Princess Charlotte

Prince William reveals the ‘strict’ phone rule he has set for his royal kids

Prince William has revealed his strict parenting rules when it comes to his kids – Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte – and mobile phones

Prince William has revealed his stern parenting when it comes to his kids and mobile phones. The future King revealed Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte are banned from owning a device by himself and his wife, Princess Kate.

He made the revelation while speaking with Eugene Levy, shortly after Kate had confirmed the pair try to limit their children’s screen time. And he also admitted they regularly sit down for dinner together no matter how busy his schedule gets, labelling their chats “really important’.

“None of our children have phones, which we’re very strict about,” he confessed before revealing the kids’ other obsessions. “Louis loves the trampoline,” he admitted. “He’s obsessed. And Charlotte loves it too.

READ MORE: Prince William reveals how he and Kate told their children about her cancer battleREAD MORE: Prince William – ‘I’m going to change the monarchy for the better to make my children proud’

“As far as I can tell they just end up jumping up and down, beating each other up, most of the time. Apparently, there is an art to it.”

As well as enjoying the trampoline, William, 43, says daughter Charlotte, 10, takes part in netball and ballet. William claimed both he and Kate think it’s really important to ensure their kids are involved in sports and outdoor activities.

As for 12-year-old George, William says his eldest is a staunch football fan, like himself. He said he is also keen on hockey.

William also opened up on the pain he felt as he watched both his father, King Charles III, and his wife be diagnosed with cancer. The Royal Family were left devastated by the double cancer diagnosis last year. They came just months apart.

Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer following a prostate exam. Then in March, the Princess of Wales confirmed she too had been diagnosed with cancer following tests that were conducted after major abdominal surgery in January.

Speaking to Eugene for his The Reluctant Traveler series, William described having his father and wife sick at the same time was like “having the rug pulled from underneath you”.

He candidly admitted: “We’ve been very lucky, we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. My grandparents lived until they were in the high 90s.

“So, they were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family.” He then went on to reference his father King Charles ‘ cancer diagnosis and his wife Kate’s diagnosis.

“But I think, when you suddenly realise that the rug if you were, the metaphorical rug can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point. You maybe think to yourself ‘It won’t happen to us, we’ll be okay.’

“Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive. But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”

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Harry and Meghan dog toy lookalikes fly off shelves as parody chew toys delight pups and royal fans

DOG chew toys of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are flying off shop shelves.

The plush likenesses of the Sussexes, being sold near Windsor Castle, promise “hours of fun for you and your pooch”.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

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Dog chew toys of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are flying off shop shelvesCredit: Splash
Dog toys shaped like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

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The plush likenesses of the Sussexes are being sold near Windsor CastleCredit: w8media

One customer said: “Apparently the Harry and Meghan ones are proving extremely popular, which says a lot about how they’re regarded in Windsor.

“I think that shows how far they’ve gone from heroes on their wedding day to zeroes.”

The toys, which are “100 unofficial and unendorsed parody pet toys”, have two squeakers in their heads and stomachs.

They are stocked by A Dogs Life Co in the town’s Royal Station shopping centre, and cost £17.99 each.

read more on harry and meghan

They are made by Pet Hate Toys and available in small and regular sizes — with squeakers in the head and belly.

It says the Meghan figure is the “picture of elegance” in a shirt, tailored trousers and watch.

Harry is described as having a realistic “bald spot and stern face”.

The blurb continues: “Harry looks so dapper in his fav- furr-ite blue suit, with dog design tie and trademark bangle.”

The shop in Windsor, Berks, also stocks “pawlitical parody” toys of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Sir Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and Elon Musk.

The customer added: “I think they’re hilarious.”

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Dog toys of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

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The Meghan figure is the ‘picture of elegance’ in a shirt, tailored trousers and watchCredit: w8media
Prince Harry dog toy.

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Harry is described as having a realistic ‘bald spot and stern face’Credit: w8media
Dog toys of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

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The toys have two squeakers in their heads and stomachsCredit: w8media

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Fears for Princess stuck in three-year coma as she faces grim health battle after developing ‘severe’ infection

THERE are fears for a Thai princess after the royal palace shared a concerning health update following her three-year-long coma battle.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, is said to have developed a severe infection.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol waving from a car.

