Alex Beresford today broke his silence to say he did not want Piers Morgan to quit Good Morning Britain after their heated on-air debate about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The weather presenter clashed with Piers on Tuesday over his comments about Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.
Morgan stormed off set during their conversation before stepping down from the ITV programme permanently later that day.
Addressing Morgan’s departure on Twitter, Beresford said: ‘I didn’t want him to quit, but I did want him to listen’ as he insisted ‘challenging his opinion was not an outrage’.
It comes as more than 60,000 Britons called for Piers to return to the programme in the space of 12 hours.
One petition, called ‘Bring Back Piers Morgan!’, accused ITV of treating him ‘appallingly’ and another, ‘Keep Piers Morgan on GMB for his common sense approach to life’, now has more than 114,000 signatures.
A third, which has been signed by more than 39,000 people, describes getting him sacked as ‘an absolute farce’.
The total number of signatures for the three polls is now more than 172,000 – up from 110,000 yesterday afternoon.
It comes as –
- Kate Garraway addressed co-host’s departure on GMB, describing him as ‘passionate’ and ‘authentic’;
- Oprah’s pal Gayle King doubles down on claims that Meghan Markle ‘has plenty of receipts’ to back up her explosive interview allegations;
- Angry Prince William publicly slaps down Harry and Meghan as he becomes first Royal to break silence since the Oprah interview and reveals he hasn’t spoken to his brother ‘but will do’;
- GMB loses 80,000 viewers the next morning after Mr Morgan quit on the day it beat BBC Breakfast for first time but rival’s audience soars by 200,000 – as 60,000 sign petitions to reinstate former host;
- Trevor Phillips says Oprah should have asked Harry and ‘remarkably ill-informed’ Meghan about the prince’s ‘own past behaviour and remarks’ on race;
- Mr Morgan thanked his GMB stars and crew after show beat rival BBC Breakfast in ratings war for first time on his last day – as Kate Garraway and Dr Hilary praise ‘authentic’ and ‘big-hearted’ ex-host;
- Sharon Osbourne fiercely defends Mr Morgan on The Talk against backlash from entire panel who say he’s been ‘racist and sexist in coverage of Meghan’.
The weather presenter clashed with Piers Morgan on Tuesday over his comments about Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey. They are both seen out in London today
Beresford said in the statement posted on Twitter: ‘There is so much that could be said. Piers’ departure sincerely wasn’t the conclusion I was hoping for.
‘Over the last few years, Piers and I have had a lively, cheeky on-air relationship.
‘We both wanted to be on the show on Tuesday morning, and, from our very public conversations on Twitter, we both knew how strongly our opinions differed on the treatment of Harry and Meghan pre and post the interview that has split the world.
Beresford said in the statement posted on Twitter: ‘There is so much that could be said. Piers’ departure sincerely wasn’t the conclusion I was hoping for’
‘I hoped we could reach a place of understanding. It’s sad that we weren’t able to get there, but challenging his opinion was not an outrage. On this occasion, we have to agree to disagree.’
He added: ‘Personally, Piers has always supported my growth. He’s given me advice on several occasions and for that I am grateful. I wish him well.’
It came as Piers tweeted a message of thanks to the Good Morning Britain team and said he’d achieved his one goal as he bowed out – to beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings.
Piers tweeted this morning: ‘I had one goal when I joined GMB – beat BBC Breakfast in the ratings. On my last day, we did it.
‘That was down to the hard work & dedication of the whole team. They don’t all agree with me, some don’t even like me, but we were a team..and we won. Thanks guys. I’ll miss you.’
On his smash-hit final episode, GMB won the ratings war with rival BBC Breakfast for the first time.
On Tuesday BBC got 1.25m viewers, 33.4% share, compared to GMB’s average 1.29m viewers and 35.3% share.
But on Wednesday – in the wake of Piers’ departure – BBC overtook ITV again, with 1.42m viewers, compared to 1.21m for GMB.
Kate Garraway said on GMB today: ‘That’s the thing about Piers, isn’t he, he is very passionate, he does fly kites and have debates but it always comes from a place of authenticity, he always believes in what he says, and he’s left.
‘He’s decided to quit, and as he put it himself, fall on his sword for free speech.
‘I’ve known him a long time before starting this programme, our friendship will go on, our personal friendship, and he’s been very supportive of me personally.’
Piers Morgan today tweeted a message of thanks to the Good Morning Britain team
The programme’s Health Editor Dr Hilary Jones also paid tribute, saying Mr Morgan ‘has a big heart’.
He added: ‘I’ve had my spats with Piers… but I think he did champion the little people, the people who had no voice.’
ITV’s shares yesterday plummeted by 4.3 per cent amid campaigners writing to ITV and Ofcom over concerns of a ‘chilling effect on free speech’.
