The Royals UK

Prince Philip’s Mother Saved Jews during the Holocaust
Apr 11, 2021  |  by Adam Rossprint article
Prince Philip’s Mother Saved Jews during the Holocaust
Husband to the Queen for 74 years, Prince Philip was deeply proud of his mother, Princess Alice of Greece who was recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.

"I suspect that it never occurred to her that her action was in any way special," Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, once said about his mother, Princess Alice of Greece, who rescued a family of Jews during the Shoah. "She was a person with deep religious faith and she would have considered it to be a totally human action to fellow human beings in distress."

Prince Philip died on Friday, aged 99, he had been married to Queen Elizabeth for 74 years.
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Princess Alice
Born at Windsor Castle in 1865, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Alice was diagnosed with deafness at a young age and by the age of eight had learned to lip read fluently. Known for her sensitivity to others, enhanced by her own disability, she was married to Prince Andrew of the Greek-Danish Royal family. During the Second World War, the southern part of Greece was occupied from 1941, with the north also occupied from 1943.

(Left) Princess Alice with her son Philip, (Right) Princess Alice and Prince Andrew.

The Nazis began deporting Jews from the south to death camps in Poland in 1941. Haimaki Cohen had been a Jewish member of the Greek parliament and was known to Princess Alice. He died in 1943, having fled to the north of the country. His wife Rachel and her family were hidden by a nun, Sister Chrisaki, on the outskirts of Athens, but had to flee after a short period of time, fearing they would be informed on by neighbors.



The Cohen family,Left to right, Tilde Cohen, Alfred Cohen, Haimaki Cohen and Rachel Cohen in 1941. Photograph: Evy Cohen

Princess Alice who had been assisting the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross to help care for refugees, heard of the Cohen’s plight and opened the doors of the palace to them. Three of Rachel’s grown up children succeeded in escaping Greece, reaching Egypt via Turkey, while Princess Alice sheltered Rachel Cohen and her daughter Tilde in a third-floor apartment in the palace.

The Cohens remained in the palace for 13 months, with the princess regularly visiting and talking at length with Rachel, also assigning the family two Greeks who helped the family keep in contact with the outside world. It was this communication which helped Rachel discover that one of her sons had not been able to reach Egypt. He was also brought to the palace joining his mother and sister.

Helping a Jewish family came with great risks, especially for Princess Alice, since three of her four daughters had married German princes, who were serving as SS officers. Suspicions of her loyalty were rife, since Philip, her only son had much earlier enlisted to the British Royal navy at aged 18 where he served throughout the war with distinction.

At one point her daughters and their SS officer husbands visited her Athens home and were suspicious of who was living upstairs. The princess played up her deafness, pretending not to comprehend their questioning and claiming simply that a nanny lived with her.


Attending a wedding in 1957 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with the Queen to his right and his mother Princess Alice to his left.

After the war, Rachel and her two children left Greece and later moved along with her other children to Israel. The vast majority of Greece’s approximately 80,000 Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.

Princess Alice established a convent in Athens dedicated to helping the needy. Following a coup in the country, she returned to Great Britain to be near to her son and his wife the Queen, whom she lived with at Buckingham Palace, dedicating herself solely to helping the disadvantaged and needy.

Shortly before her death in 1983, Alice requested to be buried in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. She died without any possessions having given everything she owned away. 19 years later in 1988, in accordance with her wishes, her body was flown to Israel and placed in the crypt in the Garden of Mount Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.

Prince Philip laying a wreath at Yad Vashem in 1994.

In 1993, the Cohen family formally applied for Princess Alice to be recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, and a year later Prince Philip made the first visit of a member of the Royal Family to Israel to plant a tree in his mother’s memory. He was a guest of the President of Israel, Ezer Weitzman, visited his mother’s tomb and spent time speaking with the Cohen family and their descendants who owed their lives to his mother’s kindness.

Speaking at the ceremony Philip said his mother had acted purely out of faith and conscience. “For years, we did not know, and, as far as we know, she also never mentioned to anyone, that she had given refuge to the Cohen family.”

Princess Alice's  tree at  the Avenue for the Righteous of the Nations at Yad Vashem 

Prince Philip also added his own recollection of Nazi antisemitism while studying at a boarding school as a 12-year-old boy, in the town of Salem in Southern Germany as Hitler rose to power. The school had been owned by one of his brothers-in-law.

“It was the custom of the school to appoint a senior boy to look after the new arrivals. I was unaware of it at the time, but it so happened that our 'Helper', as he was called, was of Jewish origin. One night he was over-powered in his bed and had all his hair cut off. You can imagine what an effect this had on us junior boys. Nothing could have given us a clearer indication of the meaning of persecution."

Phillip had played cricket for his school in England, and still owned his cricket cap which he offered to the Jewish boy to cover his shame. “I was pleased to see that he wore it.”

In 2018, Prince Philip’s grandson, Prince William, currently second in line to the throne, visited Israel on the first official state visit, paying his respects at his great grandmother’s tomb and also meeting Evy Cohen, a granddaughter of Rachel Cohen, along with her son Philippe.

Evy Cohen and her son Philippe Cohen, the granddaughter and great grandson of Rachel Cohen, given refuge by Princess Alice of Greece.

Evy Cohen said, “It was very moving, for all sides. Prince William was very proud to know that his great-grandmother had saved our whole family.”

Philippe told the prince, “We all owe our existence to the courage of Princess Alice. Her attitude was extraordinary, and what she did was absolutely extraordinary. She was very courageous and risked her own life to take in a family in need.”

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/prince-philips-powerful-and-natural-link-with-the-jewish-community/
Prince Philip’s powerful and natural link with the Jewish community
APR 9, 2021, 6:12 PM
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The first was the influence of Kurt Hahn, a German Jew who escaped the Nazis and came to the UK, establishing Gordounstoun, the Scottish private school. Prince Philip, who had been born in Corfu and was part of both the Greek and Danish Royal Families, became one of Hahn’s early pupils at Gordounstoun. Hahn was a formative influence on the young Prince. He advocated stretching young people to their potential, encapsulated in his motto “There is more in you than you think.” He also thought that freedom and discipline were not mutually exclusive, and both were necessary ingredients to mould young people’s character. Although Hahn later converted to Christianity in 1945, his German Jewish roots were a strong part of his identity.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/prince-philips-powerful-and-natural-link-with-the-jewish-community/

The second link the Duke had with the Jewish community was though his mother Princess Alice, who sheltered Jews during the Holocaust. She hid a Jewish family, the Cohens, at her house in Athens during the War. Years later, in 1994, she was made a Righteous Among the Nations and the Duke visited Israel for the ceremony. Speaking on that occasion, he said: “It never occurred to her that her action was in any way special. She would have considered it to be a perfectly natural human reaction to fellow beings in distress.” On his visit to Jerusalem, the Prince was able to visit his mother’s grave at the Russian Orthodox church of St Mary Magdalene.

The lesson of Princess Alice’s heroic action seemed to leave an indelible mark on the Prince. It gave him an appreciation of humanity’s capacity for scapegoating and prejudice, and he showed empathy to the victims of this. This even came to light as a young boy when he came to the rescue of a fellow Jewish pupil at school in Germany, who was picked on and had his hair cut off. Speaking decades later, the Prince of Wales said: “I shall always be proud of my father’s act of compassion.” The Duke’s personal experience and family history meant that he had a particular interest in engagements with Holocaust survivors, which became more frequent over recent years.

The third connection point the Duke had to the Jewish community was an alignment of values. Through a series of conversations I’ve had with different people in-the-know over the years, I am convinced that the Duke was admiring of Jewish values of hard work and resilience along with a can-do spirit. The Jewish story of bouncing back from setback and persecution would have found favour in the no-nonsense Duke’s eyes. He channelled his vision through his charity, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards , which he founded in 1956 and operates in 144 countries including Israel. Of course, Jewish schools have participated and many Jewish philanthropists have supported this famous charity.

The Duke has engaged with Jewish charities, visited Jewish schools and worked with Jewish figures over the years. One of his most interesting areas of work was in convening an interfaith dialogue between Jews, Christians, and Muslims in 1984, together with Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and  Crown Prince El Hassan of Jordan. He also founded the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, and it’s no surprise that his eldest son and grandson are so engaged in environmental work.