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Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol waves to supporters from inside a car as they arrive at the Grand Palace for a Buddhist ceremonyCredit: EPA
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti on a balcony.

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Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn stands with his familyCredit: AFP
Woman in cycling helmet waving while on bicycle.

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She is a known fitness enthusiastCredit: Reuters

The 46-year-old, affectionately known as Princess Bha, collapsed in December, 2022, while training her dogs in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of Bangkok.

She has been in a coma ever since.

The Bureau of the Royal Household gave the first update on her condition in more than two years on Friday, saying she had suffered a “severe” blood infection.

The palace said in a following update that a team of doctors were closely monitoring her situation.

It read: “The medical team said that she remains in a state of low blood pressure, requiring continuous treatment.

“Doctors are administering medication to stabilise her blood pressure, along with medical equipment and antibiotics to support kidney function and breathing.”

Over the years, some reports have suggested her health condition is far more serious than the palace is letting on.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha was training her dogs at a working dog championship organised by the Thaiarmy when she collapsed.

Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital before a helicopter took her to Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn health facility.

Bajrakitiyabha is the daughter of the king’s first wife, Princess Soamsawali.

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She has been part of her father’s inner circle since he came to the throne in 2016 and is a senior officer in the king’s personal guard.

The fitness enthusiast is widely viewed as the most suitable successor for her father, who turned 70 this year.

She has post-graduate law degrees from two US universities and has long called for prison reforms in Thailand.

She was also the Thai ambassador to Austria between 2012 and 2014.

The 73-year-old king, who has seven children from four marriages, has not announced his chosen heir.

Though succession rules in Thailand favour men.

The Thai King, Queen, and Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol waving from a car.

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Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol wave to supporters on arrival at the Grand Palace in BangkokCredit: AFP
People bowing before a portrait of Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol.

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Well-wishers bow in front of an image of Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol at Chulalongkorn Hospital in BangkokCredit: AFP

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Meghan shares trailer for new series of critically savaged Netflix show – after she & Harry struck ‘downgraded’ deal

MEGHAN Markle’s heavily criticised Netflix show has been renewed for a second season as a new trailer dropped.

Footage showed the Duchess of Sussex alongside a host of famous guests ahead of the release of the second series of With Love, Meghan on August 26.

Screenshot of Meghan Markle smiling in a kitchen.

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Meghan Markle in the trailer for the second season of her show With Love, MeghanCredit: Instagram
Meghan Markle in a kitchen scene.

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A number of stars are due to join the Duchess of Sussex in the new series
Meghan Markle getting a bottle of champagne from a refrigerator.

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The first season aired on Netflix in March, with the new series set to land on August 26Credit: Netflix

The first season of Meghan’s eight-part Netflix show saw her bee-keeping, making homemade candles and cooking with celeb pals, including Mindy Kaling and make-up artist Daniel Martin.

Now, the show’s second series promises to be “fun and heartwarming” as a plethora of celebrity guests are due to make their appearance.

This includes stars Chrissy Teigen, Christina Tosi, Jamie Kern Lima, and Tan France.

Describing the new season, Netflix said: “Meghan returns with a fun and heartwarming new season, welcoming celebrity chefs, talented artists, and beloved friends for hands-on adventures filled with laughter and discovery.

“From playful cooking challenges to DIY projects, Meghan and her guests explore bold flavors, experiment with new techniques, and discover simple ways to add beauty to everyday life.

“It’s all about embracing playfulness over perfection and finding joy in creating together.”

Meghan can be seen laughing alongside guests at her Montecito home in the trailer, even joking at the end about Prince Harry’s lack of love for lobster.

Speaking to Chef Andrés, she says: “You know who doesn’t like lobster? My husband.”

In response, the chef light-heartedly retorts: “And you married him anyway?”

This comes after Harry and Meghan announced yesterday they had signed a new “multi-year, first look deal” with the American streaming giant to produce “film and television projects”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have previously released a number of shows on the platform, including a 2022 documentary on their lives and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan this year.

They had secured a lucrative five-year contract – thought to be worth more than $100 million (£74 million) – with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020.

However, this new deal has been signed for “much less”, an insider told Page Six.

