Harry & Meghan ‘Played The Palace’ - Used ‘Innocent' Children To Force King Charles Into Meeting

Coming up on this week's Royal Exclusive, did Harry's UK comeback end in triumph or total chaos?Plus, where was Meghan?And is Prince Harry not actually ginger?Meanwhile, is Prince Andrew quietly riding his horse back into royal life?Welcome to this week's show, where we're asking whether Prince Harry's return to Britain was mission accomplished.After a week of palace rows, a court defeat and a private reunion with the King, has Harry finally turned the corner, or is he further away from his family than ever?

But where was Meghan?Plus, as Andrew Mountbatten -Windsor is seen on horseback for the first time since his riding ban in February, Is the King quietly allowing his brother back into royal life?Meanwhile, William and Catherine looked every inch the future King and Queen at Wimbledon.Is their quiet approach paying off while Harry and Meghan continue to dominate the headlines?I'm Matt Wilkinson, Royal Editor of The Sun, and joining me to unpack it all are Bronte Coy, Royal Reporter for news .com .

au, and Royal Biographer Robert Jobson.Welcome to you both.Robert, look, let's be honest.You know the inner workings of Buckingham Palace.You know the King.A royal aide said to me a couple of years ago that they tried everything with Harry, okay?

They'd given him everything he wanted.They had literally cut him off financially.They kicked him out of the house.And then they gave him the silent treatment, okay?So all the talk, you know, everything was happening with Spare and everything happening with Netflix.They gave him the silent treatment and hoped that this, you know, child would just cry himself out.

Now, We have seen Harry, not only Harry, but with Meghan and the two children, seeing the King, meeting also Camilla at Highgrove.Is the silent treatment now over?Has Harry won?Are we now moving into a new era?

Well, timing is everything.I think that the beginning of that reallywas a success.Partially a success for Harry, because he got to see the King, and his children got to see the King, and certainly make him come over, so we're told.But the timing was just a disaster in terms of the court case, because that became the dominant feature of the whole week.And at the same time, the Daily Mail was talking about their victory.

He was trying to pay catch up with his charities.But ultimately, he got really a lot further than I thought he would.I mean, the reality is having time with the king at Highgrove is important.And some people feel that the king should never have done it.

Well, some people find it problematic that he did actually give Harry a bit of time.

Well, there's a feeling, isn't there, that the King may well be kicking back on the deal that was done at the Sandringham Summit with the late Queen.And that's dangerous.I mean, the only reason I would...I don't have a problem with the son seeing the father or grandfather seeing his grandkids.But what you've got to remember is that in that same week that this happened, a Prince of England, as he described himself, and the stay -at -home dad, criticized and lost against the free press of this country where he doesn't live, and lambasted them, said the whole thing was a whitewash, including the judgment.So he called into question the independence of the judiciary.

And of course, he's been suing the government.And that's three pillars of this society that we live in in this country, that his father is actually as king, supposed to defend a free press, an independent judiciary and an elected government.Look, I think that it would have looked disastrous if he'd stayed at Buckingham Palace because that's the headquarters of the royal family and if this Prince of England had been reigning against all those important pillars of the society, that would have been a disaster.I think.And, you know, look, Matt, I think people like Clive Alderton, Sir Clive Alderton, got away with it, rather than planned it, because Harry had played them quite well, all the way down the line, saying, oh, I won't go to the palace, oh, I will go to the palace.And that would have been a disaster.

If he was leaving the headquarters of Monarchy on the day that he did that, basically calling out a judge, I think that would have been a disaster.

We'll get a little bit, we'll get into the details of what did or didn't or how it actually played out at Highgrove.But Bronte, me and you, we were in Birmingham Thursday night and Friday.Harry was there.We were expecting Megan to go.

We'd been told she would be.She ultimately didn't.