They were worried about the way the broadcaster insisted Mr Morgan apologise for expressing his opinion, saying journalists should be ‘free to express their scepticism’ about statements made by high-profile people without the risk of losing their job.
Toby Young, of The Free Speech Union, expressed fears it looked like ITV was ‘happy to censure’ a journalist ‘at the request of a member of the Royal Family’.
Former BBC presenter Andrew Neil, who is launching new channel GB News, said he wished to talked to Mr Morgan about a role, saying he would be a ‘great asset’.
Meghan Markle wrote to ITV’s boss to complain about Mr Morgan hours before the GMB co-host quit following an on-screen row with weatherman Alex Beresford.
The Duchess of Sussex insists she was not upset that Mr Morgan said he ‘didn’t believe a word she said’ in her Oprah interview – but was worried about how his comments could affect people attempting to deal with their own mental health problems, an insider told the Press Association.
Standing firm yesterday, following his departure, Mr Morgan told reporters outside his West London home: ‘If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.’
There has been an outpouring of support for Piers on social media – with many people demanding his return
On today’s GMB, longtime friend of Mr Morgan, Kate Garraway, paid tribute to him and said that their friendship would go on
On Monday Ms Markle went directly to ITV’s CEO Dame Carolyn McCall, the former boss of the Guardian newspaper, who signed off on the broadcaster’s £1million deal to show the Oprah interview and said yesterday they were ‘dealing with’ the GMB host.
Mr Morgan is understood to have been ordered to apologise – but he refused and quit instead saying he had the right to tell viewers his ‘honestly held opinions’ and declaring: ‘Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on’.
His departure from ITV’s breakfast show, which he helped transform into a ratings hit that beat its BBC rival for the first time this week, came amid the fallout from the extraordinary Oprah interview that has caused the Royal Family’s worst crisis since Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936.
Hours after it was broadcast Mr Morgan branded Meghan ‘Princess Pinocchio’ after the Duchess said she was suicidal while five months pregnant but was denied any help by the palace.
She also accused the Royal Family of being concerned Archie’s skin would be too ‘dark’ and denying him the title of prince because he is mixed race, with Mr Morgan demanding the Sussexes back up their claims with evidence.
His views, and his refusal to back down in the row, sparked more than 41,000 complaints made to Ofcom, fuelled by an orchestrated social media campaign spearheaded by his critics including several Labour MPs.
But despite Mr Morgan’s years of successful skewering of ministers on the show, which led to a Government boycotts if GMB during the pandemic, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he ‘would miss him’.
Today, Alex Beresford said he did not want Piers Morgan to quit Good Morning Britain after their heated on-air discussion about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The weather presenter clashed with the broadcaster on Tuesday over his comments about Harry and Meghan’s interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey.
Morgan stormed off set during their conversation before stepping down from the ITV programme permanently later that day.
Addressing Morgan’s departure on Twitter, Beresford said: ‘I didn’t want him to quit, but I did want him to listen.’
The presenter has since reiterated his criticisms.
Beresford said challenging Morgan’s views was ‘not an outrage’.
‘There is so much that could be said. Piers’ departure sincerely wasn’t the conclusion I was hoping for,’ he said.
‘Over the last few years, Piers and I have had a lively, cheeky on-air relationship.
‘We both wanted to be on the show on Tuesday morning, and, from our very public conversations on Twitter, we both knew how strongly our opinions differed on the treatment of Harry and Meghan pre and post the interview that has split the world.
‘I hoped we could reach a place of understanding. It’s sad that we weren’t able to get there, but challenging his opinion was not an outrage. On this occasion, we have to agree to disagree.’
He added: ‘Personally, Piers has always supported my growth. He’s given me advice on several occasions and for that I am grateful. I wish him well.’
During Tuesday’s programme, Beresford told him: ‘I understand you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off.
‘She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to. Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has but yet you continue to trash her.’
Oprah’s pal Gayle King doubles down on claims that Meghan Markle ‘has plenty of receipts’ to back up her explosive interview allegations – after Duchess’ friend insisted Sussexes have kept ’emails and texts’
By Charlie Lankston for Dailymail.com
Oprah’s best friend Gayle King has doubled down on claims that Meghan Markle kept evidence to back up explosive allegations she made during her interview with the TV mogul – revealing that the Duchess ‘has plenty of receipts’.
The 66-year-old CBS This Morning anchor’s comment came just hours after Meghan’s close friend, actress Janina Gavankar, claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have ‘plenty of emails and texts’ to support the extraordinary and damaging accusations they made against the royal family.
Speaking specifically about the allegations of ‘racism’ that Meghan made during her discussion with Oprah, 67, Gayle said: ‘I think Meghan has plenty of receipts, meaning she’s been keeping track of things.’
