Prince Harry was the “good son” this year. He did the full royal Christmas at Sandringham, including a church stroll and spending time with his extended family. Harry is especially close to his cousin Zara Tindall, and I suspect he probably spent a lot of time trying to cheer her up. Plus, Harry actually gets along with his dad, and I’m sure Charles enjoyed having Harry there. Harry also participated in the annual pheasant hunt on the day after Christmas, which is organized by his grandfather. It was widely believed that Harry would be jetting off to see Meghan Markle as soon as his family-Christmas duties were over, but it looks like Harry’s not ready to leave England quite yet. The Daily Mail had an exclusive story about Harry spending Wednesday in London with his friend and “second father” Mark Dyer.
Prince Harry held a lengthy afternoon meeting in London with the man dubbed his ‘second father’ on Wednesday – while his girlfriend wrapped up in the cold in Canada. The Prince was seen laughing with Mark Dyer, a former Army officer who is one of his closest friends at a pub in Sands End, South West London, as the two shared cocktails and a bottle of red wine.
The meeting comes amid growing belief in the strength of the romance between the Prince and Meghan Markle, the 35-year-old American star of legal drama Suits. She was seen in Toronto wrapped up against freezing temperatures, and had dinner with her mother on Tuesday night at one of the city’s hottest restaurants. Markle last saw Harry, 32, before Christmas when they spent time together in London.
The prince spent Christmas day at Sandringham, the Queen’s country home in Norfolk, and is understood to have been there on Boxing Day when it is royal tradition to go shooting. It is unclear when he will next see Markle, who had returned to her home in Toronto to spend Christmas with her mother, Doria Radlan.
The Prince spent more than an hour and a half at the Sands End pub with Dyer. He left with his bodyguard after dusk fell. One onlooker said: ‘They had their heads down most of the time as if they really wanted to keep their chat private. They laughed and joked a bit, like they were old mates. Harry’s bodyguard was also on the table as they talked. When Harry left he thanked the bar staff and was very polite.’
Dyer has been one of the key figures in the Prince’s life since childhood. The former Welsh Guards officer was an equerry to Prince Charles at the time of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the prince asked him to keep an eye on the young princes. It earned him the nickname ‘Harry’s second father’ for the close eye he kept on the younger of the two princes – although he is also a good friend of Prince William and was a guest at his and the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding. Since his time as equerry he has been a mentor, source of guidance and is now a close friend who has been instrumental in a series of key moments in his life.
I believe that Harry understands the protocol that is expected of him if and when he decides to marry. If his future wife is Meghan, I believe he would want to introduce Meghan to the Queen before the proposal even happens. Meghan has reportedly already met Prince Charles too. So now I wonder if Harry has already introduced Mark Dyer and Meghan, and if Harry was seeking Mark’s advice about proposals and marriage and love. Who knows? I really do hope that Harry and Meghan reconnect soon though.
Here’s the photo of Meghan and her mom in Toronto this week:
Meghan Markle steps out for post-Christmas yoga with her mom https://t.co/klquLoYQr2 via @PeopleRoyals pic.twitter.com/66aIJODKhR
— People Magazine (@people) December 28, 2016
Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.
Well, you know how I feel about RF protocol….its such pointless arcane nonsense. Live and let live, queenie. I bet they talked marriage. 2017 is your year, Harry.
I doubt he’d talk marriage in a public place where they could be overheard. If he wanted advice on that, he’d invite Dyer over to his cottage at Kensington for a private talk.
What’s this about Harry balking out of meeting Meghan’s mother at Christmas? Or even the days after? I don’t think that is a good sign at all.. this has the chance of going nowhere, built up by the press..
The Christmas traditions of the BRF are very well known. I never read anything about him skipping out on meeting her mom. Wasn’t he in Toronto last week? He’s probably already met her. If she’s met Charles, I’m sure he’s met her mom.
Honk! Nice that he is close to his dad but probably crucial that he has a confidant/sounding board who understands the firm/courtiers/ machinations but is not a part of it.
My gut feeling tells me that Harry won’t marry Meghan… but who knows.
I agree. I just don’t see this family sitting with the Queen for a tea.
Um. Why not?
