Meghan Markle interview ‘doesn’t appear to be based on fact’ – expert spots major worry - Express

Meghan Markle interview ‘doesn’t appear to be based on fact’ – expert spots major worry - Express


Meghan Markle interview ‘doesn’t appear to be based on fact’ – expert spots major worry - Express

Posted: 31 Mar 2021 02:32 AM PDT

Richard Palmer, the Daily Express' royal editor, reacted with bemusement this morning after the news the Archbishop of Canterbury officially confirmed that he did not marry the Sussexes three days before their royal wedding. Yesterday the head of the Church of England confirmed widespread doubts about the veracity of the couple's claim that he married them in secret in May 2018.

The confirmation was one of the numerous allegations levelled during the Sussexes' inflammatory chat which observers have since questioned.

Daily Express royal editor Richard Palmer wrote: "We've covered this story in print today too, although to be fair the Archbishop is only saying on the record what senior figures in the Church of England and the Sussexes were saying on March 8: there was no wedding three days earlier."

He added: "Numerous claims were made by Harry and Meghan in the Oprah interview that don't appear to be based on fact but this is perhaps the clearest example of recollections varying."

His tweets quickly garnered dozens of comments and likes.

READ MORE: Meghan and Harry's interview seen as 'ridiculous' by American people

"Good luck to Harry - he is going to need it."

During the Sussexes' bombshell TV interview, which aired earlier this month, Meghan claimed they had a secret ceremony ahead of their royal wedding.

The former actress, 39, told the chat show host: "You know, three days before our wedding, we got married.

"No one knows that.

"We called the archbishop and we just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world but we want our union between us'.

"So, like, the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard with the Archbishop of Canterbury."

Harry added: "Just the three of us."

These claims fly in the face of the Most Reverend Justin Welby's comments this week.

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica: "If any of you ever talk to a priest, you expect them to keep that talk confidential.

"It doesn't matter who I'm talking to.

"I had a number of private and pastoral meetings with the Duke and Duchess before the wedding.

"I signed the wedding certificate, which is a legal document, and I would have committed a serious criminal offence if I signed it knowing it was false.

"So you can make what you like about (it).

"But the legal wedding was on the Saturday.

"But I won't say what happened at any other meetings."

A spokesperson for the Sussexes was later forced to clarify this was in fact an informal exchange of vows.

Queen takes cheeky swipe at UK rival in rare comment on politics - Express

Posted: 31 Mar 2021 07:23 AM PDT

Queen wears lime green at Commonwealth War Graves memorial

The Queen stepped out of Windsor Castle for a rare face-to-face engagement marking the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The monarch visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey, where she attended a service and paid tribute to the fallen.

In her fourth royal visit since March last year, the monarch also took the time to speak with RAAF staff.

Speaking to one officer working with Typhoon jets, the Queen cheekily asked if they were "being sent off to chase the Russians".

He replied: "That's correct ma'am, it's a lot of fun for us!"

To which the monarch responded by simply making the sound: "Hmm".

queen news queen elizabeth ii visit raaf memorial centenary royal family news

Queen news: The Queen visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Air Forces Memorial today (Image: GETTY)

queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: An equerry laid a wreath of behalf of the Queen (Image: GETTY)

During her visit, the smiling monarch was also promised to be delivered a present from the RAAF especially made for her two new corgis - two dog jackets.

The Queen, delighted, replied to the offer: "That's very kind. I look forward to it."

While this engagement included some light-hearted moments, the Queen looked solemn as she attended the service in honour of the thousands of RAAF members who died in conflict.

During the memorial service, an equerry - Major Tom White - laid down a wreath on behalf of the Queen bearing the message: "In memory of the glorious dead, Elizabeth".

READ MORE: Meghan and Harry taken aback by backlash: 'Expected nothing like this'

queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: The Queen wrote the foreword in the order of the service taking place today at the memorial (Image: GETTY)

In the foreword she wrote in the order of service, the Queen said: "As one of the oldest Air Forces in the world, it is fitting to pay tribute to the efficiency, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in its ranks, in Australia and overseas, during the past one hundred years.

"Throughout my reign, the Royal Australian Air Force has shown immense dedication to duty and has defended our freedom in many conflicts around the world."

The monarch was also shown panels with names of Australian war dead and a display of fallen airmen and women.

More than 350,000 men and women have served in the RAAF since its formation in 1921, taking part in conflicts ranging from World War II to the wars in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan and Iraq.

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queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: The Queen paid tribute to the thousands of RAAF members who died in conflict (Image: GETTY)

queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: The Queen asked an officer whether the Typhoon jets are 'being sent off to chase the Russians' (Image: GETTY)

Over the past 100 years, more than 11,100 members of the RAAF lost their lives in service.

The Queen's visit to the memorial was particularly poignant as the monarch herself officially opened this site on the second year of her reign, in 1953.

During a chat with a member of the RAAF recently posted to the UK, the Queen also acknowledged the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on young officers serving in the country.

She said: "It's rather bad luck to have arrived in lockdown, isn't it?

queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: The line of succession to the throne (Image: EXPRESS)

"I hope in the next couple of years you'll be able to travel a bit more."

During today's engagement, the Queen was not required to wear a face mask as it was carried out outside.

The monarch received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 with her husband Prince Philip in mid-January.

The palace hasn't confirmed whether the royal couple has already been inoculated with the second dose as well.

queen news queen elizabeth ii russia raaf memorial centenary royal family latest

Queen news: The Queen spoke to RAAF staff (Image: GETTY)

The Queen last carried out a face-to-face engagement on November 8, when she attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph.

A few days before, in the run-up to a second national lockdown in England, the Queen travelled from Windsor to Westminster Abbey to pay tribute to the Unknown Warrior.

In October, she visited Porton Down with Prince William to officially open the new Energetics Analysis Centre.

The pair also thanked staff at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory for their pivotal work during the COVID-19 crisis and the investigation over the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018.

Later today, Prince William will also mark the centenary of the RAAF in a video to be shown at a special dinner taking place in Canberra and attended by, among other officials, Australia's Prime Minister and the Governor-General.

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