Earlier today, May 14, reports surfaced that Meghan Markle‘s father, Thomas Markle, will not attend his daughter’s royal wedding to Prince Harry on May 19. And now, Kensington Palace has spoken out about the headline-making news.
“This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding,” a Kensington Palace spokesman said in a statement on Monday, May 14, per Us Weekly. “She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation.”
The statement didn’t clarify whether or not Thomas Markle will still be attending, but this comes after he was accused of staging paparazzi photos of himself “getting ready” for the big event—doing things like getting a suit tailored and reading a book on British landmarks. The photos didn’t attract much scrutiny until the Daily Mail published security video footage that appears to show Thomas, 73, teaming up with paparazzo Jeff Rayner to allegedly stage them.
Markle’s father was supposed to walk her down the aisle, but it’s now unclear who will. To make matters even more dramatic, a large portion of Markle’s family who were reportedly not invited to the festivities showed up in London this week.
The two most important pop-culture events happening this week are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Lifetime movie. The latter premiered tonight—after weeks of anticipation—and, guys, it didn’t disappoint. The movie had everything you could want and more: Suits references, snobby British people, quips about Prince William’s hair, jokes about Markle’s Deal or No Deal gig (that last one still has me shouting). Interspersed with this was the story behind Markle and Prince Harry’s romance, which should be taken with a grain of salt, of course. This is an unauthorized Lifetime movie, after all. Even still, it was wickedly entertaining and further fueled my obsession with Markle—and Suits, a show I’ve never seen but now religiously watch interviews about on YouTube. I have a problem.
Anyway, here are 79 thoughts I had while watching the Lifetime movie—many of which are about Suits.
This movie opens up with Young Harry in Botswana wistfully looking out a Jeep window. He’s clearly thinking, “In 20 years, an actress from an American cable network will complete me.”
Prince Charles calls William and Harry “my darling boys,” and it’s hilarious.
Harry running away from his dad in Africa after he tried to talk to him about Diana is a mood.
A flashback scene of Harry and Princess Diana stealing doughnuts from the palace is my permanent aesthetic.
But then, holy shit: There’s a LION right next to Prince Harry right now. This escalated.
There’s also a scene with a young feminist Meghan Markle. She’s writing a letter to a cleaning product company because their commercial was sexist. (This really happened.
Also, I have a crush on her dad in this movie.
The movie really picks up when Meghan starts filming Suits. Were there really sketchy directors who tried to over-sexualize her character, Rachel Zane? This is news to me. Love that Meghan’s shutting it down, though.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is clubbing. And Prince William’s shaming him for it.
Now Harry’s pouting about not having someone. Little does he know Meghan Markle’s just around the corner.
The actor who’s playing Prince Harry is hot. That’s all.
The actor who’s playing Prince William has a delightful voice. That’s all.
Thank god the movie’s stylist didn’t forget to include Prince Harry’s bracelets!
“I’d hoped that after the Nazi uniform and stripping down and showing off the family jewels in Las Vegas, we were past all this.” – Prince Charles, being a shady future king.
The way they’re depicting Prince William and Kate Middleotn’s marriage in this movie is strange. William’s, like, a lunkish man-child and Kate’s always keeping his shit in order. Wouldn’t be surprised if that were true, though.
PHOTO: Lifetime
What the hell? One of the Suits makeup people just jabbed at Meghan Markle for “not getting any younger.” Rude.
“He’s handsome, rich, and unlike his older brother, he’s still got his hair” – The friend who set Meghan and Harry up. I’m crying.
Meghan asking her friend if Harry’s “nice” is so cringe-y but also cute.
The only question Prince Harry asked the friend about Meghan is, “Is she hot?” Groan, groan, groan.
Prince Harry’s late to his blind date with Meghan because of course he is. He’s also…hungover? Or just cynical? Whatever, he’s annoying.
Meghan chastising Harry for being late and then brushing off the fact he’s the prince is everything.
She’s not that mad, though: They start flirting, but it’s so cheesy. I can’t. This truly is the romance movie version of Meghan and Harry.
MEGHAN REFERENCES HER DEAL OR NO DEAL DAYS. I’M SCREAMING.
I love how they just ping-pong their philanthropic accomplishments back and forth on this date.