What is it about “this family” that makes you think they couldn’t sit for a tea with the queen?
I have a feeling that the Queen might be more tolerant toward “this family” than you are.
damn @BOM
Meghan is really that un-tea-drinkable, because she has a boho black mom and is older than PH
soooo…. do you see the queen having tea with the next faceless 120 blonde 23-something aristocratic girls??? THOUGHTS????
I am sure that BOM meant the Queen would not be able to keep up her end of the conversation with this highly educated and worldly family. I am sure that is what she or he meant to say.
@bom
Lol! This family is more educated than the entire royal family put together. I am sure they could hold up their end of a conversation. I’d be more worried about Harry’s relatives
He’s already done two things he hasn’t done before – 1) publicly acknowledged he’s dating someone early in the game and 2) attempted to protect her albeit clumsily.
This feels different. It isn’t a childhood romance, it isn’t a romance with a younger friend of his cousin. They’re both older, he’s talked about wanting to get married and have kids. Could be he’s ready to be all in with this relationship. Will they marry, I have no idea, but I see it as a definite possibility.
There’s been a precedent fit him to speak out before. He’s publicly acknowledged Chelsy and defended her in his interview for his birthday so many years back. I think Harry doesn’t play his cards quite as close to his chest as William does, and if he feels people are being unfair to someone he cares about he speaks out.
He received a lot of negative comments for that statement…
@JustSaying – Comments like yours seem to be popping up a lot. I don’t get it. What is the purpose of pointing out that a certain demographic posts negative comments about Harry / Meghan? Are you implying that since Daily Mail commenters are negative about the relationship, they shouldn’t date? Because with all due respect, we can read and see that this relationship has hit a nerve with certain folks — it’s obvious, sad, and concerning.
@Odette:
I think it would have been better if he didn’t make a statement. They should have tried to keep their relationship a secret even though it’s hard for a prince.
The acknowledgement of Chelsy didn’t come until years into the relationship, not months. It wasn’t a formal (but verbose) Palace statement acknowledging the relationship and warning any-and-all that the rampant racism won’t be tolerated.
Harry’s popularity with the British public has taken a significant dive since he released that statement. His tour of the Caribbean wasn’t covered as much as it should have been. Some of them refused to go bc of his statement. Let’s be honest, there are people who don’t like Meghan because of her mixed heritage. There are also many people who don’t like her because she is an American actress who LOVES attention.
If it weren’t for her posting pics on social media giving hints and leaking this relationship, no one would have known they were together. Its obvious. She wanted the attention and she wanted everyone to know she was dating a prince.
This is the issue many people have: Harry released that statement for the press and media to leave her alone and she continues looking for attention and releasing PR stories. He looks like an idiot after all that. I wonder if someone had a talk with her since she stopped posting on her IG. She’s been doing non stop PR to shift the negativity and change her image. People see through that.
I will say that she is really beautiful.
Gorgeous smile but I’m not sure she is genuine. There is something about her that puts me off–Amber Heard type of thing.
If this relationship does go the distance, I hope it’s genuine from both sides. She has a long road ahead of her.
Assumption after assumption after assumption. No proof that she or her people leaked the relationship. People are inferring whatever they want into her IG postings, no matter what her intentions may have been.
He didn’t release a statement saying “leave her alone and leave my private life alone”. He issued a statement that confirmed their relationship and that took media (and people online) to task for rampant, unchecked racism. For the unrelenting negative behavior towards her family members, who are being harassed by the press when they have nothing to do with this relationship.
No one connected to royals loves media attention more than Kate Middleton and her family. Markle has a long, long, long way to go to get close to what those folks have done for 16+ years.
Sorry Nota I disagree. Just because he did that does not mean she’s the one.
OK, can someone explain to me why people think the relationship should remain secret? Why is it a bad thing for the princes to have girlfriends? Or, more precisely, why is it important that nobody know who his girlfriend is? He lives a public life. Who he is dating will eventually become public. What’s the big deal? And now that they are dating, should she hide?
