Meghan's secret wedding invite strategy uncovered - and bold words from guest
According to a royal insider, the high-profile celebrities who attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018 were invited for one key reason
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, the guest list included everyone from royal family members, close friends and a wide array of the Hollywood elite.
Harry and Meghan tied the knot in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19th 2018, with thousands of people descended onto the streets of Windsor to catch a glimpse of the royal newlyweds, while millions of people from around the world watched the nuptials from home. In comparison to other royal weddings, one unique feature of Harry and Meghan's guest list stood out: the sheer amount of high-profile celebrities.
Among the famous faces in the congregation were Oprah, George and Amal Clooney, Victoria and David Beckham, Kris Jenner, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, Elton John, and various members from the cast of Suits, who all received gold-embossed invitations for the big day.
Despite the crowd being filled with celebrities, one royal author has claimed that Meghan and Harry didn't actually know many of the A-listers invited. Instead, it is claimed those lucky enough to receive an invitation only did so Meghan could 'recruit' the celebs as new friends.
In her 2022 book called The Palace Papers, royal author Tina Brown wrote: 'The celebrity guests were a portrait not of Meghan's intimate circle but of the friends she most wanted to recruit.'
Ms Brown said that Meghan 'scarcely' knew Oprah Winfrey before the royal wedding, having only met once or twice. Oprah eventually went on to be the face of the infamous 2021 interview with Meghan, in which she shared her scathing thoughts on the Firm and how she was treated during her time as a working royal.
The royal author also recalled an intimate conversation overheard from the church pews, with Boris Johnson 's sister Rachel alleging that Princess Diana 's former flatmate turned to George and Amal Clooney alongside her in the pew and asked how they knew Harry or Meghan, to which they responded brightly: 'We don't.'
During the wedding, Mr and Mrs Clooney were given seats for the special ceremony right next to Lady Carolyn Warren, the wife of the late Queen's bloodstock adviser John Warren, and opposite Princess Margaret's son, Viscount Linley.
Despite the calibre of her wedding guest list, Meghan has seemingly failed to foster lasting relationships with some the celebs after her big day, as none of her wedding guests appeared on her Netflix programme With Love, Meghan.
Viewers largely expected her to bring in the likes of Oprah, tennis superstar Serena Williams and filmmaker Tyler Perry - who is godfather to Princess Lilibet - as guests on her lifestyle show.
Instead, guests featured names such as Meghan's former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, Delfina Figueras - socialite wife of Harry's polo-playing chum Nacho - and chef Roy Choi
The biggest stars to appear in the show were Harry himself - who had a few minutes of airtime in the final episode in the eight-part series - and actress, writer and producer Mindy Kaling, who appears in the second episode.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Netflix fans rush to binge 'must-see' series after huge Rotten Tomatoes boost
When the first season of Netflix's workplace comedy Tires arrived last year, the raunchy tone and divisive lead Shane Gillis clearly weren't for everyone. In fact, it wasn't for a lot of people. The show only scored a 40 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the equivalent of the unwanted green splat –and if it hadn't been renewed before its release, you have to wonder whether Netflix would have brought the show back at all. But now the second season has arrived on the streaming platform and brought with it considerable improvements on the first season – so much so the new episodes currently hold a 80 percent rating on the Tomatometer. Big gains. Made on a shoestring budget compared to other recent Netflix releases like Fubar or Sirens, Tires sees Gillis play a fictionalised version of himself (also called Shane), who inherits his father's Pennsylvania chain of tire shops. For fans of The Bear, it's a premise that might sound familiar, with two cousins at the reins. There's wayward manager Will (co-creator Steven Gerben) and firebrand Shane (Shane Gillis), who run through a series of harebrained schemes to try and keep the business afloat. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The show was a self-funded passion project for Gillis, who was fired from Saturday Night Live – before he had even started on the sketch comedy show – for using a racist slur and making offensive jokes on his podcast. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gillis made the sitcom pilot for his YouTube channel in 2019, before he invested in filming a full, six-episode season, which Netflix then acquired. While the first season was met with a muted response from critics, the second is already receiving plaudits for a more tasteful level of comedy and feel-good experience, blended with great cast additions and more full-bodied episode arcs. The show has been dipping in and out of the Netflix ranking of its top 10 TV, with many fans taking to X to praise the storytelling gains Tires has made for its sophomore outing. @thejollywodger labelled the new season of the show 'sensational', while @Jaspg wrote: 'I'm only three episodes in on season two of Tires and it's better than season one.' Mercy For None . The seven-episode series follows a 'former gangster' who 'returns to the underworld' after his brother is murdered, fuelled by 'power, ambition and revenge'. . The seven-episode series follows a 'former gangster' who 'returns to the underworld' after his brother is murdered, fuelled by 'power, ambition and revenge'. The Waterfront . A story synopsis provided by Netflix says: 'Set against the backdrop of coastal North Carolina… [The Waterfront] centers on the fictional Buckley family and their crumbling fishing empire.' . A story synopsis provided by Netflix says: 'Set against the backdrop of coastal North Carolina… [The Waterfront] centers on the fictional Buckley family and their crumbling fishing empire.' Ginny and Georgia . The popular show follows the mother and daughter duo (Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howey) as the try to put down roots in a new town and escape their past. . The popular show follows the mother and daughter duo (Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howey) as the try to put down roots in a new town and escape their past. Year of the Rabbit. Set in London in 1887, the show follows 'a group of Victorian detectives including Detective Inspector Rabbit, a hardened boozehound who's seen it all, and his new, hapless, by-the-books partner'. 'Tires went from watchable to a must-see in season 2,' wrote @HollywoodInToto. Elsewhere on the social media platform, @GamerRickMMA had incredibly high praise. They wrote: 'Just binge watched all of Tires season 2 and I've got to say it's one of.. if not the best comedy series I've ever watched. More Trending 'I'm not usually a fan of American comedy as it's kinda corny but this is comedy gold. Shane Gillis, when you releasing season 3?' @N_asty25 echoed: 'Shane Gillis' Tires needs to take a page out of Letterkenny's book and pump out a season every year at the minimum. 'This is legit gold. Steve Gerben's acting (which I'm guessing is mostly improv) has improved dramatically from season 1 to 2. Season 2 gets a 9.1/10 from me.' View More » Tires seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Underrated' 90s thriller compared to Criminal Minds is finally coming to Netflix MORE: Bridgerton star fights off prolific phone thief as crowds watch on MORE: 'Raw' thriller with unbelievable twist shoots to the top of Netflix chart