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Meghan said in a statement: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand.

“My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.”

Netflix will only pay for projects they want to screen, rather than pay in a single multi-million pound agreement like the one signed in 2020, The Sun understands.

The Sun can also reveal, however, that the streaming giants will cover Archewell Productions’s overheads, including all costs for its offices and staff.

The new deal was also described as a “downgrade” by PR expert Mark Borkowski.

He told the Mail: “I think Netflix has done a very neat job of pivoting away from two very expensive people who didn’t deliver, and they’ve taken that deal off the table, and they’ve given them a modest one. 

“It’s not like they’re gradually uncoupling – it’s a downgrade. Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again. It’s Netflix saying, ‘Let’s have a look at your content, but we’ll pick and choose, mate’.”

‘Meghan & Harry need to come up with a hit soon’

By Matt Wilkinson

JUST when you thought it was safe to turn the telly on again… Harry and Meghan are back. And their multi-year renewal with Netflix means they are not going away anytime soon.

There have been tense negotiations in recent weeks but Netflix is so deeply involved with Meghan’s As Ever brand it was always likely that the streaming giants would want them back.

Make no mistake, Harry and Meghan would have been desperate for the deal to be renewed. They will likely be opening a bottle or two of As Ever Rose in Montecito.

Because they have invested heavily in Archewell Productions and getting on board with Netflix is central not only to their post-Royal endeavours but more importantly crucial to their bank accounts.

If they lost their Netflix money then how could they afford their life in the US?

While the length of the deal or how much the couple are getting paid is vague we do know that Meghan will appear in a ‘holiday special’ in December that will likely clash with the Princess of Wales’s annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

And finally, two years after I revealed in The Sun the couple had bought the rights to the book Meet Me At The Lake, production is in active development.

Sources close to the couple are coy about whether Harry or Meghan will appear on screen for the production of Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within which will air later this year.

But perhaps the best piece of news from the announcement is no repeat of the six-part documentary which dumped on the Royal Family.

However, ‘Harry & Meghan’ was a ratings dream and none of their projects since have been anywhere as successful. They need to come up with a hit soon.

And this ‘first look’ deal means Netflix has the first option on new projects from the couple without any guaranteed commitment.

But remember the Sussexes are not the only Royals to be in bed with Netflix.

The King will feature in a documentary on The King’s Foundation with Idris Elba.

On top of Season 2 of With Love, Meghan – which will drop later this month – the couple will also film a “Holiday Celebration” Christmas special.

“Join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration,” the announcement read.

“Together, friends and family deck the halls, create holiday feasts, craft heartfelt gifts, and share lots of laughs – with simple how-tos to follow at home. It’s a holiday wonder with warmth, tradition, and a generous dose of joy.”

The couple will also release a short film called “Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within” which will look at Uganda’s Masaka region and the HIV/AIDS crisis there.

This has echoes of Harry’s mum Diana’s work, who pioneered social change on perceptions of HIV/AIDS.

She famously shook the hand of a man suffering with the illness without gloves, publicly challenging the idea that HIV/Aids was passed from person to person by touch.

There is also “active development” on other projects with Netflix which “span a variety of content genres”, including a feature adaptation of the bestselling romantic novel by Carley Fortune, Meet Me At The Lake.

Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, said: “Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.

“The response to their work speaks for itself — Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series.

“More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As Ever line consistently selling out in record time.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.”

It was previously thought that the Sussexes’ £74million deal with the streamer was not going to be renewed.

Harry’s vanity project, Polo, about the sport, was watched by just 500,000 people.

But it was also understood that bosses were mildly infuriated by Meghan making her As Ever brand a priority.

The With Love, Meghan viewing figures have reportedly been “dismal”.

Lifestyle and cookery show With Love, Meghan only ranked at number 383 in Netflix’s six-monthly engagement report this year, with just 5.3million viewers across the globe.

Described by one critic as an “exercise in narcissism”, it was beaten by reruns of the first four seasons of legal drama Suits, which also starred the Duchess in her pre-royal days.

Once judged by some as Britain’s greatest soft power asset since Princess Diana, Meghan was filmed for her show making ladybird-shaped canapes from cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls.