It’s funny. When its convenient, some people will wring their hands over the intrusive, privacy stealing paparazzi. But when it’s someone they irrationally dislike, all of a sudden there is no such thing as intrusive paparazzi, and the celebrity is the one, who is so desperate for attention, that she has to plan photo-ops on the dL. (I understand that some celebrities do plan pap-strolls, but there is zero evidence that she does.) Does she have to stop taking yoga because she’s dating a prince? Again, why does she have to hide, now that she is dating a prince? Someone explain this to me, please! (Seriously! I just can’t wrap my head around the argument.)
She is an actress, with a side “lifestyle” brand — like many, many, many other actresses these days. (Sure, I can see how the whole lifestyle brand thing could irk some people. Fine. I think the phenomenon is rather bizarre myself, but hey, this is what a lot of people do nowadays.) But that is different than insisting she is an attention monster.
The way people talk about her you’d think she was one of those stage moms from Toddlers-n-Tiara, or 2005 Paris Hilton. Hardly the case.
Ruby, I’m British and that is utter, utter nonsense. Harry’s only “decline in popularity” has been amongst Internet trolls and Tumblr fangurls.
@Ruby She’s in this for the long haul, there is no way she’s the one leaking stories. Do you read Lainey? There’s a reason the US tabloids have been getting the exclusives and it’s got nothing to do with Meghan.
Also, I’ve seen British media describe her as a famous American actress and I’d just like to point out that 1) she lives in Canada and 2) she’s got no name recognition in the US, even now. She was known exclusively to people who watch Suits, which isn’t on a main network and is mostly unknown to American audiences. People seem to want to delegitimize her for being a famous actress, but she went to Northwestern, a fantastic and exclusive University in Chicago. She’s very bright.
@nota: obviously his acknowledgment of Chelsy isn’t exactly the same thing and wasn’t to call out racism being flung her way. She’s a rich, white woman. I wasn’t trying to downplay his public statement or their relationship. I just don’t understand why people are so surprised that Harry did that when he’s done a similar thing in the past. It’s clearly in his nature to stand up for people he cares about.
Will they get married? Only Harry and Meghan can comment on that. Everything else is just speculation on our part.
Someone has also got to explain this whole “outing the relationship on social media” narrative. Meghan posted a picture of two bananas, and then all of a sudden everyone knew she was dating Prince Harry?
It’s fairly obvious that the “roll out” was done through the press, and was planned by both Harry and Meghan. They dated for months, without anyone the wiser, and for whatever reason, decided to finally take it public — probably because hiding a relationship is a pointless waste of energy.
Harry mentioning Chelsy in an interview years later vs. the Palace issuing a formal statement are vastly different. That’s what makes this different. Don’t know if they will marry or not, likely they don’t know right now either. But that official Palace statement *is* an enormous departure and hasn’t been done for any of his relationships before.
Where’s Kitty? I think Sarah copped her line.
Sarah’s and Ruby’s.
lol
Yes I’m feeling Kitty’s absence but there seems to be a proxy!
You know it is possible that he had a conversation with a man he’s known for years and not have it be about Meghan right? Not everything that he does in his life has to be about her and their relationship (and vice versa for Meghan). Everyone needs to relax about a possible marriage. If it happens, they’ll announce it.
No. Nobody knows that. You’re the only one. /sarcasm
Well, the comments on the DM article were full of hate for Meg.
https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/who-you-hate-depends-on-how-smart-you-are-study-finds?utm_source=vicetwitteruk
DM commenters are pro-Trump, pro any far-right party, anti-muslim, anti any foreigner tbh. So them hating on Meghan is not surprising.
The fact that some believe that they are representative of UK in general makes me laugh.
DM has always been right wing and Xenophobic. This is not news. Their raison d’etre is to be outraged at everything different.
Sorry you only noticed it with this election cycle.
I hope he does marry her. In a full court royal press. Or secretly in Vegas. Or on a beach in Big Sur. Or in Africa, at Sentebale.
Whatever will cause the most outrage, I am for.
Appropo of nothing, but Toronto looks like a darn cold place for two Angelenos to be spending Christmas!
I’m still fantasising the end of the Fail by spontaneous combustion if they marry and for this reason, I’m all for it. Also, flying Elvi.
The Flying Elvi must make an appearance. It will be the Yankee contribution.