I have my own memories of the Duke, mainly from the engagements I worked on. My mind wanders to the annual meeting the Duke did with the cricket County Champions at the Palace every year, a CCJ gala dinner in 2011 or a visit to a Hindu school at the start of Jubilee year in 2012, which he seemed so much to enjoy. I saw him and the Queen work side-by-side. He would often lighten the mood and was an important foil for the more formal Queen.  My favourite anecdote about the Duke (courtesy of Barry Hyman) relates to when he visited the Sternberg Centre in the 1990s and was shown the inter-faith room, with his hosts telling him that they worked hard on Jewish-Christian relationships. “Really,” he replied, “and what about Jewish-Jewish relationships?”!

Unsurprising for a 90+ year old his health has been up and down. He had a scare during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and missed the some of the main weekend celebrations that year. His loss 62 days before his 100th birthday, and the year before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, comes at a particularly cruel time (the Queen lost her mother and sister at the start of Golden Jubilee year in 2002).

Prince Philip - 1921-2021 - Tributes from across the community and around the world
Jewish News Daily https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/tributes-paid-as-prince-philip-dies-aged-99/
Fri 09/04/2021 14:25
‘Distinguished, selfless, loyal’ – tributes to Prince Philip, who dies aged 99
Tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip, have been paid by leading communal figures following the news of his death this morning.

Prince Philip who was married to the Queen for more than 70 years, was just weeks from his milestone 100th birthday on June 10.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,” said the palace in a statement.

Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies, paid tribute to Duke, sending her “deepest commiserations” to Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family on their loss.

“Prince Philip’s life was spent in public service, from his active duty in the Navy during the Second World War to the tens of thousands of engagements which he carried out over six-and-a-half decades of royal duties,” she said.

“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family today; it is our sincere hope that their memories of Prince Philip will be a comfort to them in the period ahead.”

Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, sent his “profound condolences” to her Majesty following the sad news, and expressed the community’s gratitude for Prince Philip’s long life of public service.

“I enjoyed immensely my personal conversations with the Duke of Edinburgh, during which I was deeply moved by his extraordinary sense of duty,” he said.

“A remarkable Royal, working well into his 90s, he became a role model for staying active in one’s latter years and demonstrated an unwavering sense of responsibility to our country.

“His Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, founded in 1956, has transformed the lives of many thousands of young people.”Rabbi Mirvis paid tribute to the Duke as a “most distinguished man who was a selfless and loyal public figure,” and recalled his affection for the Jewish community.

He added: “The Queen and all the Royal Family are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”

Tributes were also paid in Israel, with Benjamin Netanyahu describing Philip as a “consummate public servant”.

Community Security Trust joined those paying tributes to the Duke’s public service, saying: “We will always be grateful for Prince Philip’s dedication and support for the UK Jewish community.”

The chair of the Jewish Leadership Council, Jonathan Goldstein, was also among those their condolences to her Majesty on the Duke’s death, adding: “May his memory be a blessing.”

Among the Duke’s many public engagements were a 2015 visit to the former Nazi concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen.

The Holocaust Education Trust said it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the Duke’s passing. “He made an immeasurable contribution to the life of our country and his loss will be felt by us all,” it said.

The Duke also attended the United Synagogue’s centenary dinner in 1970, and his affection for the community has been remembered fondly by Michael Goldstein, its president.

He recalled how the Duke had been a “been a constant for generations of United Synagogue members and their families, the wider Jewish community and the nation at large.”

He added: “We wish ‘chayim aruchim’, long life, to the Queen and the Royal Family.”


Prince Philip speaking at an event at Norwood in the 1990s
Prince Philip also spoke at events at Norwood, the Jewish charity, whose patron is Her Majesty the Queen. It paid tribute to the Duke as an “outstanding public servant.”

“We remember him for all he did in his 99 years,” it said.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the Queen’s private secretary, the Movement for Reform Judaism said Prince Philip was “a true friend of the community and to Israel where his mother Princess Alice of Greece is buried.”

While praising the Duke’s “lifetime of service and duty,” chair Robert Wiltshire also recalled how Prince Philip’s mother hid a Jewish family in her home in Nazi-occupied Athens.

The Duke served in the Royal Navy during the war, fighting in the Battle of Crete among others, becoming one of the youngest First Lieutenants in the service at the age of just 21.

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Former Board chief recalls Prince Philip’s ‘wonderful humour’ at school opening
BY JACK MENDEL
Jonathan Arkush remembers the royal opening of Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Radlett in 2,000, at which the late prince was a ‘master at making people laugh’.
Prince Philip’s “mastery at making people laugh” has been recalled by the former president of the Board of Deputies, as he remembered the day the royal opened Hertsmere Jewish primary in Radlett.

Following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death aged 99 on Friday, Jonathan Arkush, who served as communal leader from 2015 to 2018, remembered the royal for his “wonderful sense of humour”.


Opening Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in 2000, Prince Philip “ was a wonderful guest, engaging brilliantly with the children and giving an off- the-cuff outstandingly witty speech,” said Arkush, who was a chair of governors of HJPS governor at the time.

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“In my welcoming remarks I referred to our community’s everlasting gratitude and admiration for the Prince’s mother, Princess Alice, who rescued Jewish families from the Nazis in the Second World War. Prince Philip was visibly moved and wiped his eyes.”
Princess Alice is buried in Jerusalem, and is recognised as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.

“The prince had a wonderful sense of humour. Seeing HJPS’s benefactor Stanley Cohen in a plaster cast around his foot, and referring to Stanley’s skill in fundraising, he joked that someone had obviously decided to get one back at Stanley when asked for a donation.”
Arkush said the Prince and Cohen “enjoyed a long friendship” and he “was very appreciative that Stanley chaired the Duke of Edinburgh Award Charitable Trust for a number of years”.
MORE https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/former-board-chief-recalls-prince-philips-wonderful-humour-at-school-opening/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8562521/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-face-PERMANENT-exile-Royal-Family.html
'No way back': Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘face PERMANENT exile from the Royal Family’ after bombshell book laid bare couple’s bitter rift with The Firm
Bombshell biography has 'torpedoed' the chances of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle resuming official roles
The book has laid bare the relationship between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and monarchy in detail 
The revelations will also harm efforts to repair their rift with Harry's brother William, palace sources claim
The way the couple have conducted themselves in LA is said to have fallen foul of the palace, it is claimed 
By REBECCA ENGLISH ROYAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 22:04, 26 July 2020 | UPDATED: 22:13, 26 July 2020

Harry and Meghan will never resume official roles following the bombshell biography laying bare their rift with the Royal Family.

The couple have 'torpedoed' any chance of creating a new position with the help of the Queen and senior royals when their 'trial period' in the US ends, sources believe.

The book, which reveals their soured relationship with the monarchy in excruciating detail, is likely to scupper any hopes of renegotiating their royal duties when 'Megxit' is reviewed.

The revelations will also harm efforts to repair their rift with Harry's brother William and sister-in-law Kate, it is feared. 

A royal household source said: 'The door will always be open to them as much-loved members of the family. 

'But it's hard to see how they can now salvage the new role they wanted as 'hybrid' royals, running commercial careers alongside royal duties from the US.'

Another source told the Mail: 'The review period has not yet been discussed but it doesn't seem if there is any way of going back now. Some very private family matters have now been aired in public, seemingly with their blessing. That will be hurtful.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have 'torpedoed' any chance of creating a new position with the help of the Queen and senior royals when their 'trial period' in the US ends +11
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have 'torpedoed' any chance of creating a new position with the help of the Queen and senior royals when their 'trial period' in the US ends

The revelations will also harm efforts to repair their rift with Harry's brother William and sister-in-law Kate, it is feared +11
The revelations will also harm efforts to repair their rift with Harry's brother William and sister-in-law Kate, it is feared

The one-year 'probationary' period was designed to give all members of the family breathing space, with the Queen and other senior royals involved in deciding the couple's future +11
The one-year 'probationary' period was designed to give all members of the family breathing space, with the Queen and other senior royals involved in deciding the couple's future

The one-year 'probationary' period was designed to give all members of the family breathing space and allow Harry and Meghan to establish their independent new lives, while offering them the chance to return to the royal fold if they changed their minds.

But multiple sources believe the way the couple have conducted themselves in Los Angeles – such as borrowing a glitzy £14.5million Beverly Hills mansion – and now the bombshell book have put an end to any hope of their returning, in a working role at least.

