Royal news - live: Meghan Markle branded ‘delusional’ in David Beckham book as ‘homesick’ Harry eyes UK home
The Princess of Wales hopes to attend more events this summer
Meghan Markle has been branded “delusional” in an explosive new biography of the Beckhams amid claims that a “homesick” Prince Harry is looking for a new UK home.
According to Tom Bower, the Duchess of Sussex “put on airs” around Victoria Beckham as she believed her place within the royal family socially put her above the former Spice Girl.
“In Meghan’s celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame,” Bower wrote in the soon-to-be-released House of Beckham.
“As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order.
“She was irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself.”
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is reportedly “homesick” and searching for a new residence in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex last visited the UK alone in May on a visit that saw him celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.
He reportedly stayed in a London hotel on the visit after he and Meghan Markle officially vacated their UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, last June.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digitial: “I hear that Harry is both content with his new lifestyle and homesick. It just depends on the day.”
Harry and Meghan’s reaction to Father’s Day
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not acknowledge Father’s Day on their online platform.
This comes after King Charles failed to meet his youngest son on his recent trip to the UK, even though the pair have not seen each other since February.
Prince William, meanwhile, chose to acknowledge the event and posted a throwback picture of himself and the now-Monarch on 16 June, which notably did not include Prince Harry.
He simply wrote: “Happy Father’s Day, Pa. W.”
Happy Father’s Day, Pa. W pic.twitter.com/pjGuB2iLQ1
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 16, 2024
Lady Gabriella Windsor makes first appearance since Thomas Kingston’s death
Lady Gabriella Windsor has made her first public appearance at Royal Ascot since her husband Thomas Kingston’s death in February.
He was found dead at the age of just 45 at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds with a “traumatic head injury”.
Brave Lady Gabriella, 43, smiled as she joined the event’s carriage procession for the first time this afternoon and rode alongside Princess Anne.
![Lady Gabriella lost her husband Thomas in February.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/18/16/2158106207.jpg)
![Today marks the first time she has joined the royal carriage procession.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/18/16/2157583490.jpg)
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Royal Ascot
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the first day of Royal Ascot this afternoon in a carriage.
The pair were all smiles as they greeted visitors ahead of the first race, with their arrival marking the start of the 2024 event.
![The pair have several horses competing in the event.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/18/14/2158108582.jpg)
![The couple were all smiles for visitors.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/18/14/2158109334.jpg)
King Charles and Queen Camilla wish Ascot racegoers the best of luck
King Charles and Queen Camilla have extended their good wishes to racegoers on the first day of Royal Ascot.
The couple jointly wrote in the official programme: “It gave us immense pleasure and joy to witness Desert Hero’s victory in the King George V Stakes last year, particularly as he was bred by Her late Majesty.
“We wish all the participants this week the very best of luck in seeking that unique thrill of a Royal Ascot winner.
“We also hope that those here at the racecourse and watching from home will enjoy five days of the finest racing that this sport has to offer.”
![Charles and Camilla at the 2023 Royal Ascot](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/06/22/16/Britain_Royal_Ascot_60373.jpg)
Piers Morgan under fire for ‘insensitive’ Kate Middleton comments
Piers Morgan has been slammed for commenting on Kate Middleton’s appearance after she stepped out in public for the first time this year.
Describing her as “pretty thin”, the outspoken host, who also suggested that she and King Charles should reveal the type of cancer they are suffering from, was criticised by many online.
Reacting to the host’s controversial comments on YouTube, one viewer wrote: “[Piers] they do not have to tell you what type of cancer at all. They didn’t even have to tell you they have cancer. She has always been thin.
“The king already stated he had a prostate treatment which is very private. Average people don’t have the scrutiny that Catherine deals with.” [sic]
![Piers Morgan has been slammed for his comments on the Princess of Wales’s return (James Manning/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/17/14/d1354558f18d1ff66c5b7e45e2a51a78Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE4NzEyMTY4-2.75292532.jpg)
When is Kate Middleton’s next public appearance?
The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance of 2024 at the King’s official birthday parade on Saturday.
When announcing her intention to attend, Kate, who was last seen in public on Christmas Day last year, said that she hopes “to join a few public engagements over the summer.”
As the Princess is still receiving treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, it appears that these will be decided on a case-by-case basis as she was not present at yesterday’s Order of the Garter service.
Explaining her current situation in a statement, she wrote: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.
“On those bad days, you feel weak, tired, and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
![Prince William and Kate smile at their youngest son Prince Louis at the 2024 Trooping the Colour](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/15/13/01J0DXS61KFZ9ZFN8Z3GB6MCZ0.jpg)
King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘likely’ to attend Royal Ascot
Today marks the start of the 2024 Royal Ascot and King Charles and Queen Camilla have several horses running.
The pair are “likely” to attend the popular event which spans five days, PA reports, after the Monarch returned to work in April amid his ongoing cancer battle.
![King Charles has been incredibly busy since he returned to work in April and yesterday attended the Order of the Garter ceremony](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/17/16/01J0KBWRDDMZZ675HJQN3QYYPG.jpg)
Prince Harry absent from Prince William’s Father’s Day post
Prince William shared a heartfelt Father’s Day post in celebration of King Charles and the absence of Prince Harry in the picture did not go unnoticed.
This comes amid tense relations between the Duke of Sussex and his immediate family, which are seemingly so strained that he saw none of them on his recent trip to the UK.
“Happy Father’s Day, Pa. W,” the Prince of Wales wrote on Twitter (X) alongside a picture of just himself and his father.
Reacting to Harry’s absence from the picture on Lorraine, royal expert Russell Myers said it could suggest that relations between the brothers are worse than ever.
Happy Father’s Day, Pa. W pic.twitter.com/pjGuB2iLQ1
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 16, 2024
Cancer charities praise Princess of Wales’s return to public life
Charities have praised the Princess of Wales for stepping back into the public eye amid her cancer battle.
Kate made her first public appearance of the year at the King’s official birthday on Saturday, announcing that she has made significant progress in her treatment on Friday but is “not out of the woods” yet.
She added in the poignant statement that she hopes “to join a few public engagements over the summer.”
A spokesperson for Macmillan Cancer Support said: “It [was] an absolute pleasure to see her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales’ at Trooping the Colour today.
“As her Royal Highness said in her comments [on Friday], cancer treatment can come with both good days and bad days, and I’m sure her attending the event will inspire so many people around the world who are managing the challenging effects of cancer treatment.”
Chief executive of cancer support charity Maggie’s, Dame Laura Lee, similarly added: “By highlighting that there are good days and bad days, the Princess is helping to draw attention and normalise the reality of living with cancer.
“Our experts in our centres can help people navigate how to manage each day at a time and to live with the unexpected, just as the Princess is clearly doing – helping us all understand that cancer is not a straight line or a linear process.”
![The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she made her first public appearance of the year (James Manning/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/15/14/1f1141565f10ebfffccbc2fca59da67bY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE4NTQzODI3-2.76528704.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘very much in love'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “very much in love”, claims the Duchess of Sussex’s Suits co-star.
Wendell Pierce, 60, made the revelation at the 2024 Tony Awards in New York, where he reflected on meeting the couple last year and being struck by their happiness and affection for each other.
He told PEOPLE: “When [Meghan] came into town, she got an award last year, had a chance to say hello and wish she and Prince Harry well and wish the children well.
“They look very much in love and were very happy, so that’s the most important thing.”
![Harry and Meghan tied the knot in 2018 and share two children together](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/06/17/17/meghan%20harry%20dog.jpg)
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