It’s all going to be marvellous, isn’t it? I think the Elvi need a target landing pad painting on the top of the golden coach.
Everything goes better with Flying Elvi.
The Elvi are definitely up to landing on the golden coach. I think of it as a ballet, each one landing one at a time, and then jumping gently off as the next approaches.
Clearly, I have spent far too much time thinking about this.
I have also spent far too much time thinking about this…
… and! OMG! Benjamin Millepied can be called in to organise the balletic Elvi! This is shaping up so well.
But there must also be swans. There must always be swans. Perhaps each Flying Elvis can descend with a swan?
I am weeping with delight over the idea of a balletic Flying Elvi exhibition on the top of the golden coach. Good thing indeed Millipied is available as organizing such a thing is beyond my abilities.
We will work lightpurple’s swans in there somehow, too.
What about swans in the fountains in Trafalgar Square, if LAK gets her Christmas wish for St-Martin-in-the-Fields?
If there will be swans, they must be the choux pastry kind. So romantical.
On a sour note, as much as I like this pairing, I have increasing doubts that their marriage would last.
Correct me if I’ve got my facts wrong here…
-Her first marriage ended after less than two years and she had dated Trevor 7 years before marrying him, so it wasn’t like they didn’t know each other well. She wasn’t 21 when she got married either.
-She’d likely have to give up her acting career which would be tough on her sense of identity.
-She’s not used to having all the restrictions that come with being a royal — not being able to go where you want when you want without the world knowing about it — and having to go the extra mile to try and keep some semblance of privacy, would be a hard adjustment to make permanently.
In short, if she had trouble staying married to a guy she’d known for 10 years, how is she going to handle the unique challenges of being a part of the BRF??
Queen Letizia of Spain dated a man for a decade. Short (less than two year marriage) followed. She met and married Felipe within a year of meeting him. They’ve been happily married for 12 years. She had a high-profile career as a journalist, reported from places like Ground Zero and Iraq. Named top journalist under 30 in Spain, top of her field. Used to her freedom, traveling, and doing what she wants. She continues to be her own person and pursues her interests, including films and concerts which she attends in her personal time with friends.
I hear ya, NOTA. I think Letizia & Felipe are the exception and that this sort of situation doesn’t usually end well. The odds are certainly against them and if they’ve beaten them, then good on ’em.
I don’t know squat about the Spanish monarchy. Is it more “flexible” than the British one? I wonder if Letizia is given more freedom to pursue her interests than British royals are and therefore is happier as Queen. Regardless, I think if someone sees their royal duties as being their calling and wants to take it on, it would make the many downsides of being in the BRF tolerable.
My take is that the only woman that would put up with being a part of the BRF is a social climber who wants nothing more than to be at the top of that ladder. They would accept all the BRF crap in order to have their dream of being a royal. I didn’t peg Meghan as that kind of gal.
I think *if* Meghan makes it to the alter and marries Harry, it will be shocking if they don’t end up in divorce within 10 years. But I would love to be proven wrong!
Being the superficial type, I don’t care if they divorce. So long as I get flying Elvi (and swans), I’m not bothered if they split up on the honeymoon.
Also: since I’ve just watched Cunk on Christmas (Bonzo, do not miss it), I nominate Philomena to do the documentary on the nuptials.
Sixer, you are COLD AS ICE. I don’t want them to divorce, so I guess it’s in MY best interest that they not marry in the first place. Just have a lovely time together until she decides to cut the poor prince loose.
I won’t miss Cunk if she’s back on. I loved her Will Shakes show. Currently, I’m sucked into The Bridge (finally!!) and tho’ I think they overdo the autism traits a bit, I love Saga and Martin as a pair. He’s her perfect counterpart. I’m currently binge watching it in hopes of squeezing in Scott & Bailey before my two weeks free is up on Hulu!!
The Spanish royal family is far more strict. So Philip, Sophie Wessex, Autumn, Mike Tindall, Winkelman, Tim Laurence — they are all enormous social climbers? Couldn’t be they fell in love and that person happened to be royal?
Bonzo – I don’t actually wish it or anything. Just indifferent to anything that happens after the nuptials. I have been so weepy over Christmas that I think I would have been a revelation to you. I have to be a blue meanie SOMEWHERE!
