NewsBite

Updated

Meghan Markle could give birth to daughter ‘any day now’

Meghan Markle has only ever said that she is expecting her second child during the northern summer, but it’s believed the baby girl could arrive sooner than expected.

Queen furious at Prince Charles over Prince Harry rift

Meghan Markle could give birth to her second child “any day now”, royal experts believe.

The heavily pregnant Duchess of Sussex has stayed tight lipped about the due date of her and Prince Harry’s baby daughter, having only said that she is due to arrive in the northern summer, which runs from June to August.

But it has been claimed Meghan could give birth at the end of May.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markel are already parents to two-year-old Archie. Picture: AFP
Prince Harry and Meghan Markel are already parents to two-year-old Archie. Picture: AFP

“The Royalist was always taught summer started in June, but there have also been rumours the baby was due sooner than that, so we think the answer is ‘any day now’,” the Daily Beast wrote in its respected Royalist newsletter.

Meghan and Prince Harry, who are already parents to two-year-old Archie, announced in February that they were expecting a second child. It was also revealed that the Duchess suffered a miscarriage last year.

During their interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in March, Meghan said their baby girl would be arriving “this summer”.

In documentary recently aired in the UK, Meghan’s close friend, author Omid Scobie, hinted the Duchess may give birth a Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.

“There is a lot of speculation about where Harry and Meghan’s daughter might be born,” Scobie said when he appeared on A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown.

“Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles has some of the finest maternity suites in the country.”

Suites at the Centre, located right next to the affluent Beverley Hills neighbourhood, comes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Spending one night in the deluxe maternity suites, which are akin to a five-star hotel room, would set someone back about $A5500.

NEW BBC PROBE

The BBC has announced it will review its editorial policies and governance after an independent report found one of its journalists used deception to secure a landmark interview with Princess Diana.

The British broadcaster’s board said the internal probe would be conducted by a group of non-executive directors led by Nick Serota, its senior independent director, and report back by September.

“We must not just assume that mistakes of the past cannot be repeated today — we must make sure that this is the case,” the board of governors said in a lengthy statement.

“We think it is right that we review the effectiveness of the BBC’s editorial policies and governance in detail,” it added.

An investigation by retired senior judge John Dyson concluded last Thursday that journalist Martin Bashir had tricked Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer into helping to arrange the 1995 interview, in which she spoke candidly about her troubled marriage to Prince Charles.

Mr Bashir commissioned fake bank statements that falsely suggested some of Princess Diana’s closest aides were being paid by the security services to keep tabs on her.

He then showed them to Mr Spencer in a successful bid to earn their trust and land the sensational sit-down.

Judge Dyson’s report also found the BBC’s own internal probes into longstanding allegations of impropriety by Mr Bashir were “woefully ineffective”.

Prince William and Harry, Princess Diana’s two sons, have severely criticised Bashir and the BBC over their conduct, saying his actions contributed to events that led to Diana’s death in a car crash nearly two years after the interview.

Former BBC journalist Martin Bashir. Picture: AFP
Former BBC journalist Martin Bashir. Picture: AFP

But Mr Bashir has defended himself, arguing that Princess Diana was eager to speak out and that he should not be held responsible for “many of the other things that were going on in her life”.

The BBC said its latest review would assess the strength of “day-to-day editorial processes and a clear route by which to handle any specific issues” arising from the damning report.

“The board will look at the culture of the BBC as part of its remit to assess the effectiveness of policies and practice,” it vowed.

“Their work will focus on oversight of the BBC’s editorial practices and will consider in detail the robustness and independence of whistleblowing processes in editorial areas.”

Kate Middleton has joined her husband in Scotland. Picture: AFP
Kate Middleton has joined her husband in Scotland. Picture: AFP

KATE JOINS WILLS IN SCOTLAND

Meanwhile, Kate Middleton has reunited with Prince William in Scotland – just days after Prince Harry released a string of “truth bombs”.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge put on a united front for the first day of their tour in Scotland, reports The Sun.

