Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in new photo; Queen’s Paddington bears donated to children

The Sussexes appear happy and relaxed in a new photo, as the Paddington bears left in tribute to the late Queen find a new loving home. See photos, video.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear relaxed and happy in a new photo shared by American poet Amanda Gorman.

Gorman, who shot to fame with her history-making performance at Joe Biden's ceremony in January 2021, is appearing on Markle’s latest episode of the Archetypes podcast.

Beyond the Archetype: Human, Being – released on Tuesday, tackles the “power that women possess as changemakers”.

Gorman shared the photo on her Instagram account with the caption: “Beyond thrilled to have had the honor of speaking with The Duchess on her podcast, Archetypes, where I spoke on the power that women possess as changemakers. Thank you so much for having me!”

Amanda Gorman with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: Instagram

It comes as the Sussexes are tipped to skip Christmas in the UK with the royal family for one major reason – they are afraid of the reaction to their Netflix docuseries, which is due for release just before Christmas.

The royals will gather at Sandringham in Norfolk to celebrate the festivities for their first Christmas without the late Queen.

“The Queen’s death means that there won’t be as much pressure to have all of the family together which is good because it seems Harry and Meghan won’t be present,” biographer Angela Levin told The Sun.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expected to turn down the Christmas invite. Picture: Misan Harriman.

The Sussexes are set to discuss other royal relatives including Prince William in their documentary. Picture: AFP.

“I’m sure Catherine and William will be there by the King and Queen’s side for part of the holiday. Harry and Meghan aren't coming, which I think will be a huge relief for the rest of the family.

“The family will want to make it a very positive day after the Queen’s death and I think the Sussexes’ presence would most certainly dampen that.”

Prince Harry and Markle are set to discuss other royal relatives – including the King, the Queen Consort, Camilla and Prince William – in their documentary.

“It’s very interesting that they tried, especially Prince Harry, very hard to get it out after Christmas,” Ms Levin said.

“It makes me feel that they could very well attack the monarchy again and be very nasty about the King despite the fact that he lost his mother.

“Every time you think ‘they can’t get much worse’ they just do and I feel as if that is how the family is feeling also.”

QUEEN’S PADDINGTON BEARS DONATED TO CHILDREN

Thousands of Paddington Bear toys left in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II have now found new homes.

The teddy bears were hand-delivered by Camilla, the Queen Consort, to children at an East London nursery, after they were left by the public at royal residences across the UK following the Queen's death in September.

Camilla, Queen Consort enjoys a marmalade sandwich. Picture: Getty Images.

Joined by Paddington film stars Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, Camilla met dozens of children cared for by the Barnardo’s charity at Bow Nursery.

Karen Jankel, the daughter of Paddington author Michael Bond, who died aged 91 in 2017, also joined Camilla for the gifting.

Camilla, Queen Consort attends a special teddy bears picnic at a Barnardo's Nursery in Bow, in London, England. Picture: Getty Images.

In 2016, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed the patronage of Barnardo's to the then Duchess of Cornwall. Picture: Getty Images.

The Queen consort shared marmalade sandwiches seated beside Bonneville, Harris and Ms Jankel, as 40 children sat cross-legged.

Three-year-old Oscar Isherwood shouted "I don't like marmalade", while others clamoured to receive a bear from the Queen.

Camilla, Queen Consort attends a special teddy bears picnic at a Barnardo's Nursery in Bow in London, England. Picture: Getty Images.

Camilla, Queen Consort with Madeleine Harris and Hugh Bonneville. Picture: Getty Images.

Camilla told the children to place the tiny boots on their Paddington Bears “otherwise he won't be able to go outside”.

Bonneville, who plays Mr Brown in the film, read Bond's story Paddington Takes a Bath to the children, echoing the way their bears had all needed a clean before arriving at the nursery.

As she stood to depart, Camilla told the children and their carers: “It has been a pleasure to find a home for these bears – please look after them carefully.”

Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in new photo; Queen’s Paddington bears donated to children