They also quote a Morgan Freeman poem.
But, yeah, they’re adorable. I love Meghan Markle. Even this fake one.
“Did you give the milk away for free?” – The first question Meghan’s mom asks her after her date with Harry. This woman is my president.
Harry’s watching Suits when he calls Meghan for the first time. USA Network’s impact.
Kate Middleton’s reaction when she finds out Meghan’s American: “Oh no. They’re so…loud.” I mean, true.
The giraffe! Is! Here! (On their trip to Botswana.)
PHOTO: Lifetime
The giraffe is clearly thinking, “I’m such a huge fan of Suits.”
Meghan and Harry talk about Diana and hold hands in Botswana. It’s tender. They’re both so hot.
Wait, Meghan had to ask for clarification of the phrase “ginger.” Did she….not know what that meant?
“Kate and I binge-watched Suits over the weekend” – Prince William. I love how much promo Suits is getting because of this.
Meghan would tell her gay hairdresser about Prince Harry before anyone else. Take it from a gay: Always trust the gays.
“Glass ceiling, not glass slippers” – Meghan Markle trying to tell herself not to get hung up on Prince Harry. We love a mantra!
…but then Prince Harry surprise visits Meghan on the set of Suits. He’s a fan. He stans.
You know this is true love when Harry gives Meghan a matching beaded bracelet.
Prince Harry dressed up as an actual frog to go to a Suits Halloween party in Toronto with Meghan. Iconic.
And Meghan wore a Hillary Clinton mask. It was eight days before the election. What a hopeful time!
A bunch of sloppy drunk Suits crew members heckle Prince Harry at the party. Why?
The first thing the Palace wants Meghan to do now that her relationship with Harry is public: shut down The Tig. Justice for The Tig!
“If she’s your girl, she can’t have opinions.” – Kate. What?
PHOTO: Lifetime
Now that Meghan and Harry are public, the royal family’s being so snobby about Meghan. All I want to say is, “Can you anchor a USA Network show for seven seasons?”
Real talk: Adorable Prince George is the MVP of this movie.
An incredibly rude woman makes jabs about Suits to Meghan with this zinger: “Not exactly Shakespeare.” Um, STFU.
And then she talks about Meghan’s hair? Who is she?
Prince Harry just called this woman a troll. Thank God. She is one.
Harry and Meghan are having a serious talk about race. It’s uncomfortable but probably necessary.
As the media attention gets crazy, Prince Harry threatens to go rogue with a statement telling people to leave Meghan alone. I love it.
Prince Harry wears a purple beanie and it’s hot AF.
“Whatever they bloody well fancy.” – Meghan doing a Harry impression. Living.
“I’m a grown-ass woman.” – Meghan. I love when people say this sentence out loud.
Meghan runs through a laundry list of why her family is sketchy, and it’s terrible and awkward. Thinking about all those Daily Mail articles now.
So…they break up because Meghan thinks Harry just wants to take care of her? He’s pouting and storms out of her house. Did this really happen?
“Girl, get your ass out here right now.” – Meghan’s mom when she walks in on Meghan crying over Harry. She’s the real star of this operation.
Meghan tries to stop Harry’s plane from taking off by telling the flight attendant she’s dating the prince of England. Why would anyone ever believe that? She looks deranged.
PHOTO: Michael Courtney/Lifetime
But it works. So maybe I’m deranged.
Ooooh, I remember that Meghan couldn’t go to Pippa’s wedding because she wasn’t engaged to Harry. The shade of it all.
The upbeat electropop music that scores this movie really elevates Harry and Meghan’s relationship.
Ugh, a horrible woman makes comments about Meghan’s “biological clock.” I rebuke it.
Thankfully, Kate swoops in to help. Yes, friendship. We love friendship.
“You two should’ve been able to be together from the start” – Prince Harry to his dad and Camilla, which is awkward because he wouldn’t have been born if that were the case?
“I’ve got to go to this thing.” “What thing? “This…royal thing.” What Prince Harry says to get out of talking to Meghan about kids/her career/their future. Dismissive but hysterical.
August 2017: Meghan and Harry are back in Botswana. Yup, yup, yup, I remember all of this.