Charlie Brooker’s 2016 Wipe is also worth watching, in a grimly funny way. Here’s the Cassetteboy contribution to it (on Trump): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmMUznSig3I And of course, it also has Cunk contributions.
Also: To Walk Invisible, about the Bronte sisters, was written by Sally Wainwright. Not watched it yet, though.
@ Indira When aren’t they? The best rated comments are the ones hating on her and what I’m not surprised about is that quite a lot of this people are Americans
Hmm…i hope they dont get engaged until at least 2 years together but I wouldn’t wish marrying into the BRF to my worst enemy.I like Meghan but why on earth would she want to give up her already amazing life for this?
Unless she think Harry is really ,really worth it -which I doubt he is,then she should cut her losses and leave.
This is the point that I keep shouting – it is more her choice and her life to lose. But she may well be up for it – if she is, I think she could make a great contribution.
But first the wedding with the Flying Elvi.
She’s done a lot of charity work and philanthropy is something that is obviously important to her. Imagine how much more she could do with the platform the BRF could give her. Yes, the arcane protocols and constant scrutiny would suck but she would have access to heads of state, NGOs, the UN, etc.
I’d love to see her marry into the family and then put Lazy Katie and Workshy Wills to shame because I think she’d dive into the royal duties with gusto and style.
This is what I would like, Gatita.
A few days ago it was 14 Celsius. Now it’s back to around 1 degree Celsius. That’s not really cold for winter in Canada. Meghan is wearing toques but it’s not really that cold for toque weather. She is showing her LA roots there.
14 C and 1C isn’t cold???? Heck I live in Northern California and it’s been in the 30-40’s here and I’m freezing.
I live in Toronto and it is cold. I thought she would go LA for Xmas. Does her Mom live in Toronto too? I think Meghan is a free spirit, unlike our girl Kate, and I think she might have difficulty giving up all she has for the staid BRF.
Toronto *is* cold, winter came back this week and it’s been grey and raw.
Actually, the weather here in Toronto has been rather mild for the past week. On Tuesday it
was about 12C and rained. Toronto does have cold spells, but it ain’t Alberta. Or Minnesota. Look on a map.
I live southeast of Toronto and it is cold here. Our weather has varied over the last few days, but there have been days when it is quite objectively cold.
Any city that has an entire concourse underground for citizens to avoid inclement weather tends to be colder, regardless of what it is and what it ain’t.
As a Canadian, that photo is not of a cold day. If it were cold, you’d see gloves and scarves over faces not open necked jacket with no scarf & bare hands! 😉
I think she fits his life and interests perfectly. Love them as a couple.
Well, except for the huntin’ shootin’ fishin’ country livin’ stuff. But they can compromise.
She’s an actress. Bet she could do a great job of faking it.
Ehh, none of that stuff was Diana’s cup of tea either. And she made sure people knew it. I think if Meghan is smart (which she seems to be), she’ll either learn to live and let live or just keep quiet about her distaste for it.
Me too, I think they are too cute. The Mail is eating her alive in the comments. She’s a cutie pie <3
OT:
Is it true that Prince William wanted to marry Tess Shepherd and/or Isabella Calthorpe but they didn’t want him and that’s why he went back to Kate?
yes.
Tess Shepherd was a rando hookup in a club, never a potential spouse. Isabella, yes.
I believe she got the publicity she needed that put her name out there. Her name was one of the most googled in 2016 and IMO she won’t give up a acting career and Hollywood, that she has worked hard for ,to marry so quickly after a divorce. If she is even divorced. I work for a divorce attorney and it can take a few years to divide assets. Then, if she decides to marry again there would be a prenup between Meghan and Harry that would take awhile to negotiate.
At least Harry fulfilled his family obligations at Christmas unlike some others. I don’t know much about Meghan Markle as I have never watched Suits. From what I have read about her she seems like a modern, hard-working woman who would have to give up quite a lot of freedom to live in the royal family. She should be an asset to them though if she decides this is what she wants.