Claim: Oprah Winfrey’s best friend Gayle King said on Thursday that Meghan Markle ‘has plenty of receipts’ to back up the explosive allegations made during the Sussexes’ interview
The statement very closely echoed that made by Vampire Diaries star Janina, 40, who has known Meghan for 17 years, during an appearance on British TV show This Morning on Wednesday.
Janina told how she watched the interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex which aired on CBS on Sunday, adding: ‘I don’t speak for them, I speak for myself.’
Meghan’s friend, who attended the 2018 Royal Wedding and took the couple’s 2019 Christmas card photo – also dismissed allegations of bullying after a number of claims were made against Meghan.
‘I have known her for 17 years and I have seen the way she regards the people around her and the people she works with, and I can say she is not a bully,’ the actress said.
‘But I can also say that I am personally glad people are doing their due diligence because I also know why someone had to leave, and it was for gross misconduct.
‘The truth will come out, there are plenty of emails and texts about that.’
While Janina stressed she was not speaking on Meghan’s behalf, she revealed she had talked to the duchess before being interviewed.
How Piers Morgan transformed struggling GMB into ratings juggernaut into success that championed its rival BBC Breakfast
When Piers Morgan joined Good Morning Britain in November 2015, ITV’s weekday breakfast show was still struggling to outshine its predecessor.
It consistently had lower ratings than Daybreak despite a £1.5million launch a year earlier and high-profile signings such as Susanna Reid from BBC Breakfast, averaging about 560,000 viewers per episode.
Morgan joined the cast following a five-episode stint in April, and helped rocket the ITV show to its ‘highest ever’ viewing figures – which saw an audience of 1.65million people tune in last Monday.
But after a five-year career with Good Morning Britain, ITV today announced the tough-talking morning show host has sensationally quit his role.
Charlotte Hawkins, Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid pictured in September 2017
Morgan’s resignation from Good Morning Britain marks the end of the latest chapter in his extraordinary career, in which he helped a struggling breakfast show grow into an undeniably popular news and talk programme.
Morgan was often praised for his chemistry with co-host Reid throughout his time at Good Morning Britain, with the latter once explaining the connection between the pair was ‘instant’.
Reid, 50, said in October 2017: ‘He totally wound me up from the moment he joined Good Morning Britain, nearly two years ago. ‘He’s the most annoying man I’ve ever met, but I find working with him exhilarating. Yes, he drives me nuts, but he also makes me laugh – and when the chips are down, and there’s a big news story breaking or we’re doing a controversial interview with a politician, I trust him.’
The colleagues quickly became famed for their vicious on-air battles, with Piers’ forthright views also often generating fierce debate and controversy among GMB’s millions of viewers.
For countless Britons, he was must-see TV, celebrated for his no-nonsense approach and for holding Ministers to account throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to his five-year stint on Good Morning Britain, Piers made his name in newspapers, becoming at 29 the youngest national newspaper editor in half a century when he rose the ranks of the News of the World in 1994.
The journalist left the paper following the controversial publication of photographs of Catherine Victoria Aitken, formerly Victoria Spencer, Countess Spencer, in 1995.
He later joined rival tabloid the Daily Mirror, but was sacked ‘with immediate effect’ in May 2004 after the newspaper published false images which alleged to show Iraqi prisoners being abused by British soldiers.
Reid, 50, said: ‘He totally wound me up from the moment he joined Good Morning Britain. He’s the most annoying man I’ve ever met, but I find working with him exhilarating. Yes, he drives me nuts, but he also makes me laugh – and when the chips are down, and there’s a big news story breaking or we’re doing a controversial interview with a politician, I trust him’
The photographs were shown to be fakes within days, and the Mirror claimed it had fallen victim to a ‘calculated and malicious hoax’ when apologising for the publication.
Piers began a distinguished career in television before departing the Mirror, reinventing himself as a CNN presenter in the US where he has a significant following.
He replaced television and radio host Larry King in the network’s evening line-up with his show Piers Morgan Live, which began in January 2011 before ending its run in March 2014.
It was around this time that the straight-talking host began presenting the hugely successful chat show Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, in which he quizzes high-profile celebrities including Sharon Osbourne and Trisha Goddard one-on-one.
The show, which began in February 2009 and is ongoing, has also featured appearances from Elton John, Rod Stewart and Captain Tom Moore – who raised millions for the NHS in a charity walk during the Covid-19 crisis.
Outside the world of journalism, Piers has also appeared as a judge on America’s Got Talent in 2006 and later on the British version of the show. He also won the US Celebrity Apprentice in 2007, which featured former US President Donald Trump.
Moving on from his past success, and today’s departure from GMB, Piers remains a highly popular MailOnline columnist in both the UK and US. He was appointed editor-at-large of the publication’s US operation in September 2014.
