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Winning smiles
Meghan and Kate finally launched a fightback after months of damaging feud stories at Wimbledon yesterday by attending the women’s singles final together, along with Kate’s sister Pippa.
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Meghan sat in the middle of the group of three, a position that emphasized a sense of inclusion, and no-one needed Fleet Street’s ever-willing army of ‘body language experts’ to relay a simple truth; the three women clearly had a fabulous and entertaining day in each other’s company.
Winner Simona Halep was asked on-court by an interviewer directly after the match how she would like to meet Meghan and Kate, to which she replied that it would be “amazing.” A smiling Meghan turned to Kate and said, “Ah that’s so nice,” and they both laughed and smiled together in a self-deprecating, non-feudy fashion. Now, we just need their husbands to renew the bonds of brotherly love and we can declare the beef dead and buried.
Poker face
There was inevitably a tinge of sadness for Meghan as her old pal Serena Williams was demolished in two quick sets yesterday, leading some to suggest her best playing days are now behind her. Meghan, however, did absolutely the right thing, not once betraying whose side she was on.
Serena: My friend Meghan
After the match, Williams was asked about her relationship with Meghan Markle, who she has been friends with since 2010 when they met at a Super Bowl party.
In the press room interview, Serena said of Meghan: “Having her in general as a friend is great. She’s such a great friend and a great person as well. Always positive no matter what. It’s so good to have people like that just to know. She’s such a fan of the sport and she too is happy for Simona. She saw that she played unbelievable and that’s the kind of person she is.”
Royal power
Following the resignation of Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., the hot tip now is that the role could be taken on by Sir Christopher Geidt, who spent ten years as the Queen’s private secretary, before being ousted in a mini-coup led by Prince Charles.
Having disappeared off the Scottish Highlands to lick his wounds, The Daily Mail reports that Lord Geidt is now being tipped as a potential replacement for Sir Kim. If the royal visit showed anything, it is that Trump respects the British monarchy, and perhaps he would deal with a close confidant of Her Majesty with respect.
Hot sale
A Virgin Atlantic sweater repeatedly worn by Princess Diana in a (largely unsuccessful) attempt to stop photographers bothering to take pictures of her was sold this week at auction for $53,500, almost ten times its pre-sale estimated price.
The Times reports that Diana always wore the sweater, given to her by Sir Richard Branson, when she went to the gym in the hope that the paparazzi would stop taking pictures of her every day because all the pictures would look the same.
The jumper was sold by Jenni Rivett, Diana’s personal trainer for more than seven years, who was given it in 1997.
In a post on her Facebook page, she wrote: “It deserved a better home as it was gathering dust in my wardrobe. I’m donating the proceeds to a family in Malawi. Nothing more, nothing less. I know Princess Diana would support my decision.”
The sweater was sold by RR Auction in Boston with a note from Diana that says: “Dearest Jenni, Lots of love from Diana. X”
Royal fashion watch
Obviously, all eyes were on Centre Court on Saturday for the women's singles final between Serena Williams and Simona Halep, which Halep commandingly won.
Even more eyes were on the Middleton sisters and Meghan Markle, playing super friendly tennis buddies on the big day. Kate wore green Dolce and Gabbana. Meghan wore a white blouse and pleated skirt by Hugo Boss with navy detailing on the skirt that looked like an ever-so-elegant paint splosh. Pippa wore a blue floral dress by Anna Mason London.
And everyone got along beautifully.
This week in royal history
Camilla Parker Bowles was born on July 17, 1947 at King’s College Hospital, London, christened as Camilla Rosemary Shand.
For years, she was the ‘third person,’ as Princess Diana once memorably put it, in Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles. After Diana’s death she became particularly reviled. Now, if not hugely loved, Camilla has been accepted as Charles’ wife—which is just as well as she will, when he becomes king, become the queen, if not in name (and Charles may eventually find a way to finagle that too).
Unanswered questions
Is the feud really over between the young royals? Only time will tell if yesterday’s Wimbledon photo-op is a true emblem of friendly relations.
What other methods has Prince Andrew used to seduce women? This week a source told The Daily Beast he led them hand in hand on a nocturnal tour of Buckingham Palace, and rumor has it, potential girlfriends were sometimes taken into the throne room by Andy and allowed to try out the hot seat.
