While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are “doing their duty” and vacationing at Balmoral with the Queen – who likely bribed them to come – Prince Harry is still on vacation with Meghan Markle. Meghan and Harry set off for Botswana in the first week of August, and it’s widely believed that they are still there. Harry will need to end his vacation at some point though – he’s due in Canada for the Invictus Games next month, and Meghan is due back at work too, I think. So they’ll probably be ending their vacation this week or next. And maybe we’ll get an engagement announcement at some point in September? Who knows?
While we wait for Meghan Markle to show up with a giant diamond ring, the Daily Express has a somewhat interesting story about how Harry has been picking Meghan up from the airport this whole time. Huh.
Prince Harry has been collecting his girlfriend Meghan Markle directly from the tarmac at Heathrow airport in a growing sign of the seriousness of their relationship, it has been claimed. The Prince has pulled strings to ensure the American actress can walk straight from the plane steps to his waiting Audi RS6 when she lands in London, bypassing the usual passport queues. Sources at Heathrow claim the Suits star has been whisked away by Harry on a number of occasions, most recently when she arrived from her home town of Toronto for Pippa Middleton’s wedding in May.
One insider said Harry, 32, instigated the new arrangements after the 36-year-old kept being photographed at Terminal 2, where Air Canada operates.
“It’s been happening for a while,” said a well-placed source. “Harry has a police escort on the tarmac in his black Audi RS6. He is accompanied by a bodyguard, with a people carrier following behind. Meghan usually only carries hand luggage. If she does check a suitcase into the hold it is put on last so it can be located as quickly as possible. All the necessary security checks must be carried out in advance or onboard because she walks straight from the plane steps to Harry’s car.”
Another insider claimed the couple had been offered use of the Windsor Suite, where VIPs are escorted directly to their aircraft after being security-screened away from the masses, but Harry decided to make his own arrangements. The source added: “It costs £3,000 a time to use the Windsor Suite so it is quite expensive.”
Of all William and Harry’s “I WANNA BE NORMAL” whinging, I find this kind of thing to be the least offensive. Harry wants to be the kind of normal boyfriend who picks up his girlfriend at the airport, like a normal couple. Harry can’t do it the normal way, so he finds a way to do it anyway rather than just sending a car for her or whatever. As for the breathlessness of “this is a sign of how serious they are!”… like, the British papers get that he’s probably proposing to Meghan in Botswana right now, correct? We don’t have to look for “signs.” They are currently on a romantic, month-long vacation together and most people believe he’s proposing.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
How can she travel to see her bf with only one hand luggage?
I’ve done 16 days of travel with just hand luggage. Skilled packing and access to a laundry is all you need.
Because Harry has obviously cleaned out a drawer for her! More seriously, it would be easy for her to keep a wardrobe in London along with toiletries so she can travel lite.
I actually went on safari to Botswana in 2014 and I just had one duffel bag and my shoulder bag. It can be done, if you pack smart. Like Megan said: skilled packing + access to laundry.
Slight aside: Botswana is amazing, I loved it there! If he ever is going to pop the question (and honestly, I don’t care either way), that’s the place to do it.
Nestled under a blanket, listening to the national anthem swell at the beginning of the Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency was when I decided that I couldn’t die without seeing Botswana…
Seeing that awesome country and being invited to a braai was what did it for me lol
Her shampoo is already in his shower. She comes for short trips so she only needs a few outfits. You can cram a lot of stuff in a carryon and a big Goyard tote bag.
She probably has clothes and stuff that she leaves at his palace.
Although some people are able to stuff everything in carry on luggage. I’m not one of them which is why I fly southwest airlines for domestic travel. It is much easier and I don’t have to deal with as many selfish jerks who think they can take all the overhead bin space.
I travel like Diana Ross even for a weekend getaway.
I recall reading a story in January/February that she had had some of clothes shipped over when she spent her 3 month hiatus at his place, so she probably has clothes in his closet 🙂
Because my tax dollars have been used to buy her a second set of whatever she needs in the UK.