One senior figure added: 'Given the state of the world this just seems so ill-timed. The Sussexes need to move on.'

Harry and Meghan have publicly denied giving an interview to the authors of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, or of 'contributing' to the book. But their statement failed to address whether they had given permission for their closest friends, staff and associates from collaborating with it.

Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand say they have written the book with the 'participation of those closest to the couple' and boasted of having access to Harry and Meghan's personal and professional 'inner circle'. Insiders firmly believe that would only have happened with the couple's permission, tacit or otherwise.

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Several specific incidents, including details of the sacking of Archie's night nurse and a private lunch Harry had with the Queen, which have featured in publicity for the book, would also have largely been known only to Harry and Meghan.

The book, serialised in the Times and Sunday Times, has detailed the increasingly bitter relationship between Harry and William, as well as the rollercoaster romance that saw the couple declare 'I love you' within three months. 

It claims:

Harry was so entranced by Meghan he convinced himself she was the woman who he would marry after only their second date.
Meghan used to tip off the paparazzi when working as an actress in Canada, despite her later going on to claim she didn't understand the 'tabloid culture'.
Meghan's friends claimed she endured prejudice from the royal household, with a senior staff member overheard telling a colleague: 'There's just something about her I just don't trust.'
Harry believed William was a 'snob' for urging him not to rush into his relationship with Meghan, worrying his brother was being 'blindsided by lust'. The brothers have barely spoken since.
Meghan was 'disappointed' that Kate did not welcome her into the family and found her frosty.
One senior royal referred to the ex-actress as 'Harry's showgirl'.
Harry felt 'unprotected' by his family and disparaged within palace walls for being 'too sensitive and outspoken'.
Senior courtiers in other households felt that the global popularity of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'needed to be reined in',
A tearful Meghan told friends about their decision to quit royal duties: 'I gave up my entire life for this family.'
While the biography is short on new detail, it offers a fascinating take on events over the last two years that have rocked the Royal Family from Harry and Meghan's perspective. And their resentment is all too clear for the world to see.

Royal insiders believe the 'bitterness' and 'score settling' that characterise the book make a mockery of the Queen's warm words when she gave them her blessing to seek a new life in North America, but deliberately 'left the door ajar' by saying they would review arrangements in January next year. The couple have, of course, insisted on keeping on their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, as a UK base when their spend time here with their son, Archie, who hasn't returned since last November.

Courtiers point out that other royals, including William and Kate, had refrained from making their own opinions regarding recent events public in order to ‘let the dust settle’ +11
Courtiers point out that other royals, including William and Kate, had refrained from making their own opinions regarding recent events public in order to ‘let the dust settle’

Two further sources said the biography – dubbed the 'gospel according to Harry and Meghan' – had made the couple look 'irrelevant', particularly coming out at the height of the global Covid crisis.

'The world has moved on as a result of the pandemic and the Royal Family have had to as well,' said one.

'This book has nothing new, frankly, friends have just presented events through a certain lens. People normally realise that actually it's a lot more nuanced and finely balanced than that.

'There are far more important things going on in the world, is the general view at the palace.'

The other source added: 'No one is angry. It was all to be expected. But it is hoped they have got whatever they want to get off their chests now, move on and be happy with their lives.

'People are just all too familiar with this and nobody wins. They seem to be fighting invisible enemies here, there and everywhere.'

Courtiers point out that other royals, including William and Kate, had refrained from making their own opinions regarding recent events public in order to ‘let the dust settle’, but the new biography has just ‘blown a hole in that’.

 
How Prince Harry was FIRST to say 'I love you': Royal and Meghan Markle knew after first two dates that they 'would be together', bombshell biography reveals 

Prince Harry was the first to say 'I love you' in his relationship with Meghan Markle, with friends revealing the couple were 'immediately obsessed' with each other, according to the latest extract of a bombshell biography.  

The couple felt a 'palpable attraction' after their first date at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, London, with Harry reportedly left in a 'trance' and Meghan telling friends 'this could have legs'.

Harry had a beer, while Meghan drank a martini as they discussed their work, so engrossed with each other that their nibbles lay neglected.

On that first date, which lasted three hours, Harry talked about his charity work and many trips to Africa, finding a joint passion for wanting to 'make change for good' with Meghan, helping to form a bond between them. 

They didn't kiss on that first night, though sources said they were 'in their own little world' and made plans to meet again soon.  

That meeting was the very next night, at the same venue, according to the biography Finding Freedom, written by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.

The writers say they have spoken to more than 100 sources including 'close friends of Harry and Meghan's, royal aides and palace staff (past and present)', with all the information in the book having 'at least two sources.'

In the latest extract, they delved deep into the story of how Harry and Meghan became a couple, their first dates, her first visit to Kensington Palace and how Harry said 'I love you' just three months into their relationship, to which Meghan quickly responded with 'I love you, too'. 

The couple connected almost instantly, friends said, with their second date, also at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, taking place the day after their first.  

They enjoyed a romantic dinner, with staff taking great pains to ensure their privacy, whisking them in through a staff entrance usually used to bring in fish discreetly. 

They chatted throughout the night, with Harry returning to Kensington Palace alone, though he admitted to friends afterwards that Meghan was 'ticking every box'. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on September 30 +11
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on September 30

Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, London, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met for the first time and went on their first two dates +11
Dean Street Townhouse in Soho, London, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met for the first time and went on their first two dates

They tried to hide their romance, though Meghan took to Instagram to share a post containing a photo of a Love Hearts candy with the inscription 'Kiss Me' and the caption 'Lovehearts in #London'. She also followed Prince Harry's private account. 

Just one night after date number two, Meghan was taken to Kensington Palace in a shroud of secrecy, where Harry tried to impress her with tales about his work and life, which he admitted was a 'little mad'. 

Just six weeks later, Harry told her that he wanted to take her on a trip, asking Meghan to fly to London. 

She flew in from Toronto, spent a night with Harry at Kensington Palace, before the couple flew to Johannesburg the next morning.  

From there, they flew on a private airplane to Maun International Airport before heading to Okavango Delta — a stunning 5,800 square mile wetland in Botswana's safari country. 

They stayed for most of the trip in one of the £1,529-a-night deluxe tents. 

A friend said: 'She came back smiling and just completely spellbound.'

They enjoyed the trip so much that they would have 'happily spent the entire summer there together', if not for there obligations back home. 

Meghan also opened up about the closeness she felt with Harry. 

'I've never felt that safe,' Meghan told her friend, 'that close to someone in such a short amount of time.'

After that, they regularly enjoyed clandestine meet-ups, Harry taking commercial flights to Toronto to see her. 

Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, has been written by royal watchers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'cheerleaders' +11
Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, has been written by royal watchers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'cheerleaders'

The Botswana trip, technically only their third date, served as a 'speed-up' for their relationship, friends claimed. 

'By then,' a friend said, 'they were each already dancing around the idea that this just may be a for ever thing.'

Meghan was all in, heedless of warnings from confidants about the scrutiny that comes with being a royal spouse.  

It took just three months for Harry to say 'I love you', though Meghan was swift to reply.   

The couple kept a low profile in the early months, striving to keep their relationship out of the press. 

However, Harry was soon noticed in Meghan's neighbourhood, the biography claims, his visits becoming an open secret with royal minders sitting in black SUVs eating burritos.    

In October, while enjoying a trip to Toronto, Harry was informed by one of his aides that a tabloid was set to reveal his relationship with Meghan. 

The aide, and several others from the palace, urged Harry to come home, citing his minimal security and the fact that he would soon be besieged by photographers. 

But Harry refused to budge.     

The news came out the following day, with Meghan disappointed, according to the biography, though she was relieved not to have to keep lying to friends about her trips to London.  

Harry had warned Meghan that their relationship coming out was 'inevitable' and said he wanted to 'make the most of the time they had', though Meghan still admitted to being surprised by the instant attention. 

Within 24 hours, Meghan received 100 messages from people she hadn't spoken to in months or even years, all asking about the news.  

A short time later, a photographer from an LA-based photo agency scaled the fence into her back garden and waited for Meghan by her car, hoping to get a picture before she headed out to run errands. 

Meghan was terrified and called the police. 'This is how it's always going to be, isn't it?' she said to a friend. 

