The Royal Family were stunned when Prince Harry publicly voiced his ‘great sadness’ that he’d been forced to quit his royal duties.
But one couple were even more surprised.
The Duke of Sussex gave his impassioned address at what was meant to be an intimate dinner for 100 at the Ivy Garden Chelsea, hosted by the restaurant’s billionaire owners Richard Caring and his wife, Patricia.
The Royal Family were stunned when Prince Harry publicly voiced his ‘great sadness’ that he’d been forced to quit his royal duties at an intimate dinner at the Ivy Garden Chelsea hosted by the restaurant’s billionaire owners Richard Caring and his wife, Patricia (pictured together)
It was held in partnership with Harry’s Sentebale charity.
‘What was supposed to be a small dinner for close friends to launch our Caring Foundation has turned into a global news story,’ Patricia tells me.
‘It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind, but we raised over £500,000 on the night.
‘It really is wonderful, as that goes straight to helping women and children in crisis situations.’
Meghan Markle wants to become more ‘politically engaged’ and could even intervene in the U.S. presidential election
With courtiers already alarmed at how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to cash in on their royal connections, this will have them reaching for the smelling salts.
I hear that Meghan plans to become more ‘politically engaged’ now that she and Prince Harry have quit official duties.
‘The Duchess is said to be frustrated that she was forced to stay out of politics after getting engaged to Harry,’ a royal source tells me.
‘She has strong political opinions and will now take advantage of the greater freedom she has to express them publicly.’
Meghan Markle wants to become more ‘politically engaged’ and could even intervene in the U.S. presidential election. Pictured: President Barack Obama and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in 2017
The source claims that Meghan may even make some sort of intervention in the U.S. presidential election later this year.
Before she met Harry, the American actress attacked Donald Trump for being ‘divisive’ and ‘misogynistic’.
While the Duchess no longer needs to adhere to the convention that the royals stay above party politics, she could still provoke a diplomatic storm if she chose to renew her attacks on Trump or become involved in politics in Canada, where she and Harry are now living with baby Archie.
Meghan is a close friend of Jessica Mulroney, the daughter-in-law of Canada’s former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
She is also pals with Canada’s current PM, the Liberal Party’s Justin Trudeau.
The Duke and Duchess have formed a close bond with Barack and Michelle Obama, while their communications secretary, Sara Latham, previously worked for Trump’s sworn rival Hillary Clinton.
While the Duchess no longer needs to adhere to the convention that the royals stay above party politics, she could still provoke a diplomatic storm if she chose to renew her attacks on Trump
In 2018, it was claimed that Meghan had once told a close associate that her ultimate ambition was to be president of the U.S. The conversation apparently took place after Meghan began her romance with Harry.
‘Meghan was quite clear that she wanted to be president one day,’ the source claimed.
Three years earlier, she reportedly told the journalist Piers Morgan that she had not always sought showbusiness success.
‘As a kid, I wanted to be either the president or a news broadcaster like you,’ she told him.
Meghan retained her U.S. passport after applying for British nationality, as dual citizenship is permitted.
Meghan retained her U.S. passport after applying for British nationality, as dual citizenship is permitted
Former Times editor Sir Simon Jenkins has said: ‘Her friends and associates affirm that she is a political animal. Such is her fame, she could perfectly well follow a route taken by a certain Ronald Reagan. She might lead for the Democrats against a Republican Ivanka Trump. All I can say is, why not?’
Meghan’s spokeswoman declines to comment. However, a source close to the Duchess dismisses the claims that she will become more politically active as mere ‘gossip’.
However, just weeks ago those same sources would have dismissed out of hand suggestions that Harry and Meghan would ever quit the Firm to pursue their own commercial projects.
Gardener Alan Titchmarsh claims that when he collected his MBE from the Queen, she told him: ‘You give a lot of ladies a lot of pleasure.’
Now, he’s found a new way to charm them. He’s written his first book of poetry — Marigolds, Myrtle And Moles: A Gardener’s Bedside Book — to be published in March.
‘It’s verses about plants, flowers and gardening,’ Titch tells me.
‘Some funny, one or two that I hope are touching, others that are amusing.’
The television personality, who is going on tour with his show, An Evening With Alan Titchmarsh… Tales From My Life On Earth, adds: ‘I write them at home in the barn.’
I’m sure they’ll grow on us.
Romance ends Erleigh for Viscount and model
Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin was wooed by Prince Harry before she found love with his friend Viscount Erleigh, heir to the Marquess of Reading.
Sadly, I hear that investment banker Julian Erleigh, 33, has now split up with Harley Street nutritionist Sarah Ann, 30.
‘It started off really well, but it just didn’t go the distance,’ a pal confirms.
Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin was wooed by Prince Harry before she found love with his friend Viscount Erleigh, heir to the Marquess of Reading (pictured together)
‘There are no hard feelings — it was all very amicable.’
Julian was introduced to Sarah Ann two years ago by his older sister, the fashion designer and girl-about-town Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, who also played cupid to Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy back in 2004.
It was always going to be a challenge, however, for Julian to measure up to Sarah Ann’s ex, M&S advert hunk David Gandy.
(Very) modern manners
Paid more than £15million a year as a Facebook executive, Nick Clegg should be singing the praises of the internet. Instead, he’s alarmed by the amount of time his children spend online.
‘Just like all kids, they spend far too much time on their screens,’ the former deputy prime minister admits. Clegg has three sons with his Spanish-born wife, Miriam: Miguel, Antonio and Alberto.
‘We, on the whole, believe in trying to constantly educate them about what is great about the technology, but also what is not so great. They are going to grow up and stand on their own two feet, so they’ve got to just learn.’
At least they can always rely on the bank of mum and dad…
How old-fashioned Forte fiance won over dad Rocco
Hotels tycoon Sir Rocco Forte is delighted his daughter Irene is to marry a man with old-fashioned values.
She’s got engaged to technology entrepreneur Felix Winckler. Her father tells me: ‘Felix rang me last week to ask my permission to propose to her.’
Speaking at a family dinner at Charlie’s, his new restaurant at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, Sir Rocco adds: ‘Of course, I agreed — Felix is a good chap.’
Hotels tycoon Sir Rocco Forte is delighted his daughter Irene (pictured) is to marry a man with old-fashioned values
It’ll be one of the society weddings of the year.
Oxford graduate Irene, 31, who works for her family’s £355million empire and has her own skincare range, counts Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie among her close friends, plus Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriends Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.
Felix, 39, is the son of a leading Brussels lawyer and no stranger to society romances, having previously courted Princess Caroline of Monaco’s daughter Charlotte Casiraghi.