How do you know? Why wouldn’t she have used her own $$? The question to ask is about any special costs to British taxpayers about security, transportation etc. but clothes? She works; she can buy her own as she has all along.
And that is my issue with whole royal family. Apart from acting like they are better they are filthy rich and lazy.
Also, what about security? Oh yes. No one is above the law. Except whole crown and other shady billioners.
I do not get why people want to see her as a part of the firm. She will lose identity. She will become Kate or Camilla. Always in his shadow. And that is the protocol.
@milla
But those things would be true regardless of who he marries with exception to living in the shadow. Which all depends on personality. I think royal consorts have the potential to outshine their spouse.
Sophie outshines Edward and he never seems to mind. Diana and Sarah outshone their husbands; Charles cared, I don’t think Andrew did. Sophie was a fully-functioning solo adult when they married, which goes a long way towards doing well in this strange career.
From what I see the women tend to outshine the men, no matter which one is the consort or married-in. It could be we find women more interesting (fashion, historic jewels), who knows? In most cases, attention is paid to Maxima, Letizia, Mary, Marie, Charlene, Sophie, Victoria, etc. but not their spouses. Victoria is the only one of that list who is the heir not married-in.
Victoria/Daniel and Felipe/Letizia are the most evenly matched in the charisma departments IMO, with Philippe/Mathilde being equally bland.
It can be done, and don’t forget that she probably has some things she’s left at his place. Same for him having some things at her place. It’s what long distance couples do.
Yup. I was longs distance for a year and we could both jump on a plane with a very small bag or tote. You can buy stuff at either end, anyway, if needed.
MM has a full wardrobe at Kensington Palace, I would think. Or else her luggage from her private jet rides will be delivered by RPOs to Kensington Palace in a second Audi or Land Cruiser.
My packing goes like this – throw everything in and then zip. If it won’t zip, then take out non-essentials, such as leather shoes and handbags if traveling to Italy, sweaters and raincoats for Great Britain, or bathing suits in Caribbean. “Non-essentials” that you need to buy wherever you go.
Filed this under: whooooo caresssssss
Someone wake me up when she has a ring FFS
I’m right there with you. The will he/won’t he is getting tired. Put a ring on it already.
I don’t think there’s a won’t anywhere near this. The only question in my mind is when it will be announced.
Yup yup yup Bluhare.
At least you’re not being subjected to an entire day of news reports expressing SHOCK! HORROR! at the non-bonging of Big Ben.
Sometimes – only sometimes?! – living in Britain is the most infuriating thing ever.
lol I saw the story last night I think.
And I’m SHOCKED AND HORRIFIED that you don’t care about the non-bonging!
I have expended all my (vast) repertoire of swearing words on bonging today. The frickin’ MPs all came out and bowed their bloody heads, FFS.
IT’S A CLOCK. NOT A PHALLIC SYMBOL OF OUR MANLY, MANLY NATION.
“But what will we do if it’s not back in time for New Year?”
“No idea, you fuckwits. I, for one, will be pissed.”
Oh yes we are. NPR and BBC World have been covering it for days. I had no idea there was such bonging mania in this world.
Seen on Twitter: why didn’t they do this after the fire at Grenfell Tower?
If you need a phallic symbol for the duration, borrow the Washington Monument. We’re not sure what it stands for at the moment and can loan it out.
Bloody hell. It’s GLOBAL mourning over non-bonging.
The fabric of society is crumbling around us, amirite?
One of the loveliest moments of my life was sitting at a taxi shed thingy having a cup of tea while Big Ben bonged midnight.
I care about the non- bonging!!!!
Broken Britain. The terrorists and EU fat cats have won.
If people are upset enough, do you think they’ll start playing a recording of bonging loudly at the appropriate times? It will be at least, what, three years before it is up and working again?
