Meghan Markle latest news – Prince Harry WARNED he’ll ‘run out of allies’ if he keeps ‘hurting Royal Family’ in public

ITV take on royal concert

Kate’s Royal Christmas carol service has been developed and delivered in partnership with the Abbey and BBC Studios Events Productions.

But it will be broadcast on ITV after a controversial documentary about Harry and William was aired.

BBC Two’s The Princes And The Press, which was presented by Amol Rajan, was criticised by the royal households for giving credibility to “overblown and unfounded claims”, and prompted the broadcast of the service to be moved from the BBC to ITV.

The two-part documentary included suggestions that negative stories about Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were leaked by courtiers and there was a competitiveness between households.

Prince William ‘blown away’ by youth-led charity visit

The Duke of Cambridge showcased his table tennis skills and fed goats on a charity visit which left him “blown away”.

William was visiting CATCH, a youth-led charity based in the Harehills area of Leeds, which helps young people in communities with high levels of antisocial behaviour.

He said: “”I have been blown away by the visit. It is an amazing achievement what you have all done here.

“You guys, the young people, built this together. I am blown away and quite emotional about it.

“You have worked together, don’t know each other, don’t speak English and have come together – you can’t not be proud.”

He presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the organisation, and said: “You should be proud of yourselves.”

When did the first Christmas speech air?

The BBC first aired the Christmas speech in 1932 when King George V addressed the nation via radio from Sandringham, Norfolk.

The speech was televised for the first time when it was given by the Queen in 1957.

Queen’s Christmas speech

It will be her first since the death of her beloved Prince Philip – who died in April at the age of 99.

The speech is likely to reflect on her dear late husband, as well as the ongoing strength of the nation during the pandemic.

She’ll be surrounded by her closest family in time for Christmas Eve, according to reports.

Palace aides are also exploring options for the monarch to appear in public over the next two weeks to wish the country a happy Christmas, reports the Mail.

Queen back to work

Her Majesty, 95, made her public first appearance in two weeks to hand Thomas Trotter, 64, the annual Queen’s Medal for Music at Windsor Castle.

The Queen, who had a chair closeby, last received Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey on November 24.

In October, she spent a night in hospital for tests and then resumed only light duties.

She resumed “light duties” shortly after.

Prince Charles stood in for her at the COP conference in Glasgow and she missed Remembrance Sunday due to a sprained back.

Royal Family news you may have missed

Homemade chutney for the Queen

For her first Christmas at Sandringham in 2011, Kate Middleton reportedly gave The Queen a jar of homemade chutney.

Expert Duncan Larcombe told the publication: “A homemade chutney gift was absolutely spot on – down to earth, practical and frugal – everything Her Majesty loves.

“It also showed that Kate could relate to the Queen as a normal grandmother and not just the head of state. And it helped forge a bond built on mutual respect and admiration.”

Charles’ pal has his say

Charles’ pal said Harry’s reference to the Mahfouz payments was “more damaging than the swipe at Charles’s parenting skills”.

“This was a challenge to the way he conducts his business which is far more damaging to the future King,” they said.

The friend added Charles and Harry have “barely spoken since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral” eight months ago.

And they said: “These constant barbs about his father from America could be very damaging to his reign.

“Attempts have been made to clear the air but they have barely spoken since the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.”

Mindset of not being spoilt

The mindset of not being spoilt was passed on to Prince William from Diana, as he is careful to make sure his own children are the same.

Royal expert and author Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror: “I think we’re looking at three Christmases rolled into one for William and Kate and their children.

“There will be Christmas on their own with their kids, the more formal celebrations at Sandringham with William’s family and then time with Kate’s family, the Middletons.

“But something we know for sure about William and Kate is that they want their children to feel normal and so they certainly won’t be lavishing them with expensive gifts, that’s for certain. They won’t let them be spoiled.”

‘Burden of duty’

Prince Charles will “follow the tradition of the monarchy” in order to spare William the “burden of duty” for as long as possible, claims a former royal butler.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold told GB news: “I have been asked this question many times by many friends, do I think it’s possible that Prince Charles decides to not take on the position of King and step aside to pass on Prince William.