In their own words: What Piers Morgan and his GMB colleagues have said about his exit and the fallout
Piers Morgan
Piers Morgan labelled the Duchess of Sussex’s comments in her interview with Oprah Winfrey as ‘contemptible’.
Speaking outside his London home after quitting Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the presenter described his departure from the programme as ‘amicable’, adding: ‘I had a good chat with ITV and we agreed to disagree.’
Morgan added: ‘I’m just going to take it easy and see how we go.
‘I believe in freedom of speech, I believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. If people want to believe Meghan Markle, that’s entirely their right.
‘I don’t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and I think the damage she’s done to the British monarchy and to the Queen at a time when Prince Philip is lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible.
‘If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it.’
Piers Morgan said: ‘I think it’s fair to say, although the woke crowd will think that they’ve cancelled me, I think they will be rather disappointed when I re-emerge.
‘I would call it a temporary hibernation.’
He added that he is ‘always in talks with people’.
Asked what he would say to his Good Morning Britain colleague, Alex Beresford, with whom he had a heated debate during Tuesday’s show, Morgan said: ‘Good luck to him.’
Susanna Reid
Susanna Reid said Good Morning Britain will be ‘very different’ but ‘shows go on’ as she addressed the abrupt departure of her co-host Piers Morgan.
Speaking during Wednesday’s programme, she said: ‘He is without doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster.
‘He has many critics and he has many fans. You will know that I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview. He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.
‘There are many voices on GMB and everyone has their say. But now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer and others may boo.
‘He has been my presenting partner, Monday to Wednesday, for more than five years and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues, he has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have railed against.
‘It is certainly going to be very different but shows go on and so on we go.’
Reid commented that it had been a ‘rollercoaster ride’, and said: ‘As you know as viewers we have had our disagreements daily. I mean there have been times when I’ve thought we haven’t been able to agree on anything – on and off screen of course, you know that, it’s one of the dynamics of the programme but Piers has made the decision to leave Good Morning Britain and so it is looking very different this morning.’
Ranvir Singh
Discussing Piers Morgan’s departure, Ranvir Singh said he had ‘ruffled feathers and he shook up everything on breakfast television, on all channels, you know, it wasn’t just about this show, he shook up the landscape of what we do, the nature of what we do, so that can’t be denied…’
Ms Singh is amongst the favourites to take the job, but said: ‘I was here anyway, don’t read anything into this, I was here anyway. I’ve shifted seats on this brand new desk. It’s a strange morning for all of us here, but the decision has been made and i think when there are thousands of complaints about something things have to be taken seriously.’
Kate Garraway
Presenting Thursday’s ITV show, Garraway said of her former colleague: ‘He is very passionate. He does fly kites and have debates but it always comes from a place of authenticity.
‘He always believes in what he says.’
She added: ‘He’s left. He’s decided to quit and, as he put it himself, fall on the sword of free speech.’
Garraway, whose husband Derek Draper is in hospital after being admitted with coronavirus last year, said her friendship with Morgan ‘will go on’, adding: ‘He’s been very supportive of me personally.’
And she said of the future of the ITV programme: ‘It’s a different show but the show goes on.’
Ben Shephard
Co-host Ben Shephard told viewers: ‘It’s crucial that we all appreciate and understand that right now, particularly in the middle of a pandemic… that the debate about mental health and concern for people… is something that we take very seriously and is hugely important to all.’
‘We’re very much not a racist family’: Angry Prince William publicly hits back at Harry and Meghan’s claims as he becomes first member of family to break silence – and reveals he hasn’t spoken to his brother since Oprah interview ‘but will do’
By Rory Tingle for MailOnline and Rebecca English, Royal Editor for Daily Mail
An impassioned Prince William today publicly hit back against Harry and Meghan’s racism claims, insisting, ‘We’re very much not a racist family’.
The Duke of Cambridge is the first royal to personally respond to the allegation during his first royal engagement since the Oprah interview, as he also revealed that he has not spoken to his brother since it came out but ‘will do’.
Meghan’s claim that an unnamed royal raised concerns about Archie being ‘too brown’ was the most damaging allegation to come out of the broadcast, and caused untold damage to the Windsors’ reputation around the world.
Today was also the first engagement for Kate since she was accused by Meghan of making her cry in the bombshell tell-all chat.
During the Oprah interview, Meghan also revealed details about their strained relationship, saying of pictures of them laughing at Wimbledon, ‘Nothing is what it looks like’, and said Kate being called ‘waity Katie’ in the press couldn’t compare to the alleged racism she faced.
Meanwhile, Harry revealed how he was ‘on different paths’ to William and spoke about his brother was ‘trapped’ in the Royal Family.
William, who was visiting School2 in east London to promote a children’s mental health programme, defended his family’s reputation after being asked by Sky News reporter Inzamam Rashid, ‘Is the Royal Family a racist family?’