Prince Harry’s getting all pissed at Meghan for trying to talk to him about Diana on the 20th anniversary of her death. Draaaaamaaa.
He runs off into the grass and sees another lion. The lion is a metaphor for Diana. Who knew this would be the thread that runs through this entire movie?! Lion moms!
After his tantrum, Meghan and Harry make out and cry. So weepy. And sexy.
The next morning he proposes! But they’re in Africa! Not in their cottage roasting chicken! What is the truth?
PHOTO: Lifetime
There’s a scene where a little girl asks Meghan for an autograph and it’s just ???.
I love how the narrative they’re creating here is that Meghan was bored with Suits so she quit. Not that she quit for Harry.
Prince Harry: “Meet my granny,” a.k.a THE QUEEN.
OMG, Queen Elizabeth disses The Crown.
And her corgis are present!
Finally, we’re watching them cook the famous roast chicken. And there’s a ring! It’s a whole thing! And just like that, the star of Suits became a royal.
“Good afternoon. My first order of business is to announce that my grandson, His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales, will be marrying a divorced African American lady. Everybody on board? Lovely.” – Queen Elizabeth being both a literal and figurative queen.
Under the 2013 Succession of the Crown Act, it’s imperative that Harry, as sixth in line to the throne, obtain formal permission to wed—a permission that’s granted only by the current sitting monarch, the Queen. If consent is given, the couple will, following the church union, receive a written document from the royal monarch signifying her formal approval of their union.
Fear not: The Queen has formally consented to the lovely couple’s pending vows (whew!), and luckily for us, we don’t have to wait until Saturday for a first glimpse at this formal written acknowledgement.
On Sunday, Kensington Palace posted images of the Instrument of Consent, the ye-olde-sounding document that formally notes the Queen’s consent of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage (one which she formally gave to the couple at the meeting of the Privy Council on March 14).
Take a peek at the gorgeous document below:
Drafted by the Crown Office, the Instrument of Consent was handwritten and illuminated on vellum, a medium used only for highly important state documents in the U.K.
PHOTO: WPA Pool
The paperwork is stunning, to say the least: It definitely looks more like something in a museum than your average city clerk-bestowed marriage license. Here are a few close-ups of the beautifully-crafted document, penned in stunning script:
PHOTO: WPA Pool
PHOTO: WPA Pool
PHOTO: Victoria Jones WPA/Getty Images
Adorned with intricate and colorful designs, the document celebrates Harry and Meghan’s heritage and adjoining future together and is embellished with symbols representing both the U.K. and the U.S. On the left side of the text, for instance, you’ll see a red dragon, symbolic of Wales, with a rose, thistle and shamrock, which are the official floral emblems of the U.K. The design also features Prince Harry’s Label and includes three tiny red shells from the Spencer family arms, a tribute to the prince’s mother, the late Princess Diana.
Illustrations to the right of the text include a rose, emblematic of the United States, which is adorned by two golden poppies, symbols of Markle’s birthplace of California. Additionally, beneath Prince Harry’s label are two olive branches: adopted from the U.S. Great Seal.
Take a look at some close-ups of the ornate embellishments—and their explanations from Kensington’s Instastory—below:
Referring to Prince Harry in the formal document as her “dearly beloved” grandson, the Queen formally acknowledges the pending nuptials between Meghan and Harry, stating: “NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, K.C.V.O., and Rachel Meghan Markle.”
Taking a selfie with Meghan Markle just got a whole lot easier. The Telegraph reports that Madame Tussauds London unveiled a wax figure of the soon-to-be duchess this week, and for once, the figurine actually does its subject justice.
The wax-figure Markle wears the same forest green P.A.R.O.S.H. dress the real one wore while announcing her engagement back in November. Her dark hair is styled in the Suits actress’ usual middle-part and waves, and she wears a spot-on replica of the engagement ring that Prince Harry designed for her. Unlike countless other, slightly-off wax figures before hers, Markle’s doesn’t look creepy or vacant.
According to The Telegraph, Markle’s replica will be available for public viewing beginning May 18, the day before she and Prince Harry tie the knot at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. She’ll be placed next to Prince Harry’s own wax figure, which is reportedly getting something of a revamp in honor of his upcoming nuptials. And get this: All Madame Tussauds guests named Meghan or Harry will score free admission to the museum on May 19, the day of the royal wedding.