In truth, the show is a smash hit compared to her husband’s vanity docuseries Polo, blasted as “a dull indulgence about a rich person’s pursuit”.

In the first six months of the year the programme attracted a disastrous 500,000 views globally, ranking it at number 3,442 out of around 7,000 shows.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kissing in a garden.

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The Duchess of Sussex’s show previously featured husband Prince Harry and some celeb pals, including Mindy KalingCredit: Netflix

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Rare royal mourning ring commissioned by King George IV bought in charity shop for just £15 – here’s what it’s worth

A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15.

The gold band, engraved with the touching words “Remember me”, was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III.

Royal mourning ring with enamel and gold detailing.

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A rare royal mourning ring worth thousands of pounds which is up for auction after being bought from a charity shop in Leicester for just £15Credit: PA
Close-up of a gold mourning ring with inscription.

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A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to makeCredit: PA
Man in suit holding up a small ring.

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Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.”Credit: PA

The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.”

The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection.

Mr Hanson recalled: “I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.”

Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis.

Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child.

The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV.

They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor.

“The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,” Mr Hanson said.

“White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried.

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“It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.”

In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father’s hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – “remember me”.

A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make.

“This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,” said Mr Hanson.

“It’s not just the monetary value – it’s the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.”

Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition.

Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely.

Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: “It’s incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections.

“Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.”

The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection.

It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons’ Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction.

The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad.

Portrait of George IV as Prince Regent.

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The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince RegentCredit: Getty – Contributor
Portrait of William IV, King of the United Kingdom.

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The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers,Credit: De Agostini – Getty

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Why crafty Meghan Markle is exploiting Beckhams war as golden ticket to new ‘Fab Four’ after dropping A-list pals

FORGET Game of Thrones, nobody understands the art of forming alliances better than Meghan Markle – but her latest friendship might just be her most fruitful yet. 

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend… and having been blacklisted by David and Victoria Beckham, she and Harry have now made their allegiances very clear, while also bolstering their own “cool” social standing in the process. 

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham at the Airbnb 2025 Summer Release event.

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Brooklyn and Nicola are hot property – with a combined Instagram following of over 19million between themCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry smiling at a Beyoncé concert.

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Harry and Meghan have been upping their public appearances – and packing on the PDA – amid her reinvention as a lifestyle queen
Victoria and David Beckham at his 50th birthday party in Miami.

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David and Victoria Beckham have reportedly been blindsided by the new Peltz-Beckham and Sussex allianceCredit: David Beckham/Instagram

And it’s all thanks to their new friendship with Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz.

After all, it’s no secret that Meghan is making every concerted effort right now to re-establish herself as a lifestyle guru and online influencer. 

Since launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever, last month, she’s upped her output on social media in a bid to cement herself as the ultimate domestic goddess and yummy mummy.

Having the endorsement of the Beckham-Peltzes – who have a massive social media following between them and are hot property right now, thanks to all the whispers circulating about tensions with Brooklyn’s family – would only help her cause.

What’s more, having seen their friendships with the likes of George and Amal Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Brooklyn’s parents, David and Victoria Beckham, fall flat, Meghan and Harry can use all the star power they can get right now. 

As the Sun exclusively revealed this week, the Sussexes and the Peltz-Beckhams came together last week at a dinner at the Sussexes’ mansion in Montecito, California.

The VIP event, which included 18 other guests, had been planned for weeks – but its timing, just days after Brooklyn and Nicola skipped his dad David’s 50th birthday celebrations amid a very public fall-out, was significant. 

According to insiders, the two couples “found a lot of common ground” – as Harry and Meghan lent an empathetic ear, and shared their own tales of battle with Harry’s family

As far as they are concerned, they’ve both been treated unfairly, prompting their estrangements. 

And in the aftermath, the two couples have potentially formed a powerful alliance.

This may be an unlikely quartet, but it might just be a friendship that pays dividends. 

Prince Harry & Meghan’s secret mansion summit with Brooklyn Beckham & Nicola Peltz to share trauma of toxic family feuds
Meghan Markle arranging fruit in a kitchen.

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Meghan – pictured starring in her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan – has relaunched herself as a domestic goddessCredit: Netflix
Woman holding two children on a balcony.

