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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal fans accuse Meghan Markle of 'copying' Kate with 'festive' new Netflix announcement
Royal fans have accused Meghan Markle of 'copying' the Princess of Wales after it was revealed the second season of the Duchess's 'With Love, Meghan' lifestyle show will include a Christmas special. Fans have compared it to the festive productions created by Kate Middleton, 43. These include her 2019 collaboration with Mary Berry on a seasonal cookery programme, and her annual carol service, titled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, which is typically broadcast on ITV1 on December 24. Yesterday, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed a new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' with Netflix, which has been described as a downgrade on their previous contract with the streamer. The couple's new output is slated to include a second season of the Duchess's lifestyle show released later this month, as well as a Christmas special titled With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, in December. Fans have criticised the news, accusing the Suits actress, 44, of 'copying' Kate by releasing a Christmas episode. Writing on X (formerly Twitter) one said: 'Anything to compete with Catherine. A December holiday special, really?' A second lamented: 'A Christmas special?! Good grief, is there NOTHING Meghan won't attempt to do better than Catherine, Princess of Wales - and fail MISERABLY at? Just when I thought we would take up a Netflix subscription again.' Other fans feared the two productions could have clashing release dates. A third wrote: 'Meghan's "Christmas Special" may clash with the Princess of Wales 'Together at Christmas' concert?! Oh I am in no doubts that Meghan would push for that date specifically!' 'So Just like Princess Catherine's Holiday special then! The difference is Megan has no Royals or family attending hers!' another commented. 'What is sad certain accounts on here will promote it if it lands on the same day as Catherine's Christmas special and give her free publicity instead of ignoring Meghan.' In 2024, Kate held her fourth festive concert at Westminster Abbey, delighting fans with her appearance after enduring what she described as 'probably the hardest year of my life'. The Princess attended the concert on December 6 alongside her husband, Prince William, 43, and three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Fans will also likely be referencing Kate's 's 2019 Christmas show, a BBC show featuring baking legend Mary Berry titled A Berry Royal Christmas special. Unlike Meghan's latest venture, the production was a charitable project featuring the Princess and Prince William joining forces with the former Great British Bake Off star to volunteer with local communities to prepare festive food over the Christmas period. The programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables. Announcing the news of the extended creative partnership yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the second season of their show would include 'a new special holiday episode'. The festive programme was warmly received at the time. It included various cooking confessions from Kate, who said she loves to bake and that she grows her own vegetables. Their statement read: 'This December, join Meghan in Montecito for a magical holiday celebration,' referencing the California town where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live with their two children. The new arrangement is a first-look deal, meaning Netflix can say yes or no to new film or TV projects before anyone else. One of the projects the Sussexes are working on Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within - a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV /Aids crisis linger'. There is also 'active development' on other projects with Netflix which 'span a variety of content genres', including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake. Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple's bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan as well as being a business partner on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (£74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and they represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: 'They have shot the golden goose of 2020 - more of a "we'll call you" than "here's the chequebook". 'It's a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim. I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo. 'They're still in business together - Meghan's. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan's new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.' Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days and reaching the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. But With Love, Meghan failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. However, the Duchess said today: '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.' 