Social media also become a hell for Meghan, some posting racist messages branding her a 'n*****' or a 'mutt'.

The horrific messages left Harry furious, Meghan's experience serving as something of an introduction to racism for the prince. 

In fact, friends believe Meghan's experience with race and the biases Harry realised she had to deal with, led him to fallouts with his own circle of friends.  

In an extract published yesterday, Scobie and Durand described how Meghan, sitting on FaceTime to her friend in a bathtub, confessed she sent her father one last text on the night before her wedding in May 2018 +11
In an extract published yesterday, Scobie and Durand described how Meghan, sitting on FaceTime to her friend in a bathtub, confessed she sent her father one last text on the night before her wedding in May 2018

When questioned his new relationship, and whether she was 'suitable', it left him wondering if race or class played a part. 

He immediately cut ties with an old friend who disparaged Meghan and her Hollywood background. 

Willing to confront his close friends, the prince was happy to engage in an all-out war with the press.   

 When a tabloid published a set of unflattering photos showing Meghan's mother Doria Ragland on her way to the laundromat, pushing the narrative of a struggling woman in a rough part of LA, Meghan remained silent publicly, though she was in tears in truth. 

This pushed Harry into protecting her and he decided to make an official statement. 

However, the statement clashed with his father Prince Charles' tour in the Middle East, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall having just arrived in Bahrain to meet the country's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. 

It was a critical moment that had been in the works for months and a statement from Kensington Palace condemning the press while confirming Harry's new girlfriend would all but eliminate coverage of Prince Charles's tour.

Despite this, the palace decided to go ahead with the statement, much of it drafted by Harry himself. 

His father only learnt of the statement 20 minutes before it was released and, unsurprisingly, it soon dominated the news cycle. 

Prince Charles and his team were left crushed and disappointed, though Charles also understood the intervention was a necessary one. 

However, the episode only served to prove that Harry felt the need to prioritise the woman he loved over duty to the royal family. 

 
Did Prince Harry propose to Meghan Markle on Botswana holiday THREE MONTHS before telling the world? New biography says they were ‘secretly engaged in August 2017’

Prince Harry may have proposed to Meghan Markle three months before their official announcement, a bombshell biography detailing the Sussexes' dramatic departure from royal life has revealed.

According to Finding Freedom, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'became secretly engaged in August 2017'.

That same month, the pair took a trip to Botswana where they are said to have celebrated both Meghan's 36th birthday and their first year as a couple.

During their engagement interview in November 2017, Prince Harry said he popped the question 'earlier this month' while the couple were 'roasting chicken' on a 'cosy night'.

Meghan and Harry in Botswana in the summer of 2017. According to Finding Freedom, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'became secretly engaged in August 2017' +11
Meghan and Harry in Botswana in the summer of 2017. According to Finding Freedom, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'became secretly engaged in August 2017'

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, after the announcement of their engagement +11
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, after the announcement of their engagement

In the biography, written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, a source says Prince William tried to 'make sure that Harry wasn't blindsided by lust' in his relationship with Meghan shortly before they got engaged that August. 

According to the book, which is being serialised by The Times and The Sunday Times, Harry took offence when William told him: 'Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.'

Harry is said to have considered the choice of the words 'this girl' to be condescending.

Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, has been written by royal watchers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'cheerleaders' +11
Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, has been written by royal watchers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's 'cheerleaders'

In their 2018 engagement interview, Harry recalled how he 'convinced' Meghan to fly out to Botswana to join him on a trip and said they spent a romantic five days camping out under the stars.

'It was I think about three, maybe four weeks [after their first date] that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana,' he said at the time.

'And we, we camped out with each other under the stars, we spent, she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic.'

The country has a special significance for Prince Harry, who first visited Botswana shortly after his mother Princess Diana's death, when he travelled there with his brother and father.

Harry fell in love with the country on that first trip and has since returned regularly, getting increasingly involved with wildlife conservation efforts in Botswana.  

When it came to finding the perfect engagement ring for Meghan, Harry even chose to source a diamond from Botswana - which he has previously referred to as his 'second home'. 

The stone was paired with two diamonds from a tiara that belonged to Princess Diana.  

Finding Freedom provides an intimately detailed and personalised version of the events leading up to the Sussexes' dramatic departure from royal life, with co-authors Scobie and Durand insisting 'all information in this book has at least two sources'. 

Harry and Meghan deny giving interviews.

‘You’re the lady my wife photographed!’: Prince William meets survivor Yvonne
https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/youre-the-lady-my-wife-photographed-prince-william-meets-survivor-yvonne/
Future king joins wife as she is reunited with Yvonne Bernstein, who was one of two survivors featured in pictures taken by the Duchess for Holocaust Memorial Day
By JUSTIN COHEN 
January 28, 2020, 2:08 pm
The Duchess of Cambridge shares a joke with Holocaust survivor Yvonne Bernstein after the UK Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony at Central Hall in Westminster, London. (Photo credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)
The Duchess of Cambridge shares a joke with Holocaust survivor Yvonne Bernstein after the UK Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony at Central Hall in Westminster, London. (Photo credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)
The Duchess of Cambridge hugged and kissed one of the survivors she photographed as part of a Jewish News project to mark Holocaust Memorial Day as the pair were reunited in Westminster yesterday.

Yvonne Bernstein was pictured by HRH with her granddaughter Chloe – an image that will appear in an exhibition of 75 images of survivors and their relatives later this year.

Initiated by the Jewish News, the project is a collaboration between Jewish News, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Royal Photographic Society, of which the Duchess is patron.

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Meeting survivors of the Shoah and subsequent genocides with Prince William after the national commemoration yesterday, Kate beamed as she saw Yvonne: “I had a very good model,” she told the small group. “She was fantastic. It was very special, I was very honoured.” She told Yvonne, 82, “You were brilliant, you were very patient.”

“I came out pretty well!” laughed Yvonne.

And there was one thing uppermost in Prince William’s mind as he spotted Yvonne too. He told the group: “I know this lady well. Do you know my wife took her photograph? They’re great photos – She’s such a perfectionist.”

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/prince-charles-nhs/
Prince Charles heralds ‘Israeli geniuses maintaining entire structure of NHS’
After a sombre day dominated by remembrance of the Shoah, Charles met innovators, cultural figures and business leaders from across Israeli society
By JUSTIN COHEN IN ISRAEL
January 24, 2020, 9:23 am
Prince Charles and Professor Hossam Haick
Prince Charles has hailed the “Israeli geniuses maintaining the entire structure of the NHS” at a reception hosted by the Britain’s ambassador.

The heir to the throne met innovators, cultural figures and business leaders from across Israeli society at the event to which guests were invited “come rain or shine”. In the end, hundreds of guests packed into every corner of the residence’s garden where a specially-erected structure kept guests dry as they clamoured to shake the Royal’s hand.


After a sombre day dominated by remembrance of the Shoah, Charles showed a light touch that delighted the gathering at the end of the final day of his first official tour.

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“It’s been fascinating to hear about so many of the cooperative ventures that are taking place between both our countries,” he said. “From what I gather it sounds as though Israeli geniuses are maintaining the entire structure of the NHS, along with a great deal other remarkable technology developments.” A large percentage of medicines used in the NHS originate in Israel, while the Jewish state is also at the cutting edge of medical advances.

He also pointed to the defence and security cooperation between the two countries and said: “I feel a particular closeness not only because I am the same age as the state of Israel – having been born in 1948 – but also the fact my grandmother is buried on the Mount of Olives.”

He drew the biggest applause of the night as he thanked guests for their warm welcome and added: “Thank you for your very kind welcome and it was particularly encouraging to hear one person say that they thought certain things about the British mandate weren’t too bad after all.”

Professor at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology – who specialises in nanotechnology applications in medicine.

Letter sent by Winston Churchill to the Technion in 1958
He had brought a prototype of his Sniff Phone – which analyses a persons breath to detect a range of illnesses.

Professor Haick told Charles, as the engineer and scientist held the device, slightly larger than a mobile phone: “Every disease has a unique finger print of chemicals.

“It analyses breath and detect 17 different types of disease from cancers to neuro-degenerative diseases.”

Another innovative piece of technology shown to the heir to the throne was a machine that produces water from moisture in the air.

