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Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has said her latest venture is all about celebration
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has said her latest venture is all about celebration. The mum-of-two, 43, has been busy launching products under her As Ever brand label, and she made the remarks as she unveiled a new $30-a-bottle Rosé from California's Napa Valley. Meghan told fans: 'This blend captures the essence of celebration, inviting wine lovers to toast all the moments that matter most – both big and small.' The duchess launched her 2023 Napa Valley Rosé through a new wine section of her lifestyle brand's website, It is being sold at $30 (£21) per bottle, with discounts for larger purchases — a three-pack for $90 (£65), a half case for $159 (£115), or a full case for $300 (£218). Meghan is also preparing to release a sparkling wine under the same As Ever label. The wine is described on the site as 'a pale blush wine' that offers 'roundness and depth of flavour', with 'gentle minerality and soft notes of stone fruit with a lasting finish'. The bottle contains an 'As Ever blend' of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah grapes, which the site says creates a 'sophisticated, dry, and refreshing' flavour designed for 'summer's best moments – from lunches that turn into dinners and sun-drenched weekends where the only thing louder than the music is the laughter'. Meghan's return to the business world comes amid renewed speculation around her and Prince Harry, 40, potentially seeking a path back to the royal family. The couple stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and now reside in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But notes newly published by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith have shed further light on the reaction of Queen Elizabeth II to the couple's departure — often referred to as 'Megxit'. In one passage, the Queen, who died in September 2022, reportedly told her cousin and confidante Lady Elizabeth Anson she was 'not at all content'. According to Bedell Smith's Extra Substack blog, Lady Elizabeth, who died in 2020 aged 79, told her: 'Harry was rude to (the Queen) for 10 minutes.' The notes also describe tensions leading up to Meghan and Harry's 2018 wedding. Meghan, it is said, would not reveal details about her dress to the Queen. Lady Elizabeth reportedly told the biographer: 'Meghan wouldn't tell her Queen Elizabeth II about the wedding dress.' The dress, a Givenchy design with a bateau neckline and three-quarter sleeves, was ultimately viewed by the Queen as 'flamboyant' and, according to the notes, she felt it was 'not fit for a divorcee'. Meghan had previously been married to film producer Trevor Engelson. Lady Elizabeth also told Bedell Smith: 'The jury (was) out on whether she likes Meghan.' The Queen, according to the interview, was 'so saddened' by the Sussexes' decision to leave royal life behind, the biographer wrote.
Wales Online
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Queen's brutal take on Meghan Markle laid bare in explosive new memoirs
Queen's brutal take on Meghan Markle laid bare in explosive new memoirs Her Majesty was said to be 'not at all happy' with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back from royal duties and move to the US Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Image: Getty Images ) Extraordinary new insights have been revealed amid Queen Elizabeth II's thoughts on the "Megxit" saga, according to recently disclosed notes. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith had conducted interviews with Lady Elizabeth, who was known as the late Queen's confidante, and excerpts from these conversations have surfaced on Smith's blog, Extra Substack. One excerpt reveals: "She (Queen Elizabeth II) said she was not at all content." Another indicates: "Harry was rude to her for ten minutes." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Tensions also arose during the preparations for Harry and Meghan's 2018 nuptials. Reports suggest that the Duchess of Sussex kept details of her Givenchy wedding gown, which boasted an open bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves, from the Queen, reports the Mirror. The monarch later deemed the dress "flamboyant" and inappropriate for a divorcee, given Meghan's previous marriage to Trevor Engelson. Smith's notes include Lady Elizabeth's account: "Meghan wouldn't tell her (Queen Elizabeth II) about the wedding dress". Article continues below Lady Elizabeth, a renowned party planner, expressed uncertainty over the Queen's opinion of Meghan, stating: "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan." The narrative further explores the tension surrounding "Megxit," a term coined for Harry and Meghan's move to the US. The Royal author reveals that this situation deeply upset the Queen, as relayed by Lady Elizabeth. Speaking to Ms Smith, Lady Elizabeth said: "I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned their wedding gifts due to little-known rule Until her passing in November 2020 at the age of 79, Lady Elizabeth often served as a confidante for the Queen. Her conversation with Ms Smith took place during her final months, shortly after the Duke and Duchess stepped back from their Royal duties to start a new life in America. However, recent signs suggest that the couple might be considering a return to Royal life. One such indication - the use of the titles HRH (His /Her Royal Highness) and the surname Sussex on passport applications for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - left Royal insiders "utterly bewildered" last month. Richard Eden, a Royal correspondent for the Daily Mail, noted: "The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they're hoping to mend fences." He added: "And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?". Article continues below
Edinburgh Live
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Queen Elizabeth II's bombshell take on Meghan Markle exposed in new memoirs
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Recently unearthed notes have revealed Queen Elizabeth II's displeasure with the "Megxit" situation, according to newly released insights. These revelations come from conversations between Her late Majesty and Lady Elizabeth Anson, her cousin and trusted confidante, regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from Royal duties in favour of a new life in California in 2020. Royal author Sally Bedell Smith had spoken to Lady Elizabeth, and her notes from that interview just surfaced on her Extra Substack blog. They include a stark admission: "She (Queen Elizabeth II) said she was not at all content" alongside another telling note: "Harry was rude to her for ten minutes." The notes divulge that there was tension surrounding the Royal wedding in 2018, particularly concerning the Duchess of Sussex's choice of a Givenchy dress with an open bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. The disclosed information suggests the Queen found the dress "flamboyant" and perhaps unsuitable for Meghan, who, before marrying Prince Harry, had been wed to Trevor Engelson, reports the Mirror. In the explosive notes accessed by Ms Smith, it is cited that Lady Elizabeth revealed: "Meghan wouldn't tell her (Queen Elizabeth II) about the wedding dress". Additionally, Anson, a renowned party planner in her own right, was quoted saying about the Queen's opinion on Meghan: "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan." The narrative then delves into the tension surrounding "Megxit," the term coined for Harry and Meghan's move to the US. The Royal writer suggests that this situation deeply upset Prince Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Lady Elizabeth relayed to Ms Smith: "I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened." Until her passing in November 2020 at the age of 79, Lady Elizabeth often served as a confidante for the Queen. Her conversation with Ms Smith took place during her final months, shortly after the Duke and Duchess had stepped down from their Royal duties to start a new life in the US. However, recent signs suggest that the couple may be considering a return to Royal life. One such indication - the use of the titles HRH (His /Her Royal Highness) and the surname Sussex on passport applications for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - left Royal insiders "utterly bewildered" last month. Richard Eden, a Royal correspondent for the Daily Mail, however, interpreted this differently, writing: "The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they're hoping to mend fences." He further speculated: "And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?"