I bet even the New Year’s Eve fireworks fizzle out in solidarity with the non-bonging.
My boss likes to keep the radio on at work. I listened to people talking about the non-bonging the whole day. They made it sound like Big Ben was never going to chant again. Bloody hell, I thought the non-bonging only would last for 4 years?
I had a good chuckle upon hearing the fuss made over Big Ben not bonging, but then I was SHOCKED to hear that the government was spending tens of millions of dollars to fix it!! How can they think that is okay?!? Priorities, people!!
People can have a sentimental regard for Big Ben for many reasons. My friend’s elderly neighbor happens to be sick, and sad because she knows she probably won’t live to hear it again, and had fond memories taking walks near it with her late husband and son.
It isn’t necessarily some “manly phallic” thing, which I never even thought of. A coworker pointed out that with the Queen being so old, and the world a bit jumpy, even a temp clock shutdown of just an old landmark can feel like the end of an era for some or represent scary change. Perhaps not to you or I, but I can see what she means.
More than once I have by request taken a picture for tourists from places like Tokyo and Rio and NZ with Ben in the background while out with my friends, and I don’t mean Ainsley. 😏It’s in movies, like the Eiffel Tower. So, really, surprised it has an emotional tug for some, or meaning? Surprised people talk of the silencing? I am not surprised at all.
How ever did you survive the 10 years of waiting for William and Kate to finally get engaged?
Lol!!! 😸
Giggles. I know. I want a wedding now! I need some British fluff in my life.
I am down for this wedding.
The marriage will bring vigor, relevance, diversity, and inclusion to the monarchy. Quite a PR coup. Not gonna be cynical……
You’re gonna be keen!
Right ! Terribly keen !
JC, at the word “vigor” all I can hear is the line “John F. Kennedy will bring ‘vigah’ (Boston accent) to the White House.” Boy, did he bring vigah!
Maybe some precursor to viagra, too!
Yep wake me up when the Flying Elvi arrive. Everything else is just filler
Proof positive he IS Charles’s son. He looks just like Prince Phillip in the header photo.
Their sparkle seems to have fizzle out. Where is the ring??
@ViXi – Nonsense. These things have to be timed properly – Britain going through BREXIT contortions and possibly another election by end of year. They’re spending weeks together on vacation, he’s getting her past international procedures on arrival, and you want to know where the sparkle is?! Just give it 3-4 months. And don’t rain on my wager parade.
Actually, I think getting someone past normal international security requirements is a big deal. No passport control? She’s getting treatment the royals get.
It is a very big deal. Once she is royal, it won’t be, but as it stands, it is.
…And diplomats, heads of states and their party
Yeah this sounds implausible to me – I am not an airport expert by any means but I do fly long-haul a lot – you always go through a gate to the airport, right? I can’t ever recall getting off a long haul flight and going down steps to the tarmac?
It’s not so unsual, esp. on shorter flights. Charters and cheap airlines often don’t use gates (costs) as well as private planes (small size of the plane). I even flew Wizzair to London once when we had to step out into taramac in a huge rain storm, no bus to give us a ride into the building. Everyone was soaked by the time we reached it on foot – not a pleasant experience by any means! I will never fly Wizz, no matter what.
I have.
For people who qualify for this treatment, – your driver, car and relevant airport personnel wait on the tarmac to meet you.
Some airlines I’ve flown on offer this kind of treatment if you’re in first class. Etihad, for instance, picks you up from your home, lets you check in away from other people, and drives you (in an Audi) to your gate/plane. Upon landing, you take the stairs to the tarmac and are taken away by and Audi. It’s pretty awesome.
I have before. There are several reasons this happens. Security can be one of the considerations or flying on a smaller plane or flying to an island are some other reasons
He probably finds it romantic.
It is quite possible that a separate set of stairs are wheeled out to the plane so that Meghan can privately alight from the plane and step out on to the tarmac and into a car with her heartthrob Harry waiting inside. So romantic, so galant! I am pleased that Harry is using this measure, so smart. I really love the way this couple have evaded the paps and others and prevented them from making a mint out of taking surreptitious photos.