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Netflix users slam new update
Published: | Updated: Netflix users around the world are lashing out over a new update that many say has ruined their viewing experience. The streaming giant, which boasts over 300 million subscribers , has rolled out a redesigned user interface (UI) to deliver better recommendations and a more personalized experience. However, the update has triggered a wave of frustration, with some subscribers calling it 'diabolical.' 'Netflix has destroyed the app. Worst UI redesign ever. Everyone needs to cancel,' one user posted on X. Users are now presented with enlarged title cards, the rectangular graphics that preview shows and movies, which they said takes up more screen space and reduces the number of titles visible at once. Previously, users could scroll through multiple rows of compact tiles. The 'clunky' title boxes have also taken the place of key features that users said helped them find movies and shows easily. 'Netflix's update is diabolical. Where the hell is the 'Coming Soon' section?!' another frustrated user shared on X. Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone emphasized the company's focus on merging technology with entertainment, calling it Netflix's 'superpower' that improves user connection with shows and movies. The streaming giant believes the new experience will save users from overwhelming situations, like choosing what to watch, by providing tailor-made suggestions for them. In the previous version, shortcuts like Search and My List were located on the left side. Now, shortcuts to Search, Shows, Movies, Games, and My Netflix are located at the top of your screen and always visible. The revamped homepage introduces multiple rows of content that update based on a user's viewing habits. For instance, someone watching a romantic comedy may suddenly see an entire section dedicated to similar films. 'The new Netflix TV experience is still the one you know and love, just better,' Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim said. Despite the company's promises, many users are taking to social media to complain that the update has worsened their viewing experience. 'Whoever's job it was to update Netflix UI, I'm praying for a resignation in the coming weeks. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE,' an X user shared. On Reddit, where user experience discussions often gain traction, subscribers echoed the frustration. One described the update as 'so dire' they were considering canceling their subscription. Another added: 'It was so slick and easy to use before. Now it's so clunky.' Some subscribers have even launched a petition urging Netflix to revert the layout, arguing that the new interface shows only three to four titles per screen, which is a drastic drop from the 20 or more shown previously. While users are outraged, Netflix stands by the design that it said will better accommodate its growing library of movies, TV shows and games. The platform also plans to add generative AI-powered search features, beginning with a beta rollout on iOS. The new AI-powered search tool will let users find content using natural language — for example, typing 'I want something funny and upbeat' instead of searching for specific titles. Despite the backlash, Netflix appears committed to the redesign. The company said internal testing showed strong user engagement, suggesting confidence that the interface will grow on subscribers over time. Interestingly, signs of user discontent surfaced months ago. Some began voicing complaints during early beta testing, particularly over the enlarged tiles and the diminished ease of browsing, concerns that have since exploded across social platforms.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Watch awkward moment Love Island stars sneak out of bedroom for steamy night in the Hideaway
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Love Island villa is set to be rocked tonight as two stars decide to sneak away for a night alone in the hideaway. The Sun told early this week how blonde air hostess Helena Ford, 29, and semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley, 30, snuck off and the scenes will play out on screen tonight. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Helena is seen leaving the bedroom in scenes tonight Credit: ITV 6 Harry gets up to join her - waking up the others Credit: ITV 6 The pair decided to sleep in the hideaway Credit: ITV In a first look from the episode Harry is seen telling Helena to tap his foot on the way out. But things don't go quite according to plan and most of the other islander spot them sneaking away - including a bemused Shakira Khan, who was sharing a bed with him. A source previously told The Sun: 'This is the fastest sleepover in the Hideaway in Love Island's twelve series history - and what a gorgeous pair to do so. 'In the past, producers had to invite Islanders to use the breakout bedroom which meant the love nest was generally not used until couples became more established. 'But producers have changed the rules of the breakout bedroom so it can be used at any time, without an invite. 'It means Helena and Harry could take advantage of the 'no invite needed' and explore their connection. 'The scenes will play out later this week, but bosses are unlikely to show anything too naughty, as is the show's usual approach.' Earlier in the episode - Harry discovers that Shakira and Blu had shared a kiss in the hideaway. Dejon says: 'You know he (Blu) kissed her (Shakira)?' Harry replies: 'No he didn't…I don't believe what I'm hearing.' Harry then asks Shakira about the kiss with Blu before telling her: 'All that matters is I want to pursue things with you.' Harry later hears Blu's side of the story, with Blu telling him: 'We had two kisses, where's your head at? It seems to me your with Helena more and flirting?' Harry says: 'I think it's more flirty, but I think Shakira's got more substance.' 6 Harry and Shakira ran off as everyone look on in horror Credit: ITV 6 Harry is paired up with Shakira Credit: Eroteme