Kate Middleton beamed in blue as she sat with Prince William during the visit to Turning Point Scotland in North Lanarkshire.

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been reunited in Scotland. Picture: AFP
Kate Middleton and Prince William have been reunited in Scotland. Picture: AFP
Kate Middleton again cast a popular figure on tour. Picture: AFP
Kate Middleton again cast a popular figure on tour. Picture: AFP

The Duke and Duchess spoke with individuals supported by the organisation that provides support to people facing challenging situations.

During their visit, Kate and William also joined a video call with staff and service users of TPS’ Glasgow Overdose Response Team to hear some of the successes of the service.

Prince William arrived in Scotland ahead of Kate and spent the weekend visiting a local soccer club to discuss mental health and testing out an electric racing car in the iconic Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife.

Prince William is in Scotland after being appointed Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Kate Middleton joined her husband on tour in Scotland. Picture: Getty Images
Kate Middleton joined her husband on tour in Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

It was claimed the Queen is set to lead a charm offensive to convince Scotland to remain in the UK after rumblings of independence.

On Friday Prince William had to politely fend off the advances of a 96-year-old female admirer while visiting elderly residents of a care home in Edinburgh.

Great-grandmother and ex-servicewoman Betty Magee, 96, stole Prince William’s attention when she said: It’s customary in these parts to give a lady a kiss on the cheek.”

Prince William replied: “Oh you are sweet. You’ll make me blush.”

Prince William showed no signs of stress amid the Martin Bashir BBC scandal as he joked and chatted with the elderly residents.

It’s been a tough week for the royal family with the Queen reportedly “deeply upset” by Prince Harry’s “very personal” criticisms of his relatives.

The royal family has been rocked by Prince Harry unleashing a string of “truth bombs” that started with the interview he and his wife Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey in March.

Prince William and Kate Middleton spoke to people dealing with mental health issues in Scotland. Picture: Getty Images
Prince William and Kate Middleton spoke to people dealing with mental health issues in Scotland. Picture: Getty Images

The 36-year-old has since gone on to speak to Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast – saying his life was like the film The Truman Show and that he had felt “more free” since moving to the US.

The Duke of Sussex also said he moved to the US with Meghan and baby son Archie to escape his “genetic pain”.

The couple are on a week-long tour of Scotland. Picture: AFP
The couple are on a week-long tour of Scotland. Picture: AFP

HUGE CLUE ABOUT HARRY’S SPIRAL

Prince Harry was “drinking to oblivion” after the inquest into the death of his mother Princess Diana, a royal author says.

Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, said it was clear something was “not right” with Harry during a bachelor party for cousin Peter Phillips, two days after the inquest concluded Diana died in an accident.

“Something was not right with Harry. He was visibly rocking backwards and forwards on his feet,” Mr Larcombe wrote for The Mirror.

“Under his arm was a piece of plastic pipe taped at one end by a large funnel. At one point Harry kneeled down, put the other end of the pipe in his mouth as a pals poured two pints of bitter down his neck.

“Even by Harry’s standards, this was a young royal drinking to oblivion.”

Prince Harry has opened up about life inside the royal family in several high-profile TV appearances.
Prince Harry has opened up about life inside the royal family in several high-profile TV appearances.

Mr Larcombe said Prince Harry was furious that he couldn’t make a personal statement on the inquest findings, instead the royal response was made in a statement from Prince Charles.

“Harry was furious at the official statement his ‘father’s people’ had issued on his behalf, welcoming the inquest findings,” Mr Larcombe said.

“As far as he was concerned he’d been forced into silence, denied the chance of paying a personal tribute to his beloved mother.

“When I plucked up the courage to ask him why he had not simply instructed the men in grey suits to issue a statement he was happy with, his answer remains ingrained in my memory.

“Because they don’t work for me, they work for my father,” Harry responded.

QUEEN ‘DEEPLY UPSET’

The Queen is reportedly “deeply upset” by Prince Harry’s “very personal” criticisms after he accused the royal family of “total neglect” in his latest bombshell Oprah Winfrey series.

