needed to quickly find a source of income for his family.
The duke was stripped of his police protection after quitting life as a senior royal.
Harry said he had been shocked by the decision to remove funding for his security, saying he had "inherited" the risk after being born into the Royal Family.
And Meghan said she wrote to the Firm begging them to continue funding it after seeing death threats.
One year on, Harry continues to fund his own private protection, and he recently launched a legal battle against the Government over the decision to take away his police bodyguards – claiming it is unsafe for his family to return to the UK without them.
The legal battle is ongoing.
- Louis Allwood
Questions that are still unanswered
We still don't know which member of the Royal Family apparently made the comments about Archie's race.
Meghan said: "In those months when I was pregnant, all around the same time: we have in tandem he won’t be given security, a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born."
Oprah was left stunned and replied: "What? There is a conversation…hold on. Hold up. Hold up. Stop right now."
She went on: "About how dark your baby is going to be?"
Meghan replied: "Potentially, and what that would mean or look like."
Oprah later confirmed the person who made the comment was not the Queen or Prince Philip.
But Meghan said it would be "too damaging" to reveal the culprit, meaning it's unlikely we will ever find out the answer.
- Louis Allwood
Why is the Sussexes mansion at risk of killer MUDSLIDE?
The potential for mudslides in the area continues to rise after wildfires incinerated much of the vegetation that protects the hilly land around the village.
Wildfires devastated Santa Barbara County in late 2017, destroying 1,063 structures and causing $2.2billion of damage.
Terry Cunningham, 62, who used to own the Sussexes’ home, said: “Their place wasn’t touched during the mudslides but it’s near enough to the creek that you’d pay attention if it happened again.”
And Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor warned: “We are still at risk for debris flow and will be for a couple of years.”
- Louis Allwood
Harry ‘can’t face the family’
Prince Harry ‘to miss’ Queen’s Jubilee as he ‘can’t face the family’, claims a royal expert.
According to royal biographer, Tom Bower, he says Prince Harry ‘set to miss’ Queen’s Platinum Jubilee because he ‘can’t face’ Royal Family.
Writing for Closer magazine, Mr Bower said: “I think Harry won’t come back because he knows he cannot face his family, and be pleasant with them, knowing what he’s written about them in that book.
“That book will have a lot of casualties and cause a lot of hurt. It will really deliver, as Harry knows it has to, to justify the money he’s been paid to do it.
“How can Harry come back and pretend it’s all fine? The worst of what he will say is yet to come.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s £11m LA mansion at risk of killer MUDSLIDE
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's £11million LA mansion could be at risk of a killer mudslide, a new flood map has revealed.
A Storm Impact Consideration Map from the Montecito Fire Protection District shows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's home in the centre of a predicted mudslide path.
The couple bought their nine-bed mansion in Montecito, Santa Barbara, in 2020 – two years after torrential rain caused devastation in the area.
The storm wrecked 130 homes and killed 23 people in the millionaire's village.
But the Mirror reports the threat still remains today – with Meghan and Harry's home believed to be in the firing line of any further destruction.
Montecito's danger map shows the couple's seven-acre estate – which lies between two creeks – in a predicted mudslide path.
- Louis Allwood
With you until 10pm is Louis Allwood, bringing you all the latest news and updates on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
- Milica Cosic
George Clooney warns 'history repeating itself' with Meghan
Despite George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney being friends with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Hollywood once opened up on Meghan’s treatment – with a warning that “history was repeating”.
Mr Clooney compared Meghan's treatment of being photographed similar to that of Princess Diana.
Back in February 2019, he opened up about this to an Australian Magazine. Mr Clooney told Who magazine: “I do want to say, they’re just chasing Meghan Markle everywhere.
“She’s a woman who is seven months pregnant and she has been pursued and vilified and chased in the same way that Diana was.
“And it’s history repeating itself. We’ve seen how that ends.”
- Milica Cosic
Prince Harry tipped to attend Charles' coronation
A royal author has claimed that Prince Harry will "certainly" be a part of his father Prince Charles' coronation.
Apparently, Harry will attend alongside his wife Meghan to "re-invigorate" the "royal aspect" of the Sussexes' brand.
Pauline Maclaren, co-author of who wrote Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture claims the attendance will help strenghten the Sussex brand’s royal link, something which she says has become “rather jaded currently”.
- Milica Cosic
Harry & Meghan advised to ditch attention-seeking stunts
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to only return to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee if they can "keep it quiet", a royal expert has said.
Royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti claimed it would "probably be better" if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not return, saying that it would "steal" attention from her.
Speaking to Us Weekly's Royally Us, Mr Sacerdoti said: "I don't personally imagine Meghan coming to the UK very easily.
"She may prove me wrong but people here have such a low opinion of her if not of both of them these days that I think she would be very brave to come back to the UK.
"But I do still say that if they could come back and if they could not be front and centre, keep it quiet but just come back to help celebrate not just for the Queen but for the whole country then that will probably be very nice and it might rehabilitate them somewhat towards the British people.
"I don't really think that's their style anymore.
"They don't like to do things quietly, they don't like someone else to be the centre of attention when they're around and I think that where Harry and Meghan go, it's the Harry and Meghan show."
- Milica Cosic
Prince's Harry and Meghan anguish exposed
According to a royal expert, Prince William was left at his "lowest point" following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from the Firm.