Thanks (belatedly) for the responses, very interesting! I do business for work and we treat ourselves business home to NZ at Xmas but we clearly need to lift our game haha! I yearn for one of those suites!!
Agree. I think this makes him look bad. Another example of the privileges he gets for a prince/the strings he pulls – and then complaining about being a prince in news articles.
@bluhare – Exactly – and people ask why she’d give up her “independence” for the “stultifying” life of a royal? It’s called Privilege with a capital P. Once you get a glimpse of just how privileged life is inside that circle (so much for “you’d be surprised how normal William and I are . . .”) I’m guessing you find it remarkably easy to imagine putting up with having to wear a hat all the time . . .
And I like hats. I’d love it if they came back as daily wear.
@graymatters – totally agree, especially as (she said modestly) I was born with what is called a “hat face”. But in these casual days, not holding my breath. The hat, as I understand it, stands in for the other headwear associated with royalty: crowns and coronets . . . hence the tradition.
You give up a lot, but are in a position to use your life to help many, and that would be the sole reason it could be worth it. Yes, love too,
I have started wearing a hat for day wear, even though I don’t unfortunately think I have a hat face lol!. I have bought two fedora’s, and I get more respect from strangers when I wear them. I would just love to wear a 1920s cloche, hmm….you have got me thinking…
Global entry is fabulous, plus being TSA approved.
It is obvious that PH is picking up MM at the private plane section at Heathrow. There is no way on G-d’s earth that a large commercial airplane can or will stop on the tarmac (illegal) , open the doors (illegal), put the stairs down (illegal), and let MM walk down, and get into a black Audi with Harry, unless there was a national or medical emergency. You cannot stop for a little prince. The gate times are timed to seconds, stopping has a ripple effect, and it is very dangerous.
I don’t think she is flying on a large commercial airplane. That is something I have never seen and would be very odd.
Well the crew seem to get out very quickly and disappear into oblivion. There are ways and means and we are not privy to all the security operations which airports employ for VIPs, and neither should we be!
PrincessK, I would love to know about the tricks and “security” operations that airports employ for VIPs. I do not include royals, government officials, and people in sensitive positions and roles. But for Hollywood celebrities? Yes, I want to know every detail, especially the excuses from airliners and airports about special treatment given to girlfriends of a prince. However, ordinary citizens can pay for expedited service, plus go through security check lines. I have paid for an airport escort to help me in expediting lines, security and passport, taking me to gates, etc., in Europe and Asia.
If engagement is on the horizon, perhaps Meghan will put in an appearance at IG as part of the preparation for the official announcement.
He sure has a great bod.
Am I understanding this correctly? Harry called in a bunch of favors and used his status to be able to bypass normal boarding/departing procedures so that his girlfriend can travel without getting papped. Except there already existed a safe way to do so for VIPs… he’s just too cheap to pay $3000 a pop to use it.
lol yup!
Or the NEWSPAPER said he called in a bunch of favors…
Maybe there’s a deal here, or maybe it’s being exaggerated.
In any case this is like the couple that decides to get married because somebody’s lease is ending, only in their case it’s because of international travel and paparazzi complications.
@ Vava Kaboom:
If he pays the 3 grand, there’ll be complaints that it’s tax payers money. He negotiates out of it, he’s cheap. He lets her go the normal route with the paps; he loves a fame-whore.
He’s never going to win with some people. 😣😣😣
You are 100% spot on!! I don’t care – I like it!
Ditto.
She could just fly with an airline that provides this service to those in first class for an extra cost, and she or Harry could pick up the tab for that out of their personal funds. Ditto if she needs security. They can pay for private.
No he will never win. This means she may have been sneaking in a lot more than we know.