But on the Friday afternoon, We learned that Harry and his other children had gone to see, and Meghan had gone to see King and Camilla.What I found interesting, and I want to get your thoughts on it because we were up in Birmingham at the time, was it was interesting that it was Buckingham Palace that made this statement rather than the Sussexes.What do you make of that?

I think that for this meeting to happen with how fragile that relationship has been over the years, and there's been moments where it's been derailed, I think that it was very clear that they must...I mean, because we don't have details of the meeting either.The fact that nothing's really...Do you think we should?

Do you think we should be told?

As journalists, I want to know what happened, obviously, and because there's a natural curiosity.But of course, it's the right thing that it stayed private.And it's so deliberate.The fact that the palace was the one controlling that information, nothing further was released.It's happened because the speculation was right.We were all, as you say, we're in Birmingham with an enormous pack of journalists and everyone was just asking each other, trying to find out whether this meeting meeting was going to happen.

So there was so much interest in it.And you can see why the Palace then wanted to just confirm it's happened, give out nothing else.But I think the fact it came from them rather than the Sussexes was very deliberate.

It will come out eventually.Things always come out.I mean, I've never known any of these things over time.There will be details that emerge.Whether it comes out in a book or on a newspaper, it will come out of it.

These things are not normally private because the people who were there, I'm talking about Harry and Meghan, then talk about them in books.They talk about, you know, the meetings with after the Prince Philip funeral.Well, they talk about it with their people.They talk about it with their people.I mean, they can't have it all.You can't.

They've put so much of their interaction with the royal family into the public realm themselves.And then all of a sudden, they say, oh, guys, this is a private family gathering.

They're not a couple that deal in privacy.But the reality, as Bronte was just saying in this one, it was about trust.And if it had come from the Sussexes, would come from Liam McGuire or whoever you know you talk about the Sussex team it's Liam basically in the UK and if it had come from him then it would have looked very bad I think so I think it needed to come from when it did it was announced you know it was done on a whatsapp from Toby Laundrie.

Shock horror everyone there was whatsapp groups I know people get very triggered by whatsapp groups.

642 for the information came through at 642 And that was it, that they've been and seen it.And I thought Highgrove was a good choice.It's a private residence, even though the king rents it off the Dutch, of course, who technically is William's house.But it was better that it was done that way.we don't know what's happened but I should imagine the fact the one thing that I think is very significant in all of this given that Harry was not overly critical of the king but he was very critical of the of Queen Camilla was that she was there to support the king because and there she was also there to witness what was said um and so that they are covering each other there because you know Meghan and Harry have got a tendency really to try and get their own way and what they need.And I'm sure it would have been better with Camilla there and more difficult for them to almost push the King.

who's a very kind man, a gentle man, I think, into a corner.And so she, you know, she was, you know, they, Diana used to call her the Rottweiler.Well, she was there to protect the king from whatever he might have, you know, when Harry might have said, oh, look, I'm down 30 million this year, this week, or whatever it is, after a court case.You know, any chance of any more money?I'm sure none of that was discussed.And one thing I think would have been just, all the focus would have been on the children, which would have made it a lot easier to have that, that meeting because a lot of stuff would have remained unsaid.

You know, we've all been in family situations where there have been squabbles, but if there's young kids involved, all the adults withdraw and they just let the kids play and it's a lot easier.

We've got to remember that this is all about innocent children.

And I think the one thing I found a bit unsavoury actually in all of this over the last week or so is some of the vitriol from the morons on Twitter and Play X, what it was called, attacking children.You know, about this.These children are completely innocent.They're nothing...Whatever's been said, it's nothing to do with them.They're just kids seeing their grandfather.

And they're not, you know, they're not some special, you know, sort of tool for Harry and Meghan.At the end of the day, they're kids seeing their grandfather.I think we should sometimes remember that and show a little bit of class when it comes to children, anyway.

But while, you know, Charles and Camilla saw Archie and Lilibet, we didn't.We didn't see Meghan and Harry.Do you think that was wise?Do you think that was deliberate to keep them away from us?