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Queen Elizabeth II take on Meghan Markle laid bare in telling new memoirs
The late monarch often confided in her cousin and trusted aide Lady Elizabeth Anson about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Extraordinary new notes have revealed that Queen Elizabeth II"was not at all content" with the "Megxit" debacle. The late monarch often confided in her cousin and trusted aide Lady Elizabeth Anson about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. As reported by the Mirror, the explosive disclosures have now been made public - and they shed a fascinating light on the late Queen's views on the couple, who quit royal duties for a new life in California in 2020. As part of the writer's blog called Extra Substack, Sally Bedell Smith, a royal biographer, had interviewed Lady Elizabeth and subsequent notes are now online. One passage reads: "She (Queen Elizabeth II) said she was not at all content." Another says: "Harry was rude to her for ten minutes." There was also friction around Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, as it's understood the Duchess of Sussex "wouldn't tell" the Queen anything about her dress, a Givenchy number which featured an open bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. It is said the late Queen eventually found the dress "flamboyant" and thought it wasn't fit for a divorcee. Meghan had been married to Trevor Engelson before her relationship with Prince Harry. In Ms Smith's newly released notes, she said Lady Elizabeth told her: "Meghan wouldn't tell her (Queen Elizabeth II) about the wedding dress". The Queen's cousin, who was a party planner, also declared: "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan." The sequence goes onto detail the tension around "Megxit," the term used for Harry and Meghan's departure to the US. The situation left Prince Harry's grandmother upset, according to the royal writer. Lady Elizabeth told Ms Smith: "I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened." The Queen regularly used Lady Elizabeth as a sounding board until the latter's death in November 2020, aged 79. Her interview with Ms Smith came in her final months, shortly after the Duke and Duchess quit royal duties for their new life in the US. In recent weeks, however, there have been hints the couple may be eyeing a return to the royal fold. One of these - the inclusion of the titles HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) as well as the surname Sussex on passport applications for little Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - did, though, leave royal sources "utterly bewildered" last month. Yet, Richard Eden, a royal reporter with the Daily Mail, wrote: "The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they're hoping to mend fences. And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?"
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Queen Elizabeth II's take on Meghan Markle laid bare in telling new memoirs
Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 to her death in 2022, wanted to know about Meghan Markle's wedding address ahead of the ceremony with Prince Harry - but Meghan didn't tell her anything Queen Elizabeth II"was not at all content" with the "Megxit" debacle, extraordinary new notes reveal. The late monarch often confided in Lady Elizabeth Anson, her cousin and trusted aide, about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The explosive disclosures have now been made public and shed a fascinating light on the late Queen's views on the couple, who quit royal duties for a new life in Calfornia in 2020. Sally Bedell Smith, a royal biographer, had interviewed Lady Elizabeth and subsequent notes are now online, as part of the writer's blog called Extra Substack. One passage reads: "She (Queen Elizabeth II) said she was not at all content." Another says: "Harry was rude to her for ten minutes." There was also friction around Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018. It is understood the Duchess of Sussex "wouldn't tell" the Queen anything about her dress, a Givenchy number which featured an open bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. It is said the late Queen eventually found the dress "flamboyant" and thought it wasn't fit for a divorcee. Before her relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan had been married to Trevor Engelson. In Ms Smith's newly released notes, she said Lady Elizabeth told her: "Meghan wouldn't tell her (Queen Elizabeth II) about the wedding dress". The Queen's cousin, who was a party planner, also declared: "The jury [was] out on whether she likes Meghan." The sequence goes onto detail the tension around "Megxit," the term used for Harry and Meghan's departure to the US. The situation left Prince Harry's grandmother upset, according to the royal writer. Lady Elizabeth told Ms Smith: "I was shocked when the Queen told me this, how she was so saddened." The Queen regularly used Lady Elizabeth as a sounding board until the latter's death in November 2020, aged 79. Her interview with Ms Smith came in her final months, shortly after the Duke and Duchess quit royal duties for their new life in the US. But in recent weeks, there have been hints the couple may be eyeing a return to the royal fold. One of these - the inclusion of the titles HRH (His /Her Royal Highness) as well as the surname Sussex on passport applications for little Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - did, though, leave royal sources "utterly bewildered" last month. Yet, Richard Eden, a royal reporter with the Daily Mail, wrote: "The suggestion gives the biggest hint yet that they're hoping to mend fences. "And it raises the question: Could the Sussexes, who chose to give up boring old public duties to seek their fortune in the US, stage a return to the royal fold via their children?"