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Meghan’s been showing more snippets of her home life – including snaps with her and Harry’s kids, Archie, six, and Lilibet, three – in her bid to be the ultimate yummy mummyCredit: Instagram
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in swimwear by a pool.

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Having Gen Z stars Nicola and Brooklyn on side would potentially open her up to an even bigger audienceCredit: Instagram

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes Meghan is well aware of the benefits that come from this new foursome. 

“Meghan is a very strategic player,” he tells us. “She knows how to maximise her influence by associating herself with those who have more than her.

“This move is positioning her away from old Hollywood stars who have already established themselves, like Oprah and the Clooneys, and it’s bringing new blood into the Montecito establishment.”

He adds: “No one saw this friendship coming, but Meghan really looks like she’s creating a new ‘Fab Four’ with Harry, Brooklyn and Nicola.”

Fab Four

Let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time the Sussexes have attempted to form a solid quartet. 

Back in 2018, months before they got married, Harry and Meghan teamed up with Prince William and Kate Middleton to launch a charity partnership

The two couples were dubbed “the Fab Four” – representing a new and exciting era for the royal family.

But, as we all know by now, alliances change and – having once been tied by brotherly bonds – the two couples fell out amid Harry and Meghan’s acrimonious departure from royal life.

Since then the Sussexes haven’t held back in airing their grievances against the Waleses, most notably in Harry’s memoir Spare

In it, the former senior royal alleged that his brother had physically attacked him amid their Megxit negotiations, and claimed that Kate had made Meghan cry before their wedding over a disagreement about Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress. 

These days the warring couples have reportedly cut all communication, and that ‘Fab Four’ alliance is splintered beyond repair. 

‘Blacklisted’

Meanwhile, other A-list friendships have also fallen by the wayside.

Take George and Amal Clooney, who were proudly in attendance at Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, and hosted them at their mansion in Lake Como soon after. 

The two couples don’t seem to have spoken for years, and the Clooneys have made their indifference to the Sussexes known by snubbing them from several high-profile events they’ve hosted. 

Likewise, fellow wedding attendees David and Victoria Beckham have also blacklisted their former friends. 

No one saw this friendship coming, but Meghan really looks like she’s creating a new ‘Fab Four’ with Harry, Brooklyn and Nicola

Nick EdeBrand and culture expert

As we’ve reported, the two couples were historically close, and Meghan even wore a Victoria Beckham dress in her first post-Megxit appearance as a mark of respect to her famous friend. 

But – after the couple accused Victoria of selling stories about them to the press – the lines of communication went dead. 

The Beckhams duly switched their own allegiances to the royals, and have since been getting closer than ever to Harry’s estranged father and brother. 

They’ve further demonstrated their antipathy by failing to invite the Sussexes to either one of their big 50th birthday celebrations – which, as we’ve seen, included a long list of A-list attendees including Tom Cruise, Eva Longoria and Gordon Ramsay.

So, having been declared personae non gratae by the Beckhams, it seems as if all bets are off.

Amal and George Clooney at a wedding.

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George and Amal Clooney famously attended the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018Credit: Getty
Victoria and David Beckham arriving at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.

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David and Victoria were also in attendance at St George’s Chapel in Windsor to watch the nuptialsCredit: Getty
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Prince William sitting on chairs at a forum.

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Shortly before they got married, Harry and Meghan banded together with Prince William and Kate Middleton to launch The Royal Foundation – and were duly dubbed the ‘Fab Four’Credit: PA:Press Association/PA Images

Raft of opportunities

With relations between David and Victoria and their eldest son Brooklyn reportedly at an all-time low, this Montecito dinner has made a very public statement indeed. 

Yet this isn’t simply a case of trying to get back at the Beckhams.

For all intents and purposes, Brooklyn and Nicola’s friendship could hold the key to a raft of opportunities for Harry and Meghan at this critical juncture in their own lives.

As she strives to promote her brand As Ever – in tandem with her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, and her recent Netflix series With Love, Meghan – Meghan’s been relying on her A-list connections. 

To that end, she’s been sending out her homemade jams, and other products including shortbread biscuits and herbal teas, to friends including Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, in the hope that they might plug them on their Instagram pages. 