Well, she never seems to turn up when Harry's in trouble, does she?

It was such a different week in regards to what we saw of the rest of the family than what was originally planned, obviously, because we discussed this in the lead -up.Harry wanted them all to be there.Meghan was going to be taking part in the public activities with him, and that changed so dramatically, obviously, because of the security.It's funny, when we're recapping it, there are so many flashpoints of problems along the way.There is so many chapters of this.of days that he was here, but so many things happened.

So it was obviously very deliberate that they stayed away.I did think, and it came down, I think, boiled down largely to Harry's concerns over security, but I did think that after Harry had that court case disaster on the day one of his activities.I did have the thought watching him, especially when he got on stage and he put on, you know, he had the mask on, but he would have been so rattled.I was thinking it would have been a good opportunity for her to be there with him as that was happening.He just seemed very, he cut a very solitary figure when it was in the middle of all of this drama unfolding.I just thought maybe she should have been there for that then.

She never supports, like it's not good for her brand, you know, being next to someone who's just lost.

Well, yeah, but I'm just saying exactly, but as a husband and wife, I had the thought, I was thinking it would have been nice.

You're not married, you're all right.

Do you not think it was part of the deal?It was almost like, are you going to have this meeting?But Megan brings a lot of, you know, headlines, Megan, just stay out, don't get photographed and that's part of the deal that they would meet the children.

Well I think that's always been sort of the core of this entire trip and bringing them over here because it's obviously a big deal for them to come here again with Harry's concerns about security.So it was always about the kids meeting the King.I do think I did wonder earlier in the week with all the drama that was going on with the palace back and forth.And then and then obviously with the briefing between the palace with Buckingham Palace, whether they were going to stay there or not.I did wonder whether this would all happen, particularly after Harry's statement on Tuesday, the one you mentioned earlier.So much drama early on in the week.

I wondered if the entire meeting with the King would be derailed.

So we had all the drama we spoke about in depth last week, and it was a dramatic first couple of chaotic, I think we described it the first couple of days.But also the palace were weary and weary, they made that be known, that they were weary and weary about the circus.The King's patience snapped over the farce with Buckingham Palace.So what changed?

Well, I think that they realised they had a venue in Highgrove where they could come to some sort of a deal, if you like, where the bottom line is it would have looked very bad if the children were in England and they didn't see the grandfather.It would have also possibly been one of the last opportunities.We don't know how long the King has got.You know, he's living with cancer and he has been busy meeting people along the way.You know, he saw Michael Fawcett again the other day.There's all sorts of things going on where he wants to, you know, have opportunity to square things off.

And I think it would have been wrong for him not to see the grandchildren.That said, they have played the palace, Eric and Harry, and I think they forced their arms by saying...We were told, Harry said, that in all this he finds the UK unsafe.Was Portugal any safer?I mean, all this baloney about some six terrorist...Six or so terrorist attacks.

I mean, people in the intelligence services, I've spoken to, think it's completely fantasy.It's complete and utter nonsense.It doesn't exist.So it does exist in London, but not in Birmingham.Are you having a laugh?I mean, it's complete baloney.

And the intelligence services are just, you know, and where's this thing come from?It's come from people that work for Harry.People that paid lots and lots of money to increase the amount of people that work around him.I mean, how many people now must be working around me?We've seen how paranoia is fed by these people.Personally, you know, I believe what the intelligence services of this country say and do, and I don't believe there's any higher level of threat.

And that is why Ravik have come back with the actual level of security that he gets.And if you're telling me that they were in Portugal or whatever, and that is more totally safe and Birmingham isn't,is safer than London, it's all nonsense.

It's also why we wouldn't, it would surely be a factor in why we didn't see the family because if they did come in without the security that he wanted and we'd seen them and they were out and about and then they left thankfully without any incidents, I mean that would sort of be, that would go against what his claim is that it's unsafe.They'd look like hypocrites.Well yes, so I think that's, I mean that's probably played a role in it as well.

