He has acknowledged that he and his older brother are ‘on different paths’ — and Prince Harry, I can disclose, is staying true to his word.
For yesterday, Sussex Royal, the foundation which he and Meghan established on July 1, published the full list of the countries where it intends to operate.
And it named all 53 Commonwealth nations, from Australia and Canada to Kiribati — a speck of land marooned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, visit a Justice Desk initiative in Nyanga, South Africa in September
‘Their Royal Highnesses have both been inspired by the people and organisations they have met throughout the Commonwealth,’ a spokesman for the foundation tells me.
‘Especially young people, whether on tour, through events like Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meetings, or organisations such as the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy and The Queen’s Young Leaders.
‘They believe the Commonwealth can play a significant role in solving the social and environmental issues the world faces, and will therefore be an important part of their work through Sussex Royal.’
Sussex Royal, the foundation which Harry and Meghan established on July 1, has published the full list of the countries where it intends to operate – including all 53 Commonwealth countries
The unequivocal statement of intent demonstrates the scale of the Sussexes’ ambition as well as the commitment that Meghan vividly illustrated at the couple’s wedding, when her veil was embroidered with one wildflower from each Commonwealth country — plus one for her home state of California and another representing Nottingham Cottage, her first home with Harry.
The Royal Foundation, which William (left with the Duchess of Cambridge) and Harry established a decade ago, simply says it operates in ‘England and Wales’
By contrast, the Royal Foundation, which William and Harry established a decade ago and from which Harry and Meghan diverged their own activities earlier this year, adheres to the understated style which has become the hallmark of William and Kate’s endeavours.
Rather than providing a full list of countries, it simply says that it operates in ‘England and Wales’, though further explaining that, in practice, also ‘overseas’.
Indeed, some of its conservation projects are in southern and eastern Africa, as well as in India — so it seems that the brothers’ paths, though differing, will periodically cross in the years ahead.
No matter how many countries the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cite as their sphere of operation, the person who wields the real power is, of course, a future King of England.
Strictly? I’m far too competitive, says Bond star
Before she sizzled as Miss Moneypenny in a slew of Bond films, Samantha Bond always dreamed of becoming a ballerina.
But despite being light on her feet, the 57-year-old tells me that she’d never compete on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
‘The problem is that I’d be hatefully competitive and I don’t think that would actually work very well on the show.’
Crumbs! They made Erin into a cake (with a biscuit bottom)
Vogue cover star Erin O’Connor turned heads when she walked on the catwalk wearing a pink and red tulle grown earlier this year.
Now she reveals her Schiaparelli dress has been turned into an edible experience at The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge.
‘I’ve been morphed into a delicious cake,’ the 41-year-old mother-of-two tells me.
Vogue cover star Erin O’Connor turned heads when she walked on the catwalk wearing a pink and red tulle grown this year (left), which has been turned into an edible experience (right)
‘I’ve done some crazy, curious things during my career but this! It’s an incredible honour.’
The red plum mousse, aka Erin’s Schiaparelli cake, is set on sponge and topped with meringue.
Speaking at a party in Mayfair, she tells me: ‘I’ve tried it and it was surprisingly light and very delicious and it had a biscuit at the bottom, which is always quite nice.’
Philip Glenister, star of new ITV series, Belgravia, Julian Fellowes’s Downton Abbey follow-up set in 1840s high-society London, insists he is nothing like Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham in the Edwardian costume drama.
‘I’m not playing a lord, I’m nouveau riche,’ Glenister tells me. ‘I don’t play lords. I play the man that built Belgravia.
‘I’m not the Hugh Bonneville of Belgravia, he’s much posher than me, he’s from Sussex whereas I’m a North London lad.’
Fight!
How Lady Amelia stays streets ahead of rivals
SOLO STAR: Lady Amelia Windsor stole the show at the Louis Vuitton Maison relaunch party in New Bond Street.
‘I don’t have a specific style. If I like someone in the street’s clothing, I always say, ‘You look amazing.’
‘Always compliment someone if you can.’
Lady Amelia Windsor (left) stole the show at the Louis Vuitton Maison relaunch party in New Bond Street, while Kylie (right) dazzled at the after-party at Annabel’s
DOUBLE ACT: Yasmin Le Bon and daughter Amber. ‘As I grow older I try to wear less safe clothes,’
Yasmin, 54, tells me. ‘At my age the last thing I want to do is look safe.’
PLOTTING? The Marquess of Cholmondeley’s wife Rose Hanbury was avidly talking to LOVE magazine editor Katie Grand, who once convinced Liz Hurley to pose nude.
SPOTLIGHT: Kylie Minogue dazzled at the after-party at Annabel’s, singing Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
Many celebrities complain about the hardship of living in the public eye.
But not Poirot actor David Suchet.
He tells me: ‘I’m extremely grateful for my career. Without fame and success, I would never have been able to do so many wonderful roles.’
Speaking at his photography exhibition, Behind The Lens, in aid of the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, the 73-year-old adds: ‘At my age I’d be at home watching the telly.
‘I’m so, so lucky for the exposure I get and I’d never bite the hands that feed me.’