Michael Rutman from Watergen, the company behind the water cooler sized device, offered Charles a glass of water from the machine which comes in an industrial version that can be taken to remote areas.

Rutman said: “He liked it, he said it tasted good. This machine can save lives as it can run off solar panels and provide water in communities which don’t have a fresh supply.”

Ambassador Neil Wigan, who welcomed Charles to the reception, spoke of the honour of welcoming HRH so soon after the visit of Prince William. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to Holocaust education including building a new Memorial and learning centre next to Parliament.

Among the guests at the event were Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, Lord Pickles, who is leading the memorial project with Ed Balls, and the government’s antisemitism adviser Lord Mann along with Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl.

Lord Polak, who had previously described the lack of an official Royal visit as a “stain on relations”, said: “This and the visit of Prince William are the culmination of many people pushing for fully normalised relations and that meant a royal visit. This will help cement relations.”

Earlier, Charles was shown round the section of the Israel Museum that house the Dead Sea scrolls.

The Chief Rabbi said: “The Jews are called the people of the book, which is why we preserve these items for all of mankind. Even though the Nazis were responsible for destroying countless other materials the work here is helping this history to live on.”

The Prince of Wales said: “It’s absolutely remarkable these methods of preservation have been upheld and it’s such important work which is just so vital.”

The scrolls were discovered at Qumran, a national park located just 40 miles outside Jerusalem.
The discovery is recognised as the earliest known written examples of the biblical texts.

https://www.aish.com/f/mom/Judging-Harry-and-Meghan.html?s=mm
Judging Harry and Meghan
Jan 13, 2020  |  by Emuna Braverman
Judging Harry and Meghan
Why do so many people assume they know better?
I tried unsuccessfully to restrain myself, but I must jump into the Harry-Meghan/Royal family fray. As irrelevant as it is to my life, I find myself avidly reading every article and perusing every picture. It's great escapism and a fascinating distraction. But I think there’s something more, something that is not unique to this particular couple and something that does impact all our lives.

What strikes me about the response to their decision to remove themselves from royal duties is the stern, judgmental nature of it. The criticisms of the royal couple seem to be unending, the media and even individuals on Instagram etc., relentless.

I don’t know if they’re making a good decision or bad one, a right one or wrong one but many others seem so sure. And their position always seems to imply not only that they (the observers who aren’t living their lives, who aren’t inside their world) know better. This is not just true of Harry and Meghan but of every famous person. We live in a world where ruthless negative judgments reign. And I believe this extends to individuals in our private lives as well. We can’t turn it on and off. If we are so quick to criticize people we don’t even know, I can only imagine our certainty about and our eagerness to attack those we do.

What I continue to wonder about this – whether it’s in the political arena, the Hollywood crowd, the Royal family or our personal relationships – is why we do this. Why are we do sure we understand the lives of others? Why are we so convinced they are wrong? Where is our compassion?

When we look at our own lives, do we see only perfection and complete consistency? Do we recognize the need to cut ourselves some slack, that sometimes we make decisions too quickly, that occasionally we may speak without thinking, that we could even be insensitive on occasion? Why don’t we extend this same courtesy and consideration to others?

The Talmud suggests that the things that most bother us in others are the things that most bother us in ourselves (or as my husband likes to say, “The politician that screams the loudest about family values is most likely to be caught in a hotel room in Las Vegas with…”). I think that’s true. But I think we take it even further. We live in the age of customer reviews and reality shows and televised competitions and we’ve become inured to the pain of criticism, to the humiliation and embarrassment – at least when it comes to others. We think it’s funny; it’s entertainment; they asked for it by being public figures.

We are very sophisticated in our rationalizations, but the bottom line remains the same. We are very quick to judge; we leap to criticism; we are unforgiving. And we think that’s okay; we may even think it’s appropriate.

I think the rest test of this attitude would be if that same lens were turned on us. We might discover that we do indeed have some flaws, we do indeed make some mistakes and it’s actually quite hurtful when they’re aired publicly.

My information about Harry and Meghan comes from the same tabloids (I mean news sources) that everyone else is reading. I make no claim to privileged information. But I try to find some understanding and compassion for them, especially for Harry whose childhood trauma of losing his mother under circumstances that would of necessity make him publicity-shy must surely have shaped his adult responses.

And I think it behooves all of us to do the same. I recently read that there is a group of women in Jerusalem who meet regularly to draw up lists of reasons to judge someone favorably so that when the time comes and they are in a situation where they are tempted not to do so, they can turn to their list and rise above the temptation. I was blown away by this phenomenon and I think we should try the same thing here.

Wouldn’t it be nice to create a list of reasons to be compassionate towards another human being, reasons to treat them with love and understanding instead of scorn and rancor? Wouldn’t it be a good habit to sit around and think of reasons to look for the positive in every human being?

We are told that the Almighty judges us the way we judge others. Based on this crucial idea, I wouldn’t want to be a reporter for many of today’s media outlets. And I would like to create that list of justifications for exercising compassion. It may begin with Harry and Meghan, but I hope it ends with the people who I truly do know and love.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/prince-charles-in-israel/
Prince Charles to meet Shoah survivors and President Rivlin during Israel visit
Heir to the throne will visit Yad Vashem and Bethlehem during historic two-day tour to the Holy Land this month
By JUSTIN COHEN 
January 6, 2020, 12:12 pm
1
Prince Charles
Prince Charles will meet British Holocaust survivors, hold talks with President Reuven Rivlin and make the first official visit to Bethlehem during an historic two-day tour to Israel and the Palestinian Territories this month.

The World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem will be the centrepiece of a tour to Israel and the Palestinian Territories – the highest level official Royal visit to the region.

The heir to the throne has previously visited in private capacity for the funerals of Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres.

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The visit marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and global leaders leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin and America’s Vice President Mike Pence will gather at Yad Vashem for the World Holocaust Forum.

His Royal Highness is “delighted” to be one of only five international figures to deliver a speech And will lay a wreath, according to a spokesman.

The Prince has long taken an interest in supporting survivors in the UK and abroad – from hosting various receptions from Kindertransport evacuees to being the driving force behind the creation of a community centre in Krakow. He is also patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. The spokesman said he was “very much looking forward to meeting” survivors travelling to in Israel for the event, many of whom he’s met before to further a relationship he greatly “values”.

They added he would also undertake a a number of engagements to further to “deep personal interest in Judaism and Jewish culture and celebrate the vibrancy of the bilateral relationship”.

This will include a reception at the residence of British Ambassador Neil Wigan.

He will also visit the Shrine of the Book and travel to the West Bank to meet President Mahmoud Abbas On the final leg on the tour. He will visit Bethlehem as part of his commitment to religious freedom and interest in interfaith relations.

A foreign office spokesman suggested he wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his son The Duke of Cambridge I’m visiting the Kotel. He said there was a aim to “maximise engagement and not duplicate”.

The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Rivlin but there “may be engagement” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the margins of the World Holocaust Forum.

The Prince of Wales will travel to Tel Aviv from Davos where he will launch the Sustainable Markets Council with the support of the World Economic Forum. It will bring together leading figures from the private, public and philanthropic sectors to find ways to decarbonise their global economy.

https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/prince-charles-to-make-first-official-israel-visit-for-holocaust-memorial-day/
Prince Charles to make first official Israel visit for Holocaust Memorial Day
Heir to the throne will attend commemoration for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and will also meet Israeli and Palestinian presidents
December 18, 2019, 11:03 am
Prince Charles
It’s official – Prince Charles will travel to Israel next month in the second Royal visit in two years, Clarence House said on Wednesday.

Both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will attend events related to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, joining other world leaders such as the presidents of Russia and France.

Charles will travel to Israel to meet both Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, then on to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, after attending the World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem on 23 January at Rivlin’s invitation.

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Meanwhile, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January, the Duchess will attend commemorations in Poland at the site of the former death camp, meeting survivors.

Confirmation this week followed a period of intense speculation, when officials tight-lipped despite clearly brimming with excitement.

Britain’s new Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan had already joked that his tenure would be deemed a failure if he did not secure a second Royal visit, after the popularity of Prince William’s visit last year.

Reacting to the news this week, Wigan said he was “delighted” that Charles accepted Rivlin’s invitation, adding: “Prince Charles has visited Israel twice in the past, and I am pleased that this time he will get to see a bit more of Israel.”

Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the World Holocaust Forum, said: “It is a great honour for us that Prince Charles will be attending the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem in January,”

“Prince Charles is a figure of strong moral authority and has long been recognised as a leading voice against intolerance, hate and antisemitism.”

“That Prince Charles has chosen to attend our unprecedented conference on Holocaust remembrance and against antisemitism on his first official visit to Israel speaks volumes.”

The heir to the throne visited Jerusalem in 2016 and 1995, to attend the funerals of President Shimon and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin respectively, but this visit will be his first programme of engagements in Israel or the Palestinian territories.

Royal observers say it is no surprise that Charles and Camilla accepted the official invite to represent the UK next month, given their record on Holocaust commemoration and education.

In 2015, Charles marked 70 years since the camp’s liberation in London, in 2016 Camilla visited the Holocaust Survivors Centre in London, and in 2017 Charles became patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, hosting a reception at St James’s Palace for survivors.

Later that year the couple visited the Jewish Museum in Vienna and in 2018 Charles attended a reception to mark the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport, where he met members of the Association of Jewish Refugees.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7784529/Virginia-Roberts-claims-FBI-warned-credible-death-threat-against-her.html?ico=pushly-notifcation-small
Virginia Roberts claims the FBI have warned her there is 'a credible death threat made against her' following Prince Andrew interview and Jeffrey Epstein's 'suicide'
Roberts, 36, wrote: 'I have been informed from the FBI there has been a credible death threat against me'
Follows a warning yesterday that 'too many evil people want to see me quieted'
Earlier this this month she gave a high-profile interview recounting abuse she claims to have suffered at the hands of powerful men including Prince Andrew
It also comes after alleged abuser Jeffrey Epstein died in custody in the US, in what was officially ruled suicide but others have suggested was homicide
By ROSS IBBETSON and CHRIS PLEASANCE FOR MAILONLINE 

PUBLISHED: 09:40, 12 December 2019 | UPDATED: 10:10, 12 December 2019
Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave Virginia Roberts claims she has been informed by the FBI that a 'credible' death threat has been made against her.

The 36-year-old, who alleges she was trafficked to the UK to have sex with Prince Andrew, said: 'In response to the overwhelming amount of support I have received, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who is standing up beside me fighting for our children to have a safer future.

'I have been informed from the FBI there has been a credible death threat against me.'

It follows an alarming message yesterday warning people that she was not suicidal and that 'evil people want to see me quieted.'

Scroll down for video. 

Virginia Roberts, 36, who gave a harrowing interview to the BBC earlier this month (pictured), claims that the FBI has warned her of a 'credible' death threat +5
Virginia Roberts, 36, who gave a harrowing interview to the BBC earlier this month (pictured), claims that the FBI has warned her of a 'credible' death threat

Roberts wrote a response to her earlier tweet about not feeling suicidal, saying: 'In response to the overwhelming amount of support I have received, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who is standing up beside me fighting for our children to have a safer future. I have been informed from the F.B.I there has been a credible death threat against me' +5
Roberts wrote a response to her earlier tweet about not feeling suicidal, saying: 'In response to the overwhelming amount of support I have received, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who is standing up beside me fighting for our children to have a safer future. I have been informed from the F.B.I there has been a credible death threat against me'

Ms Roberts also said she had kept her doctors aware of her mental health status so they should know that if she was harmed it would not have been by her own hand.

Ms Roberts wrote: 'If something happens to me - in the sake of my family do not let this go away and help me to protect them. Too many evil people want to see me quieted.'

She posted the message in response to another user who suggested the FBI would try to kill her 'to protect the ultra rich and well connected'. 

It comes after Epstein died in custody in the US while awaiting trial. An official autopsy concluded he hanged himself, despite persistent conspiracies and claims by high-profile pathologist Michael Baden that the evidence 'points to homicide'.

Ms Roberts - who now goes by the name Virginia Giuffre - recently appeared on the BBC where she gave an emotional interview alleging abuse by Epstein and Prince Andrew.

She claims the prince abused her three times - once at Epstein's New York apartment, once on a yacht in the Caribbean, and once at the London home of Ghislane Maxwell, Epstein's alleged madam.

Speaking about her first alleged encounter with Andrew in London, she said she was taken to Tramp nightclub where she recalls dancing with the 'sweating' prince.

After leaving the nightclub, Giuffre said: 'In the car Ghislaine tells me that I have to do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey.

'And that made me sick. I didn't expect it from royalty.

'I didn't expect it from someone that people look up to and admire - the royal family.'

It also comes after Jeffrey Epstein died while in custody in the US. An official autopsy ruled his death a suicide, despite others pointing to evidence of homicide +5
It also comes after Jeffrey Epstein died while in custody in the US. An official autopsy ruled his death a suicide, despite others pointing to evidence of homicide

Andrew was pictured alongside Virginia Roberts at Ghislaine Maxwell's house in London in March 2001. He claims to have no memory of the photo being taken and suggested it is fake +5
Andrew was pictured alongside Virginia Roberts at Ghislaine Maxwell's house in London in March 2001. He claims to have no memory of the photo being taken and suggested it is fake

Prince Charles ‘to take on role as Prince Regent’: Heir to the throne meets his father to discuss taking control of family affairs as Queen, 93, prepares to ‘retire’ within 18 months
Prince Charles headed straight to the estate after landing from New Zealand
Charles is believed to be seeking counsel over what the family should do next 
Queen may be preparing to hand over royal management to her son, reports say
Source says he could adopt  'Prince Regent' role while Queen remains monarch 
By RORY TINGLE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 09:21, 27 November 2019 | UPDATED: 13:34, 27 November 2019

Prince Charles met Prince Philip at Sandringham yesterday to discuss the continuing fallout from his brother's disastrous TV interview amid reports he is preparing to take over leadership of the Royals when the Queen turns 95. 

The Prince of Wales' key role in 'retiring' Prince Andrew from public life has fed speculation he is preparing to adopt a modern 'Prince Regent' role, which would see him control day-to-day royal affairs while his mother remains monarch. 

Her Majesty will turn 95 in 18 months - the same age at which her husband Philip withdrew from his public duties - and there is talk among courtiers that she may use the milestone to effectively hand over day-to-day control of the monarchy to Charles. 

The Prince of Wales' key role in 'retiring' Prince Andrew from public life has fed speculation he is preparing to adopt a modern 'Prince Regent' role +6
The Prince of Wales' key role in 'retiring' Prince Andrew from public life has fed speculation he is preparing to adopt a modern 'Prince Regent' role

Charles - pictured laying a wreath at the Cenotaph - has been gradually taking on more responsibility +6
Charles - pictured laying a wreath at the Cenotaph - has been gradually taking on more responsibility 

A royal source told The Sun: 'The scandal surrounding Andrew and Epstein gave Charles an opportunity to step in to show that he can run The Firm. No one is bigger than the institution of the Royal Family. Not even Andrew, the Queen's favourite son.

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'Charles recognised that and acted decisively — like the king he may well soon be. This was the moment when Charles stepped up as Prince Regent, the Shadow King.'

From gorging on food and alcohol to keeping several mistresses (at once!): Heady days of the last Prince Regent
 Affectionately known as Prinny, the future George IV, was notorious for his hedonism
 Affectionately known as Prinny, the future George IV, was notorious for his hedonism

The last Prince Regent was appointed in 1811 after George III suffered episodes of mental illness and his eldest son was asked to take over his duties. 

Affectionately known as Prinny, the future George IV, was notorious for his hedonism – drinking, eating to excess and keeping several mistresses at once. 

The Regency, which lasted until his father's death in 1820, was tumultuous.

Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated in 1812 and, with the Napoleonic Wars raging, taxpayers were riled by the Regent's spending. 

His failed attempts at divorcing Caroline of Brunswick also caused a scandal. 

He died after ten years on the throne and was succeeded by his brother, William IV.

The Queen has been gradually reducing the number of public engagements she attends from 332 in 2016 to a still impressive 283 in 2018. Charles, meanwhile, undertook 507. 

Yesterday, Charles headed straight to the Queen's Norfolk estate after landing in the UK from an official tour of New Zealand and the Solomon Islands to visit Prince Philip.

Philip, 98, spends most of his time at Wood Farm, a small residence on the estate, and it is understood that the heir to the throne will spend several days with the increasingly frail prince.