And when questioned whether he had spoken to his brother since Sunday’s broadcast, the Duke of Cambridge said: ‘No, I haven’t spoken to him yet but I will do.’
William, who was visiting School2 in east London to promote a children’s mental health programme, defended his family’s reputation after being asked by Sky News reporter Inzamam Rashid, ‘Is the Royal Family a racist family?’
William and Kate (pictured) signalled their intention to carry on as normal at School21 in Stratford, east London, with Kate seen speaking to pupils and teachers
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a visit to School21 in Stratford, east London, to promote a mental health initiative for children on a visit to a school
The decision to publicly respond to personal allegations is unprecedented for a senior royal, say experts, and is an indication of the strength of feeling in the royal household about the attacks directed at them.
The Queen broke her silence on the interview on Tuesday, voicing her ‘concern’ over the issues raised, ‘particularly that of race’, although the statement added that ‘some recollections may vary’.
William and Kate are said to be deeply upset by the way they were attacked by the Sussexes.
And as a couple who has long campaigned on the issue of mental health, they will be finding allegations that Meghan was driven to consider suicide by her treatment by the family tough to swallow.
During today’s visit, the Cambridges spoke about the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018.
Kate, who was wearing a pink £389 Max & Co coat and a £65 pink Boden jumper, looked relaxed as she chatted to teachers and played with pupils.
The emphasis on mental health may feel prescient in the light of the Duchess of Sussex’s claims that the palace failed to help her when she was feeling suicidal, but the visit would have been planned weeks in advance.
The royals usually release details of visits before they happen, but during the pandemic they have been doing so afterwards to avoid large crowds during Covid.
Beyond the fact that the visit was to a school further details – such as that the pair would discuss mental health – only surfaced afterwards.
Today royal expert Phil Dampier praised William’s intervention, tweeting: ‘Clearly very hurt but dignified. Well said, William.
‘The royals will survive and slowly fight back but Harry and Meghan have played all their cards. From now on they can’t blame everyone else and have to stand or fall by their own actions.’
William made the comment during his first public appearance since highly damaging claims of bigotry and a lack of support were levelled at the royal family by Harry and Meghan in their interview with Oprah.
The reporter who asked the question, Inzamam Rashid, was on one of his first jobs since returning from a suspension after being seen with Kay Burley at her lockdown-flouting 60th birthday.
William and Kate toured School21 in Stratford, east London, to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018.
As William left, a reporter asked him: ‘Is the royal family a racist family, sir?’
The duke, with the duchess by his side, replied: ‘We’re very much not a racist family.’
The reporter asked whether there has been any communication between the royal brothers, whose relationship is known to have been troubled in the past.
He asked William: ‘Sir, have you spoken to your brother since the interview?’, and the duke replied: ‘No, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I will do.’
William’s comments are the first public statement by a member of the royal family about the allegations made by the Sussexes which have severely damaged the reputation of the monarchy.
During the visit, Kate knelt down to talk to children in a pop-up cafe, while William helped a little girl building a wall in the playground’s construction area.
He joked he had been taking orders from the construction manager. ‘I was just doing what I was told,’ he said to laughter from teachers.
The duke and duchess then joined teachers and staff involved in the Mentally Healthy Schools project to talk about its aims and impact on children. They sat in a circle outside the school because of Covid restrictions.
It other updates over the interview fallout today –
- The Queen is planning to reach out to the Sussexes by phoning them in California as she believes now is the time for a more personal approach;
- Sir Keir Starmer says allegations of royal racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a ‘matter now for the family’;
- Jacob Rees-Mogg reads out the national anthem when asked to allow MPs to debate the role of the monarchy, amid concerns over the ‘family dispute’ being aired in public;
- Meghan’s close friend Janina Gavankar attacks the Queen’s statement – after ‘getting Duchess’s backing before appearing on This Morning despite couple insisting interview would be their last word;
- Figures show Good Morning Britain lost 80,000 viewers the day after Piers Morgan sensationally quit as its rival BBC Breakfast gained 200,000 as a result;
- Details emerge of a ‘bizarre warning’ Harry and Meghan’s PR team reportedly sent to the BBC telling them to not only use ‘old white men’ in their coverage of the interview;
- US right-wing commentator Candace Owens backs Piers Morgan after his departure from GMB after a complaint from Meghan;
- Sharon Osbourne fiercely defends her friend Piers on The Talk against a backlash from the entire panel who say he’s been ‘racist and sexist in coverage of Meghan’;
- Palace staff express dismay at the Duchess’s claim she was left to sink or swim when she joined the Royal Family
- Questions raised over Meghan’s claim her passport was ‘confiscated’ as it emerged she took 13 foreign holidays.