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.' Brand and culture expert Nick Ede said: '[Netflix] know that with Meghan and Harry there will always be interest and they won't want to lose them to a rival streamer so this is a good way of keeping them as part of the Netflix family but not spending as much as they did previously, when only two of the content that was created were real winners for the streamer.' Mr Ede added: 'I think that Polo and Heart of Invictus were pretty niche shows and didn't rate well. They have probably seen the slate that archewell has created for their future productions and pitches are interesting and may be developed more for the streaming service.' As Ever is Meghan's lifestyle brand which also sells cookie mix, herb tea, flower sprinkles and jams – and launched a new Napa Valley rosé wine last Friday. In March the Duchess launched her new podcast series 'Confessions Of A Female Founder' with Lemonada Media, which included an interview with Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles. Meghan's Archetypes series about female stereotypes in 2022 ran for just one series, and was part of the Sussexes' previous multi-million-pound deal with Spotify, which ended the year after. Last month a Netflix source claimed Harry and Meghan's hopes of a new Netflix deal were 'dead' after Polo and With Love, Meghan both flopped in the ratings. The insider was quoted as saying: 'This deal is dead. She had everything going for her - name, platform, press - and the numbers were dismal. They're just waiting for the credits to roll. They're letting it expire without drama. There's no appetite for anything new.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix Re-Signs Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—But For Less Than Original Deal
Archewell Productions, the media company founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, signed a new deal with Netflix and announced its first new project after rumors circulated that Netflix had cut ties with the couple. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen on April 23, 2025 in New York City. GC Images Netflix on Monday announced it renewed its creative partnership with Harry and Meghan (after reports the relationship was ending) with a multi-year, first-look deal that will give the streamer the right of first refusal for all Archewell film and television projects The new deal is structured differently than the $100 million, five-year agreement struck in 2020 in which Netflix paid Herry and Meghan for the exclusive rights to all Archewell content. Under the new agreement, which the New York Times reported is worth less, Netflix has the first option to stream Archewell content. The new deal comes with less commitment from Netflix and reflects the streamer's move away from all-encompassing agreements (a deal with Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground that was similar to the initial exclusivity arrangement with Archewell transitioned into a first-look deal last year). Netflix also invested in As Ever, the lifestyle brand Markle launched with the streamer last year that sells products like jam, wine and baking mixes, producing some of the products through its consumer product group and sharing in the revenue, according to the Times. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here : In addition to a second season of "With Love, Meghan," which has already been made and will debut later this month, Netflix announced it will produce a special holiday episode at the couple's California home called "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration." The deal also includes a film adaptation of bestselling novel "Meet Me at the Lake" and includes a documentary short about an orphanage in Uganda, famous for its viral videos, called "Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within." Archewell Productions is also in 'active development' on additional projects with Netflix and As Ever will expand into new product categories later this year, the streamer said. When its first deal was announced, Archewell and Netflix said they would make 'inspirational family programming' including documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows and children's television, but it made just five projects in the last five years and none were children's TV, feature films or scripted shows. The explosive 2022 'Harry & Meghan' docuseries was by far the most successful to come out of the deal and still holds the record for the most viewing time of any Netflix documentary in its debut week. It's still drawing interest and was watched another 7.3 million hours in the first half of 2025. The deal also produced 'Heart of Invictus,' a documentary following athletes participating in the Prince Harry-founded sporting event for wounded veterans; 'Live to Lead,' a docuseries on impactful world leaders, "Polo" about the professional sport; and the lifestyle series 'With Love, Meghan.' 'With Love' spent one week on Netflix's global top 10 list, at No. 10, with 12.6 million hours viewed in its first week. What Is As Ever? Markle launched a brand called American Riviera Orchard via Instagram on March 14, 2024 with a short video that showed the duchess arranging flowers, baking and standing in a stone walkway wearing a floor-length gown. Company registration documents revealed plans to create an online retail store selling tableware, cutlery, cookbooks, stationary, party decorations and other similar items, but no products were ever sold under the name. A trademark request for the brand was rejected and there were several reports no CEO had been found to run the business. In February, she partnered with Netflix and re-branded the company to be called "As Ever.' A handful of products were released, including two jams, three teas and honey, all of which sold out almost immediately. Since then, As Ever has released a Napa Valley rosé, which is available in a three-bottle pack for $90. The brand was featured in the first season of 'With Love, Meghan.' Further Reading Forbes Meghan Markle Renames Lifestyle Brand—Here's What We Know About 'As Ever' By Ty Roush Forbes Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Buy Rights To Bestseller 'Meet Me At The Lake' For Netflix By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs Forbes Harry And Meghan's Spotify Podcast Deal Ends By Alison Durkee Forbes Here's What We Know About Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's $135 Million Deals By Carlie Porterfield
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Suits fans think they've figured out the exact moment in show that gives away when Meghan Markle began dating Prince Harry