Royal sources say anger within the royal family has intensified following Harry’s claims on the Apple TV+ series The Me You Can’t See, The Sun reports.

But despite the attacks on his parenting skills, Prince Charles, sources say, is keen for a reconciliation with his youngest son.

“Harry’s grandmother has taken this very personally and is deeply upset by what Harry has said, in particular his comments about Charles’s parenting and suggesting his father knows no better because of how he was brought up,” the royal source told The Mail on Sunday.

“It has been a very upsetting time.”

The Queen during a visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base ahead of the ship's maiden deployment in Portsmouth, England. Picture: Getty Images
The Queen during a visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base ahead of the ship's maiden deployment in Portsmouth, England. Picture: Getty Images

Earlier, the Queen made her first public appearance since the latest revelations from the bombshell Oprah Winfrey series on mental health.

Her Majesty beamed as she visited a warship named in honour of her on Saturday, local time, in Portsmouth.

The Queen was dressed in a red and black frock coat and smiled and chatted cheerfully during her visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base ahead of the ship's maiden deployment.

The Queen wore a brooch given to her by her late husband, Prince Philip. Picture: AFP
The Queen wore a brooch given to her by her late husband, Prince Philip. Picture: AFP

The HMS Queen Elizabeth is preparing to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a 28-week operational deployment travelling over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Philippine Sea.

The monarch toured the Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, which has been fondly nicknamed Big Lizzie, during a tumultuous week for the royal family.

Despite the dramatic events of the week, Her Majesty smiled broadly at Navy officers as she boarded the vessel, sporting a brooch gifted to her by her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip’s military service is well-known, having served in the Navy during the Second World War.

Prince Harry in The Me You Can't See. Picture: Apple TV
Prince Harry in The Me You Can't See. Picture: Apple TV

Meanwhile, Prince William made an official visit to Scotland hours after slamming the BBC for “tricking” his mother Princess Diana into the “deceitful” Panorama interview in 1995.

The Duke of Cambridge admitted “lockdown has tested everyone” – and spoke of his “dark days of grief” after the death of his mother and his joy in meeting future wife Catherine at the University of St Andrews.

In a speech, William said: “Scotland is a source of some of my happiest memories but also my saddest. I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died.

“Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning and in the dark days of grief that followed I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors.

Prince William says that “lockdown has tested everyone.” Picture: Getty Images
Prince William says that “lockdown has tested everyone.” Picture: Getty Images

“As a result, the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep. Alongside this painful memory is one of great joy because it was here in Scotland 20 years ago this year that I first met Catherine.

“Needless to say the town where you meet your future wife holds a very special place in your heart. George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both of us and they are starting to build their own happy memories here too.”

The Queen, who stepped aboard the warship hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met officers, has not made any comment on either of the latest stories embroiling her family.

The monarch paid her visit to the 65,000-ton ship ahead of its maiden voyage as part of Carrier Strike Group.

The ship will have 1,700 personnel aboard, and sail to the Middle East before F-35 jets are launched to strike at Islamic State targets in Iraq.

Captain Angus Essenhigh, the Queen and Commodore Steve Moorhouse during a visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base ahead of the ship's maiden deployment. Picture: Getty Images
Captain Angus Essenhigh, the Queen and Commodore Steve Moorhouse during a visit to HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base ahead of the ship's maiden deployment. Picture: Getty Images
The Queen signs the visitors' book during her visit to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth. Picture: AFP
The Queen signs the visitors' book during her visit to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth. Picture: AFP

The strike group will then sail through the Suez Canal, out to the Indian Ocean and on to the Philippine Sea.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to make a number of port stops along way – including Oman, Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

The vessel is the largest and most powerful ship ever constructed in the Royal Navy, with capacity for 40 jets.

– with The Sun

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-queen-has-made-her-first-public-appearance-since-prince-harrys-latest-controversy/news-story/adadba4cfbd85d79f8dc55bcaa6b4f1a