The couple’s visit today coincides with the roll-out of Mentally Healthy Schools resources for secondary schools and how this is helping put mental health at the heart of their schools curriculum
Kate wore a pink £389 Max & Co coat and a £65 pink Boden jumper during the visit, where she was seen speaking to schoolchildren
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured School21 in Stratford, east London, to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018
The couple were at the school to mark children’s return to classes and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project for pupils which Kate launched in primary schools in 2018
The lessons are financed from an initial £800,000 grant from the then Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry
The Duke of Cambridge plays with a child in the playground during a visit to School21 in Stratford, east London, this morning
William watches a child in the playground during today’s visit – which saw the prince personally address claims of racism in the Royal Family
Members of the royal family are known for ignoring the occasional questions shouted to them by the media during royal visits, so William’s decision to respond today shows the depth of feeling in the Royal Family
Children at School21 will be given access to lessons on issues such as anxiety and depression from Mentally Healthy Schools
The Duchess of Cambridge chatting to pupils in the playground at School21 in Stratford, east London, during today’s visit
The lessons are financed from an initial £800,000 grant from the then Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry
William’s comments are the first public statement by a member of the royal family about the allegations made by the Sussexes which have severely damaged the reputation of the monarchy
School 21 is attended by girls and boys from four to 18, with pupils described as being ‘from all starting points and backgrounds’
Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes’ nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Oprah the ‘reverse happened’
Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be ‘disparaging’, but added it was ‘really important for people to understand the truth’. ‘She’s a good person,’ the duchess added
Meghan also gave more details about her strained relationship with Kate (pictured today at School21 in Stratford, east London)
Meghan was asked about her and Kate’s (pictured) memorable joint-outing to Wimbledon, where the pair put on a united front and were pictured laughing
During the interview Meghan appeared to cast doubt on the authenticity of that seemingly affable appearance, saying: ‘Nothing is what it looks like’
The Duke of Cambridge adjusts his mask during a visit to School21, where the couple were discussing the mental health resources on offer
During the visit the couple spoke to teachers about the challenges they have faced over the past year and how they have adapted to the school re-opening earlier this week
The Duke and Duchess’ visit coincided with the roll-out of Mentally Healthy Schools resources for secondary schools and FE colleges, and they heard from teachers how this is helping put mental health at the heart of their school’s curriculum
Oprah was left open-mouthed when Meghan and Harry recounted that a family member – not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh – had raised concerns about how dark their unborn son Archie’s skin tone might be.
There has been much speculation about which member of the royal family they were accusing of racism.
But during the interview the couple would not be drawn on who had deeply offended them.
ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship called today’s comment ‘unprecedented’.
He said: ‘It’s unprecedented for a senior royal to speak in this way.
‘And shows the fight they now have on their hands to repair their reputation following Meghan and Harry’s explosive claims.
‘Remember the Queen’s statement said ‘recollections may vary’.’
Members of the royal family are known for ignoring the occasional questions shouted to them by the media during royal visits.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said: ‘Imagine if Prince William had been in charge of the palace statement two days ago.’
It comes as the Queen is set to extend a personal olive branch to Harry and Meghan as she takes charge of the fallout from their bombshell television interview.
With senior royals still ‘reeling’ following a series of explosive allegations by the couple, she has issued a ‘three-line whip’ to prevent staff discussing the situation publicly.
It is understood that she intends to try to pour oil on troubled waters by reaching out to her grandson and his wife in California instead.
The 94-year-old monarch’s determination to seize the initiative is deemed to be a sensible one.
Harry said he felt let down by his father, who, he claimed, refused to take his calls over the whole Megxit saga, and admitted there was still a huge gulf between him and his brother.
He also accused an unnamed member of his family of racism and said the lack of support he and his wife received from the other royals was behind their decision to quit the UK.
However both Harry and Meghan made a point of trying to ‘ring fence’ his grandparents from criticism, with the duchess saying how ‘wonderful’ and generous the Queen had been and boasting of being able to call her without needing to speak to officials.
Children at School21 will be given access to lessons on issues such as anxiety and depression from Mentally Healthy Schools
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked around the playground and chatted to children as they were playing with their toys
William and Kate were both wearing face masks during the visit, which saw them speak to teachers about how they had adapted to the school’s reopening this week
The couple at School21 following its reopening at the start of this week following the easing of lockdown restrictions in England
During the bombshell interview, Harry accused an unnamed member of his family of racism and said the lack of support he and his wife received from the other royals was behind their decision to quit the UK
‘Their recollections may vary, ours don’t’: Meghan close friend attacks Queen’s statement on Oprah interview
Meghan Markle’s close friend has firmly rejected the Queen’s statement that ‘recollections may vary’ over claims made by the Sussexes in their Oprah interview.