Suits fans think they have figured out the exact moment in the show that gives away when Meghan Markle began dating Prince Harry. The former actress, 43, starred in the American legal drama for seven of its nine series, from 2011 to 2018, before the show's finale in 2019. She married the British royal, 40, in May 2018, after meeting him on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in July 2016. They stepped back as senior royals in March 2020 and moved to Montecito, California, where they now raise their two children Archie, six, and Lilibet, three. Harry's fractious relationship with his father King Charles, 76, and his brother Prince William, 43, since then has faced much scrutiny in recent years. But fans have also turned their attention to another aspect of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's lives - namely when in the filming of Suits they met. One fan, who started watching when the programme was added to Netflix in June 2023, said they thought it must be series six, released from July 2016 to March 2017. Interestingly, they based this on the progress of the romance between Meghan's character Rachel Zane and her fellow lawyer Mike Ross (Patrick J Adams). The viewer said, on discussion site Reddit: 'I'm basing this on Mike and Rachel kissing and hugging once despite some seriously intense moments in their story. 'Harvey [Specter, a partner in the firm played by Gabriel Macht] and Mike have more sexual chemistry and honestly, I'm rooting for them to make it.' Another fan agreed: 'Her hemlines grew even longer and her buttons more buttoned-up on her shirts later in season six. 'No more lingering shots on her a** as she walked away too.' Someone else came down on this side too: 'I agree on this. 'Their chemistry completely disappears and to be honest, I never really thought they had a lot of it to begin with. 'But it almost looks like they want nothing to do with each other. Her stress over him going to prison is hardly believable.' After just two dates, Meghan went on holiday with Harry to Botswana for five days in summer 2016 - which he has said was when he knew she was his 'soulmate'. Initial news of the pair's romance broke publicly just before Halloween that year and Harry confirmed it in the November. They were first photographed together in December 2016, before attending their first public event as a couple in May 2017. They announced their engagement in November 2017, before taking on their first royal duties as a pair in December of that year. Another fan thought the point in the Suits shoot where Harry and Meghan met could be slightly later than series six. The sixth series only came out in July 2016 - just at the point when the Sussexes have said they first met. But Meghan has also previously said to Vanity Fair she and Harry were dating for around six months before it became public in late October 2016. Fans have weighed in on when in the Suits shoot they think Harry and Meghan met This suggests they could have met even earlier, perhaps in the late April or May - which muddies the consideration of the Suits shoot timeline even more. The fan explained: 'I was rewatching season seven [released from July 2017 to April 2018] and noticed she was wearing actual pajamas, not lingerie, while sitting up in bed. 'Mike was not in the bed next to her but sitting aside the bed. I'd say that's when I noticed for sure but I'm slow on the uptake!' Someone else agreed: 'I also noticed in season seven Rachel was a lot more modest.' Similarly, one user commented: 'I noticed her wearing a lot more baggy and shapeless articles of clothing in season six and wondered if that was why but it looks like the timeline doesn't add up.' Beyond Suits, Harry and Meghan's relationship with Netflix has already sent ripples through the Royal Family. In 2020, the streaming service reportedly paid $100million (£73.5million) to the couple for a five-year deal. This would include the Sussexes' incendiary tell-all docuseries Harry & Meghan, which was released in December 2022. In that programme, Meghan said she had been prevented from getting help when she was feeling suicidal. Harry, meanwhile, said the Royal Family had shown unconscious racial bias and of briefing the press to print negative stories. Following this, Meghan's first lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, started streaming on the platform in March, while her brand As Ever was launched in April. Her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, also released its first episode this spring. During each of the eight 33-minute episodes of her Netflix show, Meghan was joined by guests as she offered lifestyle tips from inside a rented $8million (£5million) mansion near the Sussexes' Montecito home. With Love, Meghan gives viewers an intimate look into everyday life for the Sussexes, including how the children named two of the chickens 'Phil' and 'Jill'. The duchess, who lives in an $14million (£11million) home with Prince Harry and their children, says even people in 'little flats' in London can enjoy a 'small piece' of her luxury Californian lifestyle. But With Love, Meghan quickly came under attack from reviewers who described it as 'gormless lifestyle filler' with a 'tangible desperation'.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Queen ‘saw straight through Meghan' & branded her and Harry a ‘catastrophe' in weeks before she died, insider reveals