“I actually believe we would not see that happen because Prince Charles is very traditional.”

Prince Charles’ favourite actor loses battle with cancer

Prince Charles’ favourite actor Antony Sher has died at the age of 72.

The legendary stage actor, best known for his work performing Shakespeare, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in September.

The Royal Shakespeare Company announced the double Olivier Award-winning actor’s death in a statement on Friday.

Where to get the new commemorative 50p coin?

The new design will join a collection of commemorative crown pieces from the Royal Mint over the years, which have celebrated the Queen’s Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilees.

Included in one of the largest collections made by the Royal Mint, the coin will be unveiled next year alongside a commemorative £5 crown.

Collectors of coins can register their interest to the Royal Mint to claim the commemorative 50p piece.

Kate’s Christmas message

Kate Middleton also wrote: “Christmas is a time when we can reflect on the past, listen to one another, focus on the relationships that nurture us and build our resilience, so we can look forward to a brighter shared future.”

The duchess – who was joined by William at the event – wore a festive Catherine Walker coat with large bow detail, and the Queen Mother’s sapphire fringe earrings loaned to her by the Queen.

Kate said she and William were fortunate to meet and spend time with “phenomenal people” across the country who support individuals and families.

Meghan pictured posing with sweet note made for her by co-star’s daughter

AN ADORABLE unearthed photo shows Meghan Markle in her acting days posing with a sweet note made for her by a co-star’s daughter.

The message lists all of Meghan’s good qualities using each letter of her name.

Meghan, who was starring in hit legal drama Suits at the time, was given the heartwarming note by Oona, the daughter of co-star Sarah Rafferty, who plays Donna.

Little Oona listed Meghan as being “marvellous”, “exciting”, “great”, “happy”, “amazing”, and “nice.”

Sarah and Meghan become close friends after meeting on the set of Suits.

Meghan famously called her her “Suits sister wife” and used to post about her on social media before she deactivated her account.

‘Closest friend in the world’

THE Queen is in mourning after one of her closest confidantes and friends died on Friday – mere months following Prince Philip’s death.

Ann Fortune FitzRoy, the Duchess of Grafton, passed away aged 101.

Her death is another blow for the Queen and comes less than a year since Her Majesty’s husband Prince Philip, who she called her “strength and guide” died aged 99 in April and her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left for the US.

Fortune served the Royal Household for the monarch’s entire 69-year reign and made her Majesty the godmother to her second daughter, Lady Virginia FitzRoy, in 1954.

The Duchess was appointed the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1980 – an award made personally by the Queen for services to the sovereign.

“It would be a gross understatement to say people are angry”

Heartbreaking pictures from the late Duke’s funeral in April show the Queen adhering to social distancing measures as she paid a final farewell to her husband.

“It would be a gross understatement to say people are angry,” one servant told The Mirror.

“Many missed Christmas, birthdays, other special occasions and weeks on end away from their families.

“But it was all in the spirit it was for the greater good and we were doing our bit.

“It’s a slap in the face for anyone frankly.”

Queen’s staff ‘angry’ over Downing Street

Queen’s staff are reportedly angry over revelations of a Christmas party at No.10 after the monarch was forced to sit alone during Prince Philip’s funeral.

Palace servants are said to have reacted with “utter dismay” at Downing Street’s Christmas party scandal which came to light last week.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Her Majesty left Buckingham Palace formed a support bubble with her late husband Philip at Windsor Castle.

There, dedicated staff were forced to spend months away from their families in order to protect the 95-year-old Queen.

Royal staff told The Mirror that during the pandemic, “sacrifices were made from the very top all the way down” but have now been left “worthless” due to Downing Street’s alleged illegal parties.

One staff member, who has more than ten years of service working for the Queen, said some colleagues became “visibly upset” when discussing how the monarch was forced to sit alone at Prince Philip’s funeral.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein pictured lounging in Queen’s log cabin

It is unclear when the photograph was taken but previously been reported they were invited there Prince Andrew in 1999.

The pair are seen lounging on the porch of the Queen’s log cabin in Glen Beg, with Maxwell leaning against Epstein.