Royal author Robert Hardman, said that the Oprah interview in particular impacted Harry’s older brother, William.
In an extract of his new book, 'Queen Of Our Times: The Life Of Elizabeth II' published by Macmillan on March 17, Mr Hardman wrote: “For Prince William, there was the added anguish of seeing the younger brother whom he had protected (and who had idolised him) now throwing incendiary and, in some cases, unanswerable charges into the public domain, fully aware of their likely impact.
“Since the Oprah interview, the brothers have only met twice — at Prince Philip’s funeral and at the unveiling of the statue of their mother at Kensington Palace.”
- Milica Cosic
Meghan Markle faces being quizzed under oath
MEGHAN Markle faces being quizzed under oath after half-sister Samantha says she'll sue over the Oprah interview.
The duchess could be forced to sit for a legal deposition by lawyers representing her sibling, it's claimed.
Samantha alleges Meghan made defamatory statements in the bombshell chat last March.
And a source close to the case says Meg's 57-year-old sibling intends to "forensically challenge" every detail of the interview, the Mirror reports.
Legal reps for the duchess say the suit is "baseless".
But if Samantha succeeds, it could mean that Meghan could be asked to name the alleged 'royal racist'.
The source told the publication: “Nothing is off-limits if the duchess is deposed."
The lawsuit focuses on claims made during the interview, including details of Meghan's childhood.
- Milica Cosic
Meg & Harry's mansion could be'engulfed' by killer mudslide
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's £11million mansion could be engulfed by a killer mudslide.
A new flood danger map shows The Duke and Duchesses home in Montecito, Santa Barbara is at risk from the kind of storm that left 23 dead and wrecked 130 houses in 2018.
The royal couple bought this home two years after a disaster.
Wildfires have burned through much of the vegetation around the hilly land that protects the village, and so the potential for mudslides keeps rising.
A Storm Impact Consideration Map from Montecito Fire Protection District shows the home next to couple’s seven-acre estate predicted in the mudslide path.
John Frye, of the Santa Barbara Flood Control District, has warned: “It’s not if it happens again – it’s when.”
- Milica Cosic
Meghan & Harry 'could not be further away' from 'loyal' royal image
According to a royal author, Meghan and Harry's approach to royal life "could not be further away" than one of Princess Anne and Sophie, Countess of Wessex's.
According to Pauline Maclaran, co-author of who wrote Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture, she claims the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a direct contrast with the likes of Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne.
Maclaren told Express.co.uk: “Both Sophie Wessex and Princess Anne have been steadfastly loyal in their service to the queen and both maintain a dignified position in the public eye.
“They have both had reputational hiccups in the past. Sophie had the “fake sheikh” scandal to deal with and Princess Anne had her divorce from Mark Phillips.
“However, now they have both carved images as traditional royal women who are conscientious in their duties and careful not to embarrass the monarchy.
“Their brand images could not be further away from the break-away Sussex brand aimed at Generation Z.
“Princess Anne and Sophie Wessex manage to steer clear of controversy because they understand better the requirements of the job and are more willing to sacrifice their own personalities in service to the Queen.
“Meghan and Harry have been much keener to ensure they put across their own identities even when it may have been judged inappropriate (the Oprah interview etc.) and they are very clearly trying to build their own brand, which Princess Anne and Sophie are not.”
- Milica Cosic
Queen 'desperate to see' Lilibet in person
A royal author has claimed that The Queen "would desperately like to see" Lilibet 'Lili' Diana in person.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born in June last year at a Santa Barbara hospital, but has not yet travelled to the UK to meet the Queen.
Royal author Brian Hoey has said the monarch is reportedly very eager to meet her11th great-grandchild.
Hoey told Express.co.uk: "I have heard from people I know within the Royal Household she really would desperately like to see the baby in this way."
- Milica Cosic
With you today is Milica Cosic, bringing you all the latest news and updates on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
- Louis Allwood
Harry ‘can’t face the family’
Prince Harry ‘to miss’ Queen’s Jubilee as he ‘can’t face the family’, claims a royal expert.
According to royal biographer, Tom Bower, he says Prince Harry ‘set to miss’ Queen’s Platinum Jubilee because he ‘can’t face’ Royal Family.
Writing for Closer magazine, Mr Bower said: “I think Harry won’t come back because he knows he cannot face his family, and be pleasant with them, knowing what he’s written about them in that book.
“That book will have a lot of casualties and cause a lot of hurt. It will really deliver, as Harry knows it has to, to justify the money he’s been paid to do it.
“How can Harry come back and pretend it’s all fine? The worst of what he will say is yet to come.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan & Harry not ‘done enough’ to deserve latest award
According to a royal expert, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “haven’t done enough” to earn their latest award.
Last weekend, the royal couple won the NAACP President’s Award. However, royal expert, Robert Jobson said the couple were not in the same league as past recipients of the award, which include Muhammad Ali and LeBron James.
Speaking to True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, Jobson said: “They have raised the debate, because of who they are, and I think that’s what they are getting the award for.”
“But I think it’s a bit early.
“If you think that people like Jesse Jackson had a lifetime of work before he won it.
“Or Colin Powell’s status he reached in the military and politically, becoming the Secretary of State.
“These guys were role models, great eloquent speakers on the subject of race.
“I just don’t think they have done enough to warrant it yet.”
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