But so far, her connections haven’t quite paid off when it comes to promoting her business.

Indeed, one of the biggest complaints when it came to her Netflix series was that, while we know she’s enjoyed friendships with the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams in the past, she didn’t deliver on serving up A-list cameos on camera. 

Her biggest signing was Mindy Kaling, but even that interaction seemed awkward and not representative of a genuine friendship. 

Meghan Markle and Mindy Kaling making sandwiches in a kitchen.

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Mindy Kaling appeared on the Netflix series With Love, MeghanCredit: Netflix
Gift basket of lemons and lemon curd from American Riviera Orchard.

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Before renaming her brand As Ever, Meghan sent her American Riviera Orchard jam to famous friends, including Kris Jenner, in the hope that they’d plug the product onlineCredit: Instagram
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.

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Serena Williams – pictured with husband Alexis Ohanian – was another famous friend who turned up to the Sussexes’ wedding, but seems to have distanced herself from the couple in recent timesCredit: AP:Associated Press

So, having Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola , 30 – who both have a massive social media standing – on side could be highly advantageous to Meghan’s brand and online popularity. 

While Brooklyn, in particular, may be the butt of several jokes when it comes to his career as an online “chef”, there’s no denying that his fans love watching him cook up a storm on his social media. 

The nepo baby now has a whopping 16.3million followers on his Instagram account – which eclipses Meghan’s following of 2.9million.

With that kind of popularity, Brooklyn’s endorsement of Meghan’s jam, and her brand in general, would be a big win for As Ever. 

It’s time to build on her credibility and build an audience who are authentic and buy into her brand.

Nick Ede

What’s more, Brooklyn and Nicola bring a hip and fresh factor to this new dynamic. 

The Clooneys and the Beckhams may be established and dynastic couples, but the Peltz-Beckhams represent the next gen of showbiz influencers.

This potential leverage among younger followers will not have escaped Meghan’s attention. 

It’s worth noting that the Duchess of Sussex has already made attempts to broaden her showbiz squad. 

Earlier this year, she gave an online shoutout to Billie Eilish, the ultimate Gen Z cool girl, after the latter helped her with a charitable endeavour.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at a Beyoncé concert.

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Harry and Meghan packed on the PDA at a recent Beyonce concert
David and Victoria Beckham at Buckingham Palace.

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Having distanced themselves from the Sussexes, the Beckhams have since been ingratiating themselves with the Royal Family – even attending events at Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA

She and Harry also recently stepped out at Beyonce’s LA concert – packing on the PDA and later thanking the singer online for a very fun “date night”.

This new Meghan is one who wants to be perceived as laid back, personable and fun – countering claims made in the past year that she’s a “bully” and difficult to work with. 

Having the endorsement of a young, cool couple like Brooklyn and Nicola at this time could be beneficial – and Meghan knows it.

Meanwhile for Harry, having Brooklyn on side, who – as a Brit abroad – represents a piece of home at a time when he remains largely estranged from his family, might just be the source of comfort he needs. 

Building a business should be Meghan’s priority

Nick Ede

But, as Nick tells us, she shouldn’t rely on her A-list friendships to guarantee her brand’s future.

She may be hoping to garner attention, but – ultimately – consumers want high quality products, regardless of who’s endorsing them.

“Whether this is a good move for Meghan is something we will have to wait and see,” Nick says. “The As Ever brand is still in its early days, and so is her TV career as a lifestyle expert.

“It’s time to build on her credibility and build an audience who are authentic and buy into her brand. 

“Building a business should be her priority – this relationship may just serve as a distraction, rather than a positive step for both parties.”

Prince Harry and David Beckham shaking hands at an awards ceremony.

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Brooklyn, then 13, last met Prince Harry in 2011 at the Sun Military Awards, alongside his dad DavidCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
Catherine, Princess of Wales, arriving at a British Design event.

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Kate Middleton recently made her own allegiances known in a Victoria Beckham suitCredit: Getty
Prince William and David Beckham stand in front of a London Air Ambulance helicopter.

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While David is close to Prince William, their estranged family members – Brooklyn Beckham and Prince Harry – are hanging out in LACredit: PA

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