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Charles and Harry’s relationship remains “rock-solid”
Prince Charles has been “keeping in regular contact” with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as the fallout has continued from the book Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Family, according to The Sun.
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Charles, “while deeply hurt at some of the book’s revelations, is nevertheless still keeping the door open for a dramatic return for the Sussexes,” according to the paper. The heir to the throne revealed in June he had been “terribly sad” about not being able to see his family during the pandemic, having survived COVID-19 himself.
Charles’ olive branch is in contrast to his most memorable cameo in Finding Freedom, which conveyed his “disappointment” in November 2016 when Harry detonated his dad’s big PR moment with one of his own.
That day, Harry felt moved to issue an unprecedented statement in which he confirmed his and Meghan’s relationship, while condemning “the racial undertones of comment pieces… and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.” Harry also revealed that he was worried about Meghan’s safety and “deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.”
The timing of Harry’s bombshell statement left Charles “disappointed” and aides at Clarence House “crushed,” according to the book. Charles and Camilla had just arrived in Bahrain to meet the country’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. Any publicity for that trip was vaporized, as Harry’s statement dominated the news cycle.
Right now, the Sun reports, Charles “has been a calm voice of reassurance to his son and daughter-in-law.”
He has also been providing emotional and financial support, with phone and video calls from Castle of Mey—the Queen Mother’s former Scottish holiday home.
A royal insider told the Sun: “They have a very strong and close father-and-son relationship. Many people have speculated that the book was the end for Harry and Meghan in Britain. Too many people were criticized and too many people attacked, including William and Kate. But the Prince of Wales has made it clear the door is always open. Since his move to Los Angeles they have been in regular contact. Charles is not an avid user of texts but there are video and phone calls.
“The book has never been a massive talking point between them and Charles is determined that it is not an obstacle. He has provided financial support, as any father would do when their son moves with a young family to the other side of the world. Their relationship is rock-solid and they remain close. They speak at least once a week and Charles is still a massive driving force in Harry’s life.”
The Sun said that much of Charles’ funding is going towards Harry and Meghan’s security.
Another royal source told the paper: “When Harry was making the decision to step away from royal duties it was something he confided in his father about because he respects his opinion more than anyone else. Charles knows what it is like to be conflicted within the royal household. Harry has always been his own man and will do what he thinks is right.
“Since moving to LA, Charles has been there for Harry. They regularly discuss how he is doing and the work he is looking to embark on. The Prince of Wales is a great sounding board for Harry.”
David Foster is Harry’s new “father figure”
Ironically, the Sun’s Charles/Harry closeness story came out as the Mirror reported that Harry’s 36th birthday party next month will be hosted by music producer David Foster, who is said to have become a “father figure” to Harry since he arrived in Los Angeles.
Charles, William, and the rest of the royals are “unlikely” to be at the Sept. 15 party, a source told the paper. The party will be held at Foster’s home—his wife Katharine McPhee went to Meghan’s school.
Foster will also be familiar to Bravo fans as ex-husband of Yolanda Hadid, onetime cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. They married in 2011, split in 2015, and finally divorced in 2017.
“David wants to make it special for Harry but also keep it casual and low-key with some fine wine, great food and intimate company,” a source told the Mirror of his Harry party plans. “He is setting aside the fire pit at his home plus the whole outdoor area, which security will cordon off. The small gathering will also include his daughters Erin and Sara and their husbands. They are around the same age as Harry and Meghan.
“David has been helping to connect the Sussexes so they can create a group of close friends and feel more comfortable in LA.”
McPhee, the Mirror reported, has previously said, “David has got a really beautiful relationship with Harry. They’re so cute, like father and son.”
Meghan, Harry, and Adele become pilates buddies
How is it being famous and living next door to one another in Beverly Hills? Harry, Meghan and singer Adele are—according to the Mirror—having pilates lessons together.
A source said: “Meghan and Adele have been having Pilates lessons. They are loving it. The instructor has also been giving lessons to Harry. It’s a great stress-buster.”
Adele lives a few minutes away from the couple’s new home “and often stops by to say Hello,” the Mirror said. She reportedly became close to the couple after their move to Los Angeles earlier this year.
William and Kate share rare PDA in amusement arcade
Kate Middleton and Prince William shared a rare public display of affection this week on a visit to an amusement arcade in Barry Island, Wales. Kate placed her hand on the small of her husband’s back, and Kensington Palace shared the image later via Instagram.
It’s not exactly 9½ Weeks, but it absolutely passes the “awww” test.
Kate and William were visiting the arcade as part of a visit intended to show businesses opening up again post-pandemic. Kate gently touched her husband as he played a claw machine game.
“Thank you Wales for the lovely reception yesterday. It was great to see communities and businesses starting to get back up and running, following a difficult few months for the tourism industry and the wider economy,” an accompanying caption read.