THE late Queen allegedly branded Prince Harry's relationship with Meghan Markle a "complete catastrophe" in the weeks before she died. An insider has revealed how the late monarch"saw straight through Meghan" in the lead up to her passing in September 2022. 3 3 Journalist and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith revealed the queens thoughts on her Substack Royal Extras. Bedell Smith previously told how Harry had been rude to his grandmother during a meeting about his wedding with Meghan refusing to reveal details about her death. Bedell Smith said the interaction left the queen "saddened." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have always claimed their relationship with the Queen was warm despite the rift between them and other senior royals. According to a source, Bedell Smith says, the queen made some strong remarks about the Sussexes at Balmoral just weeks before her death. A group of guests at the Scots castle were alleged to have been privy to some strongly worded comments made by the late queen about Harry and Meghan's union. It came just months before her majesty sadly passed away in September 2022. A source said: "It was out of character for the she saw straight through Meghan. "At the drinks before the dinner, a small group were talking to the monarch and she explained that Harry meeting Meghan had become a complete catastrophe." "By this point we all knew the Queen's health was in decline and she had months left, she seemed regretful about how things had panned out." Harry and Meghan made the Queen's last years a complete misery - they'll NEVER be forgiven At this point the Sussexes had stepped down as working royals and were living in Montecito. When 'Megxit' was announced the late Queen Elizabeth said in a statement: " Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and went on to publicly criticise the family in their 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview. The relationship began to break down in the run up to Harry and Meghan's wedding according to insiders. In the run up to the Harry and Meghan's wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor in 2018, the queen is alleged to have said her grandson was "besotted and weak." She also worried that his bride-to-be had manipulated the prince, while getting away with a raft of bad behaviour. The Queen's first cousin is alleged to have said just days before Meghan and Harry's wedding: "We hope but don't quite think she is in love. We think she engineered it all." According to Bedell Smith, when Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step down as working royals in 2020 the queen tried to find a compromise to stop ' Megxit.' The couple said at the time that they were stepping back to gain more financial independence and avoid the prying eyes of the media. Inside Prince William and Prince Harry's 'feud' TENSIONS have been running high in the royal family since Prince Harry stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California with Meghan Markle. Their last reported interaction was during the funeral of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022, but conversations were said to be brief. The feuding brothers reportedly did not speak to each other despite standing 'virtually back to back' among mourners at their uncle's memorial service last year. Growing up, Wills and Harry shared many of the same friends who were part of their close, tight-knit circle. But their relationship took a sour turn after Harry lobbed vile allegations against the Prince of Wales in his memoir Spare - and they are said to have not been in direct contact since the 2023 release. In the book, he claimed William had physically attacked him and knocked him to the floor in 2019 and made insulting comments about Meghan. The Sussexes had also targeted Princess Kate, when Meghan claimed the royal made her cry. The bitter feud was ignited when the Sussexes told Oprah, in their 2021 sit down interview, that certain members of the Royal Family had speculated about Prince Archie's skin colour. It was later claimed the royals were Princess Kate and King Charles, after Harry and Meghan's former pal Omid Scobie published his hatchet-job book Endgame. During the infamous Oprah interview, the duchess also made stinging comments about the Firm and how they handled her mental health struggles. Prince William and Harry's bond then worsened after the Sussexes made a number of accusations against the Royal Family in their 2022 Netflix docuseries. The duke has given subsequent interviews, such as his most BBC chat in May 2025, that have only propelled bad blood.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How Harry and Meghan left the late Queen 'very upset' in the run up to their wedding as rows that 'blew the Prince's relationship with his grandmother' are revealed for the first time
Prince Harry 'blew' his relationship with Queen Elizabeth II as he prepared to marry Meghan Markle, who also upset the monarch by refusing to reveal what her wedding dress looked like, it was claimed today. Her Majesty was said to have been 'very worried' about her 'besotted and weak' grandson and became aggrieved about some of their decisions about the ceremony at Windsor in May 2018. The Queen apparently confided in her first cousin that Harry was 'rude to her for ten minutes' in one meeting and that 'Meghan and William and Kate are not working well', 'particularly... the two girls'. The 'jury was out' on whether the Queen really liked her grandson's then bride-to-be, it was claimed today, and she felt 'left out' of the planning for the wedding by Harry who tried to 'patch up' their relationship in the weeks before walking down the aisle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's up and down relationship with the late Queen after their engagement has been revealed through the words of Her Majesty's late cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson. Born in Windsor Castle, Lady Elizabeth, a great-niece of the Queen Mother and a goddaughter of King George VI, was a high-society party planner known as Liza to friends. She died five years ago at the age of 79 and was the Queen's confidante later in life, affectionately calling the monarch 'Jemima' and her 'Number One Lady'. Journalist and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has revealed her discussions with Liza after Meghan moved to the UK in her Substack 'Royal Extras'. Ms Bedell Smith has revealed what Liza claimed Queen Elizabeth II herself thought of the Sussexes and their behaviour. Meghan was apparently 'full of charm' and appeared 'natural, intelligent, and thoughtful' after she became engaged to Harry in 2017. But as the wedding approached, Meghan allegedly became increasingly 'bossy' and Liza said the Queen was privately 'very worried'. Ms Bedell Smith wrote: 'When we spoke two weeks before the May 19 wedding, Liza had just heard from the Queen. 