Janina Gavankar, the actress, said: ‘Though their recollections may vary, ours don’t.’
She also said the duchess gave her backing before she appeared on TV – despite Meghan reportedly agreeing a period of silence to cool tensions with the Palace.
The monarchy is reeling from the CBS interview, where the couple said a member of the royal family was ‘concerned’ over how dark Archie’s skin would be, and that Meghan was not given adequate support for her mental health.
Janina Gavankar is pictured with Meghan Markle, whom she has been friends with for 17 years
An eventual statement from the Queen promised to investigate the matter privately, but also appeared to contest their version of events.
Yesterday, Gavankar, who has known Meghan for 17 years, took appeared on ITV’s This Morning to insist the Sussexes were confident of their claims.
She said: ‘After reading this short statement that came out from Buckingham Palace today, I felt two things.
‘One side, I thought: I am so thankful that they are finally acknowledging the experience.
‘But on the other side, I am well aware that the family and the staff were well aware of the extent of it, and though their recollections may vary, ours don’t, because we lived through it with them. There are many emails and texts to support that.’
Harry also insisted he hadn’t ‘blindsided’ her with their decision to step down from royal duties as he had too much respect for his ‘colonel in chief’.
And he told Oprah to make clear in publicity for the show that the unidentified family member who Meghan claims expressed ‘concern’ about how ‘dark’ their child would be was neither of his grandparents.
Courtiers now hope and believe the Queen’s approach will help to ‘de-toxify’ such a volatile situation.
‘It is difficult to underestimate how shell-shocked everyone is by what has happened,’ a source told the Daily Mail.
‘People are literally reeling from what has happened and some staff would dearly love to publicly rebut some of what has been said about them.
‘But the Queen has taken a very measured, sensible approach. She is leading by example. This is a matter for her and the family to deal with.’
Buckingham Palace had no advance warning that Harry and Meghan had decided to sit down for an explosive ‘tell all’ with Oprah and were not shown the two-hour programme in advance.
And although they had not been expecting to receive an easy ride, they were stunned at the ferocity of the allegations hurled in their direction.
There was significant internal debate as to whether to rebut many of them, but instead the Queen personally opted for a ‘compassionate but firm’ approach, saying: ‘The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
‘The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.’
She added: ‘Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.’ The 61-word, three paragraph statement was in marked contrast to the three hours of interview Oprah boasted that Harry and Meghan had given her.
A source added: ‘There is a long way to go but hopefully things will start to move in the right direction in order for bridges to be built.’
It is hoped Harry and Meghan will now take the same approach. Before the interview their PR team insisted it would be the ‘last word’ on the family rift.
And as someone who has campaigned on the issue of mental health, William will be finding allegations that Meghan was driven to consider suicide by her treatment by the family tough to swallow
The couple – seen in a car in London today – are said to be deeply upset by the way they were attacked by the Sussexes, with Meghan accusing Kate of making her cry during a bridesmaid dress fitting ahead of the royal wedding
It is understood that the Queen intends to try to pour oil on troubled waters by reaching out to her grandson and his wife in California. It is expected that they will speak on the phone in the next few days
Meghan Markle made at least 13 trips abroad after her relationship with Prince Harry emerged – despite claiming her passport was seized when she ‘joined the family’
The couple said that they felt they ‘needed to have their say’ but now ‘considered the matter closed’ and wanted to ‘move on’.
But since the screening, a raft of close friends and supporters have been given permission to push their case on social media and over the airwaves.
Insiders fear even if Harry does manage to patch up relations with his family, irrevocable damage has been done.
Palace staff watched Harry and Meghan’s interview in horror as they claimed she was left completely unsupported when she joined the Royal Family, it emerged last night.
The Daily Mail can reveal there is genuine hurt that the couple have perpetuated the image that Meghan was cut adrift and left to fend for herself.
In fact, sources say, the duchess was given a string of the Queen’s most senior staff as ‘mentors’ after the couple became engaged, as well as being allowed to hand-pick her own 15-strong team of loyal and talented private office staff.
‘It is very disingenuous to make such a sweeping generalisation,’ one insider said.
‘There was a brilliant team of very experienced and loyal aides to help them. Sadly, she and Harry were willing to listen to no one. And that is the honest truth.’
The Queen even personally persuaded her long-standing and extremely popular former deputy private secretary Samantha Cohen, who had just handed in her notice after working for the Royal Household for the best part of two decades, to stay on and work for the couple.
She was their first joint private secretary, running their private and public lives rather like a chief of staff.
One of her main roles was to help navigate Meghan through the wedding and prepare her for royal life. These included regular tutoring sessions on everything from royal etiquette to diplomatic protocol at Kensington Palace.
Australian-born Mrs Cohen, a mother of three, was considered the safest pair of hands possible.
