Harry and Meghan mania
The princess bride has a new admirer
The Queen’s a big fan too!
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out in Birmingham to mark International Women’s Day, the crowd went wild. Flags waved furiously, the cheers were deafening, and young girls pleaded for hugs and selfies from their new heroine.
And the former Suits star – in a trendy J. Crew coat and cropped Alexander Wang trousers – hit all the right notes with royal fans. Aspiring thespian Sophia Richards, 10, gushes, “Meghan told me I can achieve whatever I want to achieve. She would like to see me on TV when I become an actress. It was a dream come true. I will never forget this day.”
It’s clear from the reaction to last week’s walkabout that Meghan, 36, has reinvigorated the royal family, as did the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana before her. And for this very reason, the Queen loves her almost as much as the crowds.
When news first broke that Harry, 33, was dating a divorced, biracial Californian actress, speculation ran rife that the 91-year-old monarch might not react positively to her beloved grandson’s choice of partner. But palace insiders tell
Woman’sDay that Her Majesty
has truly opened her heart to Meghan, welcoming her into the royal fold and telling aides her future granddaughter-in-law is a “breath of fresh air”. And over the past few months, the pair have enjoyed a string of intimate meetings at Buckingham Palace.
“The Queen makes no secret of the fact that she absolutely adores Meghan,” discloses one well-placed source. “They’ve developed a special bond, and she loves her poise, confidence and charm – not to mention her strong social conscience and work ethic.”
Like many royal watchers, the Queen was delighted to see Meghan and Harry team up with Kate, 36, and Prince William, 35, recently for a joint engagement.
“It’s very clear to see that this foursome is the future of the royal family and it brings the Queen great joy that the monarchy is in great hands,” reports our source. “She wants Kate and Meghan in particular to be agents for change and to use their positions to do real good.”
According to another insider, the Queen has extended her warmth to Meghan’s family too, with her parents Doria and Thomas expected in London this week for final wedding preparations.
Diary of dates
With just nine weeks to go until the big day, Meghan is keen to involve them as much as possible in the wedding plans, including taking her mother to dress fittings and hosting a rehearsal at Windsor Castle, where the May 19 nuptials will be held.
Raised a Protestant, educated at a Catholic school and once married to a Jewish man, Meghan was last week baptised and confirmed into the Anglican Church in a 45-minute ceremony attended by Harry, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
This week, the bride-to-be will introduce her parents to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who performed the baptism and will officiate at her wedding, before meeting with lawyers to work on a prenuptial agreement. “The details are closely guarded, but it’s a standard procedure when a newcomer joins the royal family,” tells the insider.
Generously, the Queen has arranged a welcome dinner for Meghan’s parents at Buckingham Palace so they can get to know the royal family. “And given it will be the first time Harry meets his future father-in-law, he’s planned a bonding day for the two of them,” tells our insider. “They’ll play golf and
take him for lunch at one of his favourite country pubs.”
Meanwhile, after missing out on a three-day retreat at a Cotswolds spa with Meghan’s girlfriends, Doria will be a VIP guest at her daughter’s official hen’s do.
“Meghan’s incredibly excited about her parents’ visit,” says one insider. “She hopes that meeting the family and spending time with Harry will make them feel more at ease ahead of the wedding so they’re able to relax and enjoy the celebrations. She’s so touched that the Queen seems so welcoming to them, despite coming from such different backgrounds.”
A friend adds, “Meghan is so incredibly grateful for the Queen’s kindness and openness. While many people would be daunted at the prospect of joining the royal family, Meghan says she’s feeling nothing but excitement. She feels so privileged and just can’t wait to marry her prince.”