Bellaggio…you are so right, some people do nothing but moan moan moan…they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
I hope it happens soon. I’m really tired of the summer of Diana, and his brother and wifey are not that interesting.
I dont find these two any more interesting than W&K. What are they supposed to do. Get married so we’re not bored? The royal family is the last place to look for entertainment. And her show is cheesball IMO. The acting and script is not that good.
I’ve been watching Suits since it began, and while this season so far isn’t as good as previous, I really like the show
I disagree with you on this one, Joannie. I think the two of them have the potential to be *much* more interesting than W&K. Although I do agree there isn’t much there yet.
I’m also fatigued with the summer of Diana. American broadcaster CBS aired Diana doc last Friday night. I looked at the dress Gayle King wore and thought: Is that the same yellow dress Kate wore while on tour in Australia?????
Me too. On and on with this summer of Di. It is too much.
For anyone not yet “fatigued” by the summer of Diana. CNN is broadcasting a Diana retrospective this Sunday evening at 9 eastern.
Air Canada operates out of Terminal one Pearson. They used to operate out of Terminal two many years ago when they had all that ugly blue carpeting.
Toronto Pearson still has ugly carpet regardless of terminal or airline!
I think they mean Terminal 2 at Heathrow not when she leaves at Pearson.
But yes, Pearson’s T2 was dated and ugly.
How does picking her up from the plane at Heathrow change the fact that she keeps getting popped in Toronto? Heathrow is not where the problem is.
Papped. Stupid autocorrect.
As a US citizen living in the UK; married to a British citizen, who lived in the US after we were married, I have a big problem with this. Forget security checks, according to this article she isn’t going through immigration. Nobody can travel freely for indefinite periods of time. Many people pay more money than they can afford in order to live with their spouse, and while they’re waiting to meet all accommodation and money criteria, visits are restricted to no more than 6 months spent visiting in a rolling twelve month period. If she’s just getting off a plane and into a car, then she’s not going through the immigration process when she arrives in UK. I would imagine a lot of people would have a problem with that, the same as the whole taxpayer money issue.
Hopefully this is a made up story.
There are standard systems and protocols for dealing with the ‘arrivals paperwork’ ij cases such as this. This applies in most countries and the UK, like most developed countries would have a pretty sophisticated system.
As regards the process, her entry would be/must be recorded in the system regardless of whether she is sat phyically in front of an officer’s desk….
I agree that if she is bypassing customs and immigration then a lot of strings have been pulled. This is more than the airline and airport providing special service. As an American arriving to the UK from Canada, there would normally be someone kind of customs check in.
How ridiculous to believe that she is illegally bypassing immigration? I really don’t know what to say except that people should sometimes try using the brains they were given. Anything to try and throw shade on Meghan I suppose…groan!
I normally couldn’t care less about prince Harry but this is kind of outrageous, no? There’s an existing VIP process but he’s too cheap to pay it so instead he takes a police escort etc and sets up a special “free” process (that no doubt costs us a fortune instead)? Give me a break. This is what’s wrong with the monarchy. So much for being “normal”.
So yay or nay on Megan showing up at Balmoral?
Well, firstly she has already visited Balmoral. FACT. Secondly, it would not be out of the question to speculate that she is there as we speak, it would be a great opportunity for her to meet the ‘firm’. Meghan, has had more contact with the royals than has been made public, and her mothers trip to London raised my eyebrow.
Lunch with Charles and Camilla, right?
Driving onto the tarmac himself with a police escort? That’s too much. WTH.
I like these two together, because. . . . progress. But part of me thinks Harry has a thing for Rachel Zane – Meghan’s FICTIONAL character on Suits – and is just a loved-up fanboy using his toys/position to impress a girl who he’s idealizing.
hmm.
Having worked in airport VIP (not in UK though) i know that this is also official VIP service that airports offer but it exists only for very high ranking VIPs. By no means is it free. If i remember correctly then it was a bit cheaper than using VIP lounge but not for free.