'The Number One Lady—I call her Jemima—says the jury is out on whether she likes Meghan,' said Liza. 'My Jemima is very worried.' In Liza's view, 'Harry is besotted and weak about women. We hope but don't quite think she is in love. We think she engineered it all.' Liza apparently said: 'It's worrying that so many people are questioning whether Meghan is right for Harry. The problem, bless his heart, is that Harry is neither bright nor strong, and she is both'. The cracks apparently appeared in February 2018. Liza claimed Harry wrote to her and said that his grandmother was 'content' with the way the wedding plans were coming along. But Sally Bedell Smith wrote that Liza had said: 'When I spoke with the Queen, she said she is not at all content'. Ms Bedell Smith wrote: 'According to Liza, the Queen was dismayed that Harry had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to perform the wedding service in St. George's Chapel without first requesting permission from the Dean of Windsor. 'Harry seems to think the Queen can do what she wants, but she can't,' said Liza. 'On the religious side, it is the Dean of Windsor's jurisdiction.' As a result, Liza said that 'Harry has blown his relationship with his grandmother. She said she was really upset. I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened. I had no idea about the conversation, that he was rude to her for ten minutes. They had tea with her the day before yesterday. She was trying to find out about the wedding dress, and Meghan wouldn't tell her.'.' Following these February rows, towards the end of April, Liza claimed that 'the Queen and Harry have patched things up'. Harry apparently visited her alone to smooth things over and later wrote to with more wedding details. Sally Bedell Smith wrote: 'Liza also said that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, was 'frightened of coming to the wedding.' I asked her if Meghan was being bossy. 'So I gather,' Liza replied, 'Very much so.' 'My Jemima is very worried', Liza apparently added. She also said ominously: 'The wedge between the brothers is really too bad'. Thomas Markle did not attend the wedding due to health problems. Harry's father walked her down the aisle. Meghan threw herself into royal duties with her husband and then fell pregnant. Sally Bedell Smith wrote on her Substack: 'By late February 2019 when Liza and I spoke on the phone, she said 'I don't trust Meghan an inch. To begin with, she was not bad—a straightforward starlet, used to public speaking and charity work. The wedge between the brothers is really too bad.'.' At that time the Queen would visit her cousin for dinner at her London home but an increasingly frail Prince Philip would stay at home. Liza became ill with lung cancer but continued to work despite breathing problems and spent time with the Queen, who made her a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order - an honour only given to those who have given outstanding personal service to a British monarch. She died in November 2020. MailOnline has asked a spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to comment. Lady Elizabeth Anson was born at Windsor Castle during World War II and with King George VI as a godfather, she grew up surrounded by, and on first name terms with, the royals. Lady Elizabeth was also royally connected (her mother, a Bowes-Lyon, was a niece of the Queen Mother) but she was also one of the Queen's closest friends. When she married, the then 20-year-old Princess Anne was a bridesmaid, and her society cameraman brother Patrick (the Earl of) Lichfield, who gave her away, was — along with the Earl of Snowdon — the royals' go-to photographer. For almost 60 years she presided over London's party scene with a ruthless efficiency. From royalty to celebrity her business, Party Planners, organised the capital's best and most lavish celebrations. She first decided to be a party planner when she was 17. She was working as a receptionist at the Hyde Park Hotel in London, but she fell down a flight of stairs and injured herself. The fall meant she needed to find a job that would enable her to work from home, and was inspired at having to organise her own debutante party when she realised she could make a living from planning celebrations. Her first event was for the late Queen Mother. 'She was hosting a party for one of her godchildren,' Lady Elizabeth previously told Mail on Sunday. 'I remember charging very little and receiving a letter from the Queen Mother telling me to double the invoice.' She hosted bashes for everyone from Baroness Thatcher and Sir Mick Jagger, to Tom Cruise and Bill Clinton. Weddings were a speciality: there was pop star Sting's to Trudie Styler to the slightly more reserved nuptials for Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece (to heiress Chantal Miller). When Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011, the Queen asked her to organise a party for all the visiting royal guests. By then she was a veteran of royal party planning. No palace event, it seemed, was complete without input from Lady Elizabeth. She arranged the Queen's 80th birthday party and that to mark the 50th anniversary of her coronation. In April 2021, the Queen made Lady Elizabeth a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order as a sign of her personal esteem.