I kind of love them together. But watching this I think Megan’s too bright to marry in to this family. She probably likes Harry now, he’s charming and seems really into her. But I think she is a bit too intelligent and independent to be satisfied with the life she would have with him. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qtl9mnEoZUY
I kind of feel sorry for him because it’s clear he’s into independently minded women and those aren’t the ones who would jump into a marriage with a Royal.
I think their bond is more about wanting to do good and help people. And there are studies that say the happiest marriages are those where the woman is more intelligent than the man. I’ve read excerpts from her website and she seems to really love things like dressing up, afternoon tea, handwritten letters, and things that make me think she’s the type to really value the kind of traditions you’d find in the BRF.
I, too, took a peek at her website, and yes, she kinda seems perfect for the role. And I bet she’d do a bang-up job, because the woman is clearly not afraid of work. Not to be too much of a fan girl, but I find her kinda inspiring, just in that she really seems to love life, and built herself a nice life.
I agree and find it commendable that Harry likes independent women who have goals of their own. I can see Meghan being less fazed by Royal life than Chelsy and Cressida just because she is older and more mature. Not that Chelsy and Cressida were immature but there is a big difference between 25 and 35.
I hope that these two make it work just because I find her dynamic and it would be fun to see Harry as an adoring husband.
+ 1 Tourmaline
Yeah, she reminds me of Chelsey a bit. Very independent. I just hope Harry doesn’t get hurt.
I just really, really want them to get married and restore some relevancy to the BRF- the queen has been pretty absent over the last weeks and I think her absence has been very obviously felt- ffs people are even speculTing that she is no longer of the world! Just imagine if they did marry- he would bring his charm, world fame, connections and general warmth and she would magic it up with her links to NGOs and sparkly personality and genuine desire to do something good and positive to help people. What a force for good they could be. Will daydream about that while the world goes to crap with Brexit and trump…
When I look at him I think dirty thoughts. That’s all I’ve got.
Well damn😍😍😍
http://chicentral.net/prince-harry-covers-town-country-magazine-princeharry-towncountry/
I like her. I think she’s been very smart about this relationship. I don’t think I can agree with others who say that she should have been more discreet about it or just kept it quiet until such time that they’re sure they will marry. I think the risk with that is that the press might have gotten wind of it and released the details, which would mean that they are no longer in control of the narrative. Everything they’ve done so far has been firm on the idea that they will be the ones setting the tone for how this relationship will be covered. I’m not a fan of how the press has been handled thus far, but I don’t think it’s remiss of Harry to ask them to be respectful, and I think he knows better than anyone just how disgusting the tabloids can be in Britain, especially on issues of race.
I know that folks aren’t a fan of how it seems like Megan is courting the press, but I do want to take into consideration that 1) she’s a communications major and 2) she’s an actress. Courting the press and using her social media platforms to stay relevant and remain in the public eye is what all actresses do (except a select few). She’s been doing this since before she got married to Harry. She knows the press game, and she plays it, and I honestly can’t fault her for it since that’s been a part of her job for a while now. She’s fairly intelligent, and understands the necessity of building a public image, which is what she’s doing right now. The RF needs someone who’s bright enough to at least understand the mechanics of that, and I think she does. And I think it would be great for the RF to finally have someone marry into the family who has that understanding–it means that there is a smaller likelihood of bungling it up a la Willy & The Middletons.
If nothing else, she could at least give Poor Jason some pointers. Or maybe even replace him. Wouldn’t that be something? 😛
+1 on the whole courting the press thing.
I can’t stop following this even though I’m not a royal watcher. I like her because she appears to be smart, sophisticated, and beautiful. And she’s mixed! Woohoo! 🙂
That being said, part of me is getting Markle fatigue. I can’t imagine the press camping out at an airport hoping to catch a glimpse of her mom. Someone must have tipped them off. Before the flurry of stories about how family-oriented she is there was actually a blind saying “they”* were about to start a PR campaign to adjust her image away from divorcee actress. Within a day a bunch of stories came out.
I wouldn’t like someone milking the publicity…but it occurred to me that perhaps he’s cool with it. He’s a public figure, after all. Maybe he gave her/her PR team the greenlight. Heck, maybe it was even his idea!
* It wasn’t clear who this referred to.