Meghan hit “brick wall” of royal family
In a documentary which aired on Channel 5 last night in the U.K., Andrew Morton, confidante of Princess Diana and famously the author of landmark tell-all Diana: Her True Story, said that Meghan had been frustrated and stifled within the royal family—with her zest and progressive politics in immediate conflict with creaky palace mores.
“I feel for this poor girl, I mean, she came into this country, parachuted in. She’s marrying into a very difficult family, that everybody finds difficult to come into,” Morton told Harry and Meghan & Harry: The New Revelations, according to the Daily Mail. “And she’s someone who didn't know an awful lot about British history, British culture and as she said herself, ‘She’s gonna hit the ground running.’ And she hit the ground running, but she found she came up against a brick wall.”
Meanwhile, friends say Prince Harry is happy the Invictus Games for service veterans will be able to go ahead next year, according to the Sun.
An insider told the paper: “Invictus is such a massive part of Harry’s life and this year was massive because it was the first time he was organizing the event, having stepped back from royal duties. He knew the spotlight would be on him and was looking forward to rising to that challenge. He was fully focused on it.
“While in lockdown Meghan and Harry have spent many weeks involved in a series of meetings with those running their new charity foundation, Archewell. They are busy plotting their vision for the organization and finalizing the key partners they want to work with.”
Harry’s “be cautious” friend revealed
What there is left to know of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after what seems like a zillion dishy extracts from Finding Freedom will be revealed when the book is finally officially published on Tuesday.
One of the last pre-game revelations is more a confirmation of a story first floated by Tatler last year—InTouch reveals it was Harry’s childhood friend, Tom “Skippy” Inskip, who had expressed reservations about Meghan prior to Harry proposing to her.
Finding Freedom reveals that Harry cut off friends who had objected to Meghan, suspecting their objections were rooted in snobbery. His and brother Prince William’s relationship was damaged by William advising his brother to be cautious.
Inskip advised the couple to live together before “doing anything more serious,” a source told Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. Though his words “came from a good place,” Harry “didn’t totally see it that way.” The source added, “It really hurt him that someone he was so close to would not trust his judgment.”
As the Sun reported, the subsequent estrangement didn’t last. Harry and Inskip made up after the death of Inskip’s mother-in-law last summer.
Queen will skip church because of COVID
The Queen will not attend church at Crathie Kirk today—as she always does when vacationing at Balmoral—because of coronavirus concerns, reports the Sun.
The Very Rev Susan Brown, honorary chaplain to the Queen in Scotland, has been holding weekly online services from Dornoch Cathedral, at times with more than 700 views, according to the paper. Dr. Brown told the paper: “Sunday service is very important to Her Majesty, but her faith is a daily thing. At the moment all people attending church must wear a mask and that seems to include the minister. How can they preach in a mask? I think the Queen will probably have to view a streamed service somewhere. It would be wonderful if it was one from here.”
Happy birthday, Beatrice!
A month of happy celebrations continued for Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s recently married daughter, on Saturday as she celebrated her 32nd birthday.
Her mother posted on Instagram (the picture was of a young Beatrice picking flowers): “Happy Happy Birthday My Dearest Beatrice. 8.8.88 at 8.18pm was one of the greatest and most proud moments of my life. You are unique and simply one of the most special people on this planet. Your ever loving and devoted Mum.”
Beatrice’s sister Eugenie posted: “Happy happy Birthday dear Beabea. Here we are on the eve of your wedding. Still rocking a scrunchie or hair accessory (since the 90s) and huge smiles on our faces.” The picture was of the sisters, a joint selfie taken on the eve of Beatrice’s wedding last month.
The Queen also sent birthday wishes, via the royal family’s Instagram account, including a lovely picture of Beatrice with the Queen at a function in 2012. “Wishing Princess Beatrice a very Happy Birthday! Her Royal Highness is The Queen's 5th grandchild,” the message read.
This week in royal history
The time is finally here, after weeks of lead-up. Happy birthday to The Daily Beast’s breakout royal icon, Princess Anne, who turns 70 on Saturday. She was born on Aug. 15, 1950, at Clarence House. The Queen’s only daughter, Anne—at least publicly—has no time for flashbulbs and the glamorous fripperies of royalty.
Brisk, brusque, and averse to publicity and grandstanding, Anne also has a twinkle of mischief about her—as The Crown recently demonstrated. She even (unintentionally, it was reported, but still) dissed Donald Trump on his trip to Britain. She also told a would-be kidnapper to get lost. No wonder her most famous catchphrase remains “Naff off.” Cheers!
Unanswered questions
Finding Freedom is finally published, after weeks of extracts and leaks, on Tuesday. What is there left to dish about Harry and Meghan? How are Harry and Meghan defining the “hate” they say is being promulgated by unnamed online platforms—and which are the platforms they are lobbying business leaders to cease funding? And which leaders have they been talking to?