Many courtiers feel that since the Queen's husband, who used to rule his family with an iron fist, retired from public life, 'discipline' within the royal family has not been what it should be - hence Andrew's virtually autonomous decision to go ahead with his disastrous Newsnight interview over his controversial friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

It's is believed that Charles will seek his father's counsel over what the family should do next as well as spend a few days together, enjoying each other's company.

Charles, 71, was in New Zealand with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on a hugely successful tour on behalf of the British Government when news broke about the interview.

But he moved decisively with the Queen to demand that Andrew step down from public duties to deal with the scandal.

Meanwhile, sources have told the Mail that Charles will not be having any kind of immediate 'showdown' with his brother, as has been claimed.

Indeed, it is understood that he has no plans to meet with his brother, although it is inevitable that the issue will be discussed over the coming weeks.
Royal sources have said the discipline in the household has not been the same since Prince Philip (above) retired

Charles is set to discuss with his father what the family should do next in regards to the Prince Andrew (above) interview fallout 

It is thought that Charles, who discussed the crisis with his mother over the phone last week, feels that decisive enough action was taken over the scandal and there is no need to add to his brother's difficulties by summoning him.

But he will be kept abreast of developments by staff and will inevitably sit down with Andrew at some point in the future.
Charles is long known to have wanted to see a slimmed-down monarchy in the future, and one that doesn't necessarily include his younger brother or his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Andrew's humiliation was compounded after Buckingham Palace revealed that every senior member of the royal family who was available to work would be joining the Queen to welcome NATO leaders, including Donald Trump, at a high profile summit on Tuesday.

The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will formally receive the leaders and their partners, before being joined by the Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace.

Andrew, 59, who played a leading role in President Trump's state visit to the UK earlier this year, would have joined them had he not stepped back from public life.

The only other absentees are the Duke of Cambridge and Countess of Wessex, who have other official engagements on the night, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who have taken a leave of absence from royal duties.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah Ferguson both tried to talk Andrew out of giving the BBC interview. 

They both cautioned him against doing the programme, while his then private secretary Amanda Thirsk was more gung-ho, thinking it could offer him a chance to draw a line under his association with Jeffrey Epstein. 

'Princess Beatrice and Sarah both advised Andrew against going ahead with the interview,' a friend claims. 'However, he paid too much attention to Amanda, who was encouraging him, saying it would clear his name.' 
The trip to Sandringham (above) will also allow the family to spend some quality time together
This contradicts weekend reports that Sarah Ferguson and Beatrice were among the key figures pressing him to participate. 

It was claimed that the Duchess of York had been keen to end the speculation about Andrew's involvement with a convicted paedophile and sex trafficker ahead of Beatrice's wedding to property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi next year.

However, Fergie did not attend the meeting with the Newsnight team and was abroad when details of the interview were being finalised.

Andrew, Beatrice and Thirsk met Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis and the programme's deputy editor, Stewart Maclean, at Buckingham Palace three days before filming to discuss the scope of the interview. 

A close friend of Beatrice insists she 'wasn't part of the decision-making process'. 

The pal adds: 'Bea went to one meeting with the BBC. That's all.'

Princess Beatrice, who hosted a party for her fiance's 36th birthday at Mayfair nightclub Annabel's last Tuesday, was said to be upset about the aftermath of the interview, which has seen Andrew forced to stand back from his charity patronages.

Thirsk, who has worked for the Prince since 2012, stepped down from her role as private secretary last week. 

She is reported to have clashed with Andrew's former PR adviser Jason Stein, 28, who strongly advised Andrew against going ahead with Newsnight and left after just a month in his job.

Thirsk is being employed privately by the Prince and is going to be chief executive of his business mentoring undertaking, Pitch@Palace.  

This is while it was also revealed that Charles is believed to have called his mother the Queen and urged her to sack Andrew from all royal duties and roles immediately fearing his presence could fatally damage the British monarchy.

And MailOnline revealed last week that the heir to the throne is expected to meet the duke within days and 'read him the riot act' - and explain why he retired him off at the age of 59.

Prince Charles and Prince William are also said to be clear that they would oppose any future return to royal duties, it emerged.

It came as it was revealed that Andrew is to 'stand back' from his 100-plus charity patronages in a sign of his deepening humiliation over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. 

A showdown between the brothers over Andrew's disastrous decision to speak publicly about his relationship with convicted paedophile Epstein is inevitable, experts have said.

A new poll found six out of ten people believed it had damaged the reputation of the Royal Family and a slim majority believed he should be banned from public events such as Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Sunday.

Plans for a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace to mark Prince Andrew's 60th birthday in February have been mothballed following public revulsion over the Newsnight interview.

Representatives from his charities, business sponsors and military affiliations would have been invited to the party, but many have attempted to distance themselves from him since the programme was shown.

During the BBC interview, Andrew denied claims he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, Virginia Roberts, but admitted he had 'let the side down' when he visited Epstein's home in New York – two years after the billionaire financier's conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

The decision to go ahead with the interview was initially said to have been sanctioned by the Queen, but a royal source told the Sunday Times she had not given her approval and Andrew had not told her anything about what he planned to say.

The Queen was said to be 'deeply frustrated' that the scandal had overshadowed the rest of the Royal Family's work although she remained 'privately supportive' of her second son, according to the source.

She effectively sacked him from royal duties last week after her heir Prince Charles and second in line to the throne, Prince William, asked her to intervene.

A source told the Sunday Times William had spoken to the Queen and Charles about Andrew's future and believed his removal from public life was 'the right thing to do'. 

They said: 'William is becoming more and more involved in decisions about the institution [the monarchy] and he's not a huge fan of his uncle Andrew.'

Andrew agreed to withdraw from public duty but initially wanted to remain a figurehead for some 200 charities and other affiliations. But he was forced to back down after many made it clear they no longer wanted his backing,
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How Duke of York's annual meetings with Epstein including after he was sent to jail caused Prince Andrew decades of trouble
Here is a timeline of the duke's relationship with Epstein.

- 1999

Andrew first meets Epstein, reportedly introduced through his friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell.

Andrew welcomes Epstein to the Queen's private Scottish retreat in Aberdeenshire. Andrew later says he sees Epstein 'infrequently', adding 'probably no more than only once or twice a year'.

- 2000

Andrew and Ms Maxwell are seen on holiday with Epstein at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Epstein and Ms Maxwell attend a party at Windsor Castle hosted by the Queen to mark Andrew's 40th birthday, the Princess Royal's 50th, the Queen Mother's 100th and Princess Margaret's 70th.

- 2001

Virginia Roberts claims to have had sex with Andrew 'three times, including one orgy', with the first encounter allegedly taking place in Ms Maxwell's London townhouse. Ms Roberts claims to have had sex with Andrew on two more occasions, at Epstein's New York home and at an 'orgy' on his private island in the Caribbean.

- 2008

Epstein admits prostituting minors and is sentenced to 18 months in prison.

- 2010

Epstein is released from jail. Andrew is photographed with the disgraced Epstein in New York's Central Park.

Footage emerges years later, reportedly shot on December 6 2010, showing him inside Epstein's Manhattan mansion, from where he is seen looking out from a large door of the property waving a woman goodbye after Epstein leaves to get into a chauffeur-driven car.

- 2011

The duke quits his role as UK trade envoy after the fallout from the Central Park photos.

- 2015

Buckingham Palace denies Andrew has committed any impropriety after he is named in US court documents related to Epstein. A woman, later named in reports as Ms Roberts, alleges in papers filed in Florida that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in the state.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Andrew, in his first public engagement since he was embroiled in the allegations, responds, saying: 'Firstly I think I must, and want, for the record, to refer to the events that have taken place in the last few weeks.

'I just wish to reiterate, and to reaffirm, the statements that have already been made on my behalf by Buckingham Palace.'

In April the claims against Andrew are struck from US civil court records following a federal judge's ruling.

- 2019

Newly released legal documents show that Johanna Sjoberg, another alleged Epstein victim, claimed Andrew touched her breast while sitting on a couch inside the US billionaire's Manhattan apartment in 2001.

Buckingham Palace said the allegations are 'categorically untrue'.

Epstein is found dead in his jail cell on August 10, having killed himself after being charged with sex trafficking.

Later that month a pilot on Epstein's private jet claims Andrew was a passenger on past flights with the financier and Ms Roberts.