Having begun her career in the press office, rising to press secretary, and then moving to the Queen’s private office in 2010, she was the most senior woman in the household and one of the Queen’s key advisers, seen in the palace corridors as belonging to a more modern breed of royal executive.
During the interview, Meghan Markle described how ‘wonderful’ and generous the Queen (pictured together in 2018) had been and boasted of being able to call her without needing to speak to officials
‘The Queen gave her Sam, her most trusted, her safest set of hands,’ a source said. Yet Meghan told Oprah that while the Queen had personally been ‘wonderful’, she hadn’t received any guidance on how to behave as a royal – leaving her forced to google the National Anthem.
‘Unlike what you see in the movies, there’s no class on how to… how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal,’ she said.
‘There was none of that training that might exist for other members of the family. That was not something that was offered to me.’
‘Nobody prepares you?’ asked Oprah.
Meghan confirmed this adding: ‘I’m sorry, but even down to, like, the National Anthem. No one thought to say, ‘Oh, you’re American. You’re not gonna know that’.
‘That’s me, late at night, googling… I don’t wanna embarrass them. I need to learn these 30 hymns for church.
‘All of this is televised. We were doing the training behind the scenes ’cause I just wanted to make them proud.’
She also revealed that on the first occasion she met the Queen, at Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew’s Windsor home, his ex-wife the Duchess of York – with whom he still lives – had to teach her how to strike a ‘deep curtsey’ as she had no idea what she would be required to do that in private.
Harry backed up his wife’s claims, saying one of the main reasons for their decision to quit royal duties was a ‘lack of support and lack of understanding’.
But several sources have told the Mail that their account ‘is not one anyone recognises’.
‘No one wants to get into a tit-for-tat but it is important to stress that this idea the duchess wasn’t helped with protocol, that no one taught her to curtsey, she had to google the National Anthem herself, isn’t true,’ said one.
‘If you believe Archie has suffered racism then call me a Nigerian prince and give me your credit card’: Candace Owens backs Piers Morgan
Conservative commentator Candace Owens has lashed out at Meghan Markle during an interview with Sean Hannity Wednesday night, describing the Duchess as a ‘liar’ and a ‘narcissist’.
Owens told the Fox News anchor that Meghan ‘couldn’t keep her stories straight’ during her bombshell interview with Oprah last weekend.
‘She [Meghan] said she doesn’t read newspapers or check social media. That’s not true because she then said that she was suicidal because of bad press,’ Owens stated.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens has lashed out at Meghan Markle during an interview with Sean Hannity Wednesday night, describing the Duchess as a ‘liar’ and a ‘narcissist’
Owens also claimed that Meghan’s insinuation that her son, Archie, was not offered a title because of his skin tone was also untrue.
‘If you have seen a picture of Archie and you believe he suffered anti-black racism, then call me a Nigerian prince and give me your credit card,’ the outspoken pundit proclaimed, saying that the baby Royal had a light skin tone.
Owens additionally mocked Meghan for putting in a complaint to British broadcaster ITV because she was upset with critical comments made by Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.
It was alleged last week that Mrs Cohen was one of those members of staff who experienced bullying at Meghan’s hands, which has been denied by the Sussexes’ lawyers.
As well as being given the services of Mrs Cohen, Meghan was also put on speed dial to the Queen’s equerry, Ghanian-born Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah of the Household Cavalry.
Equerries are senior officers who help organise the Queen’s diary and official functions, often appearing at her side.
The Mail also understands that Meghan was able to lean on one of the Queen’s most senior ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, the widow of former BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey and one Prince William’s godparents.
She has been the loyal friend and companion to the Queen since she joined the court in 1960 following the birth of Prince Andrew.
Like all ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan accompanies Her Majesty on engagements and organises her diary, as well as dealing with her correspondence.
She is not paid for her services. Like Sam Cohen, there couldn’t have been a safer sounding board for the duchess to use,’ said a source.
‘Lady Susan is very approachable, as are all the ladies-in-waiting, and would have wanted to help in any way they could.
‘In fact it was said that all of the ladies-in-waiting came over to Kensington Palace to have tea with Harry and Meghan’s team… as a getting-to-know-you session.’
The calibre of the team made available to Meghan was, sources say, a sign of how committed Buckingham Palace was to supporting her.
‘The intimation from the interview was that Harry, and particularly Meghan, were on their own,’ one insider explained.
‘Of course no one could ever understand what it must be like being plunged into that world so quickly.
‘But that’s why this team was assembled. Contrary to what has been suggested, Buckingham Palace has learnt from the mistakes of the past and were determined to help them in any way they could. They wanted to make Harry and Meghan a success.
‘Unfortunately they didn’t want to listen. Harry was intrinsically distrustful of the institution and Meghan just really didn’t want to know.’