Check out pics of Markle’s wax figure for yourself, below:
PHOTO: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
PHOTO: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
PHOTO: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
If you don’t foresee a trip across the pond in your future, don’t worry. The Telegraph reports that Madame Tussauds New York will debut its own wax figure of Markle on Wednesday. The New York version will appropriately be called the “American Princess,” and show Markle in a different pose and outfit. Start planning your regal selfie poses, people.
Obsessed with the royals? Same. Click here to get Meghan Markle updates—and more—from our daily newsletter.
It’s official: Priyanka Chopra is attending her good friend Meghan Markle wedding to Prince Harry. The Quantico actress confirmed the news to Us Weekly on Wednesday (April 25).
Granted, Chopra didn’t tell the magazine much. At this point, all we know is that she’s attending. Chopra doesn’t even know what she’s wearing. “I sort of may have an idea,” Chopra told Us Weekly. “But no, I haven’t picked one out yet.”
This news, while exciting, shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Markle and Chopra have been friends for years. In fact, the Baywatch star has come to Markle’s defense several times in the press—including when Wendy Williams referred to her as just “Prince Harry’s girlfriend.”
“I’ve known Meghan for three years, and I’m so happy the way the world has responded to her because as long as I’ve known her…she is a relatable young woman of the world today,” Chopra also told Us Weekly. “She’s that girl who thinks out of the box. She has always been an activist. She has always had a strong voice. She’s an ambitious girl of today. I think the world needs strong role models like Meghan. I think, I hope, Meghan will end up being one of those people.”
Chopra expressed similar kind sentiments about Markle in an essay for Time magazine. (Markle and Prince Harry were included in the publication’s annual 100 Most Influential People list.) “With her, what you see is real, and what you get is a relatable young woman with her heart and mind in the right place,” Chopra wrote of her soon-to-be duchess friend.
The royal wedding guest list is, by and large, still a mystery; however, it’s slowly but surely trickling out. In addition to Chopra, Kensington Palace announced a few weeks back that Markle and Prince Harry invited about 3,000 members of the British public to their nuptials. It’s also safe to assume Prince Harry’sfamily members—like Prince William, Kate Middleton, and, of course, the Queen—will also be in attendance.
TBH, I’m still waiting for my invitation to arrive in the mail.
Victoria Beckham seems like a shoo-in to design Meghan Markle‘s wedding dress: Not only is she an accomplished British designer, but she also has strong ties to the royal family, having attended Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal nuptials in 2011 and celebrated daughter Harper’s 6th birthday with a tea party at the palace last summer. But during an appearance on The Late Late Show on Thursday, Beckham broke fashion hearts everywhere by shutting down the rumors that she’ll be masterminding the soon-to-be Duchess’ gown for the May 19 ceremony.
“How is designing Meghan’s dress? Is it going well?” host James Corden asked, intrepidly, attempting to catch Beckham off-guard. The ploy didn’t work on Posh Spice, though: Beckham vehemently denied that she was doing any such thing.
“Maybe you know something that I don’t! I’m not doing the dress, I’m not,” she said, adding: “Sadly, not. But I’m sure she will look incredible in whatever she wears.”
Check out the full interaction.
[embedded content]
Beckham was, however, less adept at sidestepping Corden’s questions about whether she and husband David Beckham would be attending the upcoming royal wedding: When he asked whether she had received her invitation, the designer responded with a nonsensical, “I don’t know, I’ve been here…” before Corden and fellow guest Shaquille O’Neal began ribbing her for stammering over her answer.
Beckham then attempted to shift the focus off herself, continuing: “I think England is so excited. I mean, it’s just so great, isn’t it? They look so happy!”
She may not be designing the gown, but Beckham has already played a role in Meghan and Harry’s nuptials, in a way: In one of the duo’s official engagement photos that Kensington Palace released last December, the bride-to-be is wearing a creamy white sweater from the Victoria Beckham line.
And, of course, you can keep your fingers crossed for our second favorite Beckham-related rumor regarding the royal wedding—that the Spice Girls are reportedly reuniting to perform at the reception. Not a bad consolation prize, eh?