The Sun newspaper reported that David Rodgers said in a testimony released in August that Epstein, Andrew and the-then 17-year-old travelled to the US Virgin Islands on April 11 2001.

Buckingham Palace describes the evidence statement as having 'a number of inconsistencies' and said that Andrew was on a different continent in some cases.

Following Epstein's death, a statement from the palace says that Andrew is 'appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes'.

Breaking his silence on the issue for the first time since 2015, Andrew then releases a statement on August 24 saying: 'At no stage during the limited time I spent with him (Epstein) did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.' 

On November 16, the prince gave a 'disastrous' BBC interview in which he spoke about his friendship with Epstein and addressed allegations of his own sexual conduct.

He faced a barrage of criticism following his television appearance, with the royal accused of a lack of empathy with Epstein's victims. 

During the interview, Andrew, questioned by Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis, twice stated his relationship with Epstein, who died in jail while facing sex trafficking charges, had some "seriously beneficial outcomes", giving him the opportunity to meet people and prepare for a future role as a trade envoy.

The duke denied he slept with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims, on three separate occasions, twice while she was underage, saying one encounter in 2001 did not happen as he spent the day with his daughter Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking for a party.

The same alleged sexual liaison, which the American said began with the royal sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp, was factually wrong as the duke said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat.

He cast doubt on the authenticity of a picture that appears to show Andrew with his arm around the waist of Mrs Giuffre, when a teenager.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7730449/Prince-Charles-prepares-leadership-Royals-Queen-turns-95.html?ico=pushly-notifcation-small
Queen BANS Prince Andrew from meeting Donald Trump  
As US president Donald Trump prepares to visit the UK on Tuesday, the Queen is thought to have banned Prince Andrew from meeting him.

The Duke has not been named by Buckingham Palace on the list of Royals who will be attending the welcome.
Trump will be welcomed by the royals next week 
Both the Queen and the Prince of Wales will be in attendance as well as the Duchess of Cambridge.
It comes after Prince Andrew's interview on the BBC received backlash as he failed to show sympathy to Jeffrey Epstein's victims.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7697571/No-10-advisor-claims-Prince-Andrew-used-n-woodpile-slur.html?ico=pushly-notifcation-small
Now Prince Andrew is at centre of RACISM storm: Sri Lankan No 10 advisor claims embattled Duke used 'n***** in the woodpile' slur during 2012 Buckingham Palace meeting
By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:41, 18 November 2019 | UPDATED: 11:42, 18 November 2019
Prince Andrew was today accused of using the phrase 'n***er in the woodpile' during a meeting at Buckingham Palace with a British Asian adviser to No 10.

Rohan Silva, who worked for David Cameron, has blasted the Duke of York and said he was left 'reeling at the prince's use of language' in 2012.

Mr Silva, who is a tech expert who also writes for the Evening Standard, told the newspaper that he met Andrew and asked him if he felt the Government 'could be doing a better job' on boosting trade with the world.

Andrew then allegedly responded: 'Well, If you'll pardon the expression, that really is the n***** in the woodpile', upsetting Mr Silva, who is of Sri Lankan descent. 

It came as Andrew's reputation took a major battering over his disastrous interview with the BBC on Saturday where he floundered as he was asked to explain his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and claims he had sex with one of his young 'slaves'.

Mr Silva claims that the Duke used the 'offensive' N-word in 2012 .  

Buckingham Palace sources have told the Standard there is no way Andrew ever used the phrase or any similar language.

But Mr Silva, 38, told the newspaper: 'I walked blinking into the sunshine outside Buckingham Palace, reeling at the prince's use of language.

He added: 'For a long time afterwards I kicked myself for not confronting the prince on his choice of words — and it's something I still regret today. After all, he clearly wasn't taken to task very often by the people around him, which meant offensive language went unchallenged.' 

Share or comment on this article: No 10 advisor claims Prince Andrew used 'n***** in the woodpile' slur

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7682231/Confirmed-Meghan-Harry-WONT-spending-Christmas-Queen-Sandringham.html?ico=pushly-notifcation-small
Confirmed: Meghan and Harry WON'T be spending Christmas with the Queen and will spend the holidays with her mother Doria Ragland in the US instead
Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not travel to Sandringham with other royals
Palace spokesman confirmed they will spend festive break with Doria, 63 
They added that the couple 'have the support of the Queen' despite tensions  
By ROD ARDEHALI and RICHARD SPILLETT FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 18:22, 13 November 2019 | UPDATED: 18:51, 13 November 201
Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be spending Christmas with the Queen. 

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie will instead be spending the festive break with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and not at Sandringham with the other royals. 

The couple have the 'support of the Queen' with regards to their plans, as Kate and William have spent Christmas with her parents in the past, a palace spokesman said. 

The Sussexes six-week break is likely to begin with Thanksgiving, which they will also spend in America and this year falls on November 28.  

Royal watchers feared the move could worsen tensions between the couple and the rest of the royal family, following recent from comments from Harry that he and his brother were 'on different paths at the moment.' 

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie (pictured together in South Africa) will be spending the festive season with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and not at Sandringham with the Queen and the other royals +7
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie (pictured together in South Africa) will be spending the festive season with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and not at Sandringham with the Queen and the other royals 

The couple have the 'support of the Queen' (pictured) with regards to their plans, as other members of the family have done the same in the past +7
Pictured: Doria Ragland is pictured with Meghan the day before her wedding last year +7
The couple have the 'support of the Queen' (left) with regards to their plans, as other members of the family have done the same in the past. Pictured right: Doria Ragland and daughter Meghan before her wedding last year 
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Two years ago, Meghan joined the Royal Family for her first Christmas at Sandringham and the couple were seen putting on a united front with William and Kate

A palace spokesman said this evening: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month.

'Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess' mother Doria Ragland.

'This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.' 

The Sussexes, who will be taking a six-week break after Sunday when Harry, 35, attends a Royal Albert Hall event, will likely travel to the US and spend Thanksgiving with Doria, 63.

It had been thought they would return to Sandringham for Christmas but they have now informed Her Majesty, 93, they will not be joining her and Prince Philip, 98, this year. 

Meghan and Harry have spent the last two Christmases at the royal estate in Norfolk. 

Phil Dampier, author of the book Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, told MailOnline: 'If they had something else lined up, like a big family Christmas with her family and it was their turn, you could understand them dropping out, rather like William and Kate sometimes spend the day with the Middletons. 

'But of course Meghan is estranged from everyone in her family apart from her mother, who they will probably see during their six-week break. 

'So if they just don't want to be with the Queen and the rest of the royals it is very telling and worrying. 

'Maybe they will have time to reflect on their problems in the coming weeks and hopefully realise that thinking of themselves as victims and outsiders is not helping anyone. 

'All families have their tensions at Christmas of course but this one is played out in the eyes of the world.'

He suggested the pair might have a change of heart in the coming weeks and decide to rebuild bridges with other royals come Christmas.

The plans emerged before the Cambridges and Sussexes delighted fans by naming each other in twinned Instagram posts yesterday.

The two couples - once dubbed 'the fab four' - both posted online celebrating the work of Shout - a 24/7 crisis text service - which was launched by both royal couples in May. 

It had been thought they would return to Sandringham for Christmas but they informed Her Majesty, 93, that they will not be joining her and Prince Philip, 98 this year +7
It had been thought they would return to Sandringham for Christmas but they informed Her Majesty, 93, that they will not be joining her and Prince Philip, 98 this year

Harry's plans emerged this morning after a royal source said: 'They need some time away to recharge and decide their plans for next year.' 

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Sun: 'Christmas at Sandringham can be quite stressful so perhaps they don't want to go with Archie at such a young age.

'Having said that, Sandringham has played host to many many children through the ages and is well set up for them.

'I think it's sad they don't want to be part of the family gathering, particularly now the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are in their dotage.

'The Queen might be a little hurt but she's far too gracious to ever let it show or be known.'   

Harry has always spent Christmas at the Queen's Norfolk home, barring 2012 when he was serving in Afghanistan. 

For the past two years he has been joined by Meghan, 38, who alongside him also skipped the royals' annual holiday in Balmoral this year.   

Ms Seward added: 'It does seem to be nothing to do with Archie and to do with their own personal feelings.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will both be at Sandringham with George, six, Charlotte, four and Louis, one.