Do you think it could happen again?Because we have this quiet meeting, nothing so far has come out about it, everyone seems to behave themselves, we've got you know, look, summer holiday soon, everyone's going to be up in Balmoral, do you think that this will become regular?

No.

Really?

I think, I mean, again, we don't have details.As Rob says, you know, they may come out soon.But, you know, you'd have to assume it went well.But it's also just this one meeting.I think it's like the first step on potentially a road to when they're here next year for the Invictus Games.You know, they'll have a meeting then.

But I can't see that they're going to be having cozy holidays.You've got to remember that William and Kate, William and Catherine, I should say.I know it's Catherine.they would surely be very unhappy with the fact that this happened at all.And I don't think that there'll be any sort of like broader family reunion.

To be honest, I think they rise above it, William and Catherine.I think they rightly do.They've got enough on their plate.You know, she's been recovering and they are planning for the future.Their children are doing their own thing.You know, William, their oldest son, George, has gone up to Eton.

I think they're totally over.the whole Meghan and Harry circus, the man child that is Harry is, I find him an odd man, and he's 41 years old or something, and he's still behaving like a teenager and looking for all this sympathy.And we're coming to it later, I'm sure, when we talk about whether he's ginger or not.These shows are tiresome.They're tiresome.That character is someone from 20 years ago.

Is he ever going to grow up?I don't think so.But I think, is it the end of this?Are we, the King going to see him again?Yeah, I'm sure if he's coming over, he'll see his son again.Will we have the whole circus coming to town with all the bells and whistles and Megan and the kids?

I don't think so.I don't think so.And I think when William is eventually king, I think we will see the last of Harry and Megan in this country.

He showed an extraordinary lack of restraint after laying out this plan weeks ago.As I said, we were all discussing in the lead up this, if it was ever, there's some people that are never going to like Harry again and Megan as well.But this plan here, it's where he was going to come and do the thing that he does do best, which is the Invictus Games -related activities.He did stuff to do with the Wellchild and Scottie's Little Soldiers.And then he was going to have this meeting with the kids and the king.And I just thought, It was just such a fiasco before he even got here, for the reasons you're saying, where he just showed no restraint.

It was the security stuff.He's reconsidering it now.It all became an absolute circus, where all the criticism about him is there's a soap opera around you.There's always drama.And the fact that it was all laid out there, and then it just became the drama immediately.

You can't carry on doing this every time.I mean, it is tiresome.There is a circus.And Harry and Meghan are the ones that wear the red noses.The whole thing is, frankly, It's a distraction.The one thing you've got to remember is the Crown is here for a very important purpose.

It's not here as a show.It's here really to show the consistency and time of political upheaval as well.And at the moment we have an outgoing Prime Minister, we have an incoming Prime Minister, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who's just been elected, and there's a lot of disquiet about that.And the monarchy is there to sort of keep that thing level.And at the moment, just as that was all going on, what was the big discussion?It was all about, you know, Harry, and whether Harry's going to get what he wants.

And when we talk about, you know, and I think that he does a good job with his charities.I have nocomplaint about that.But why does there has to be so much noise?You know, Princess Royal is away at the moment in Korea just doing her job The Duke of Edinburgh the Prince Edward is away in Qatar representing the king just doing their job That is what the royal family do best.Harry is simply a great big boy baby when it comes to these things and it's all about what I haven't got what I want so everyone's wrong.

If he'd won that court case against the Daily Mail it wouldn't have been a whitewash it would have been a triumph for the free press.The man is a man child and he'll never change.

But he was talking about you know being immature but he got what he wanted so the tactics that he used got him that meeting with the king and his children.Is he back in?

I think it was in some respects in terms of being forced into it I think once those children were coming to England, the King had no choice.And I don't think you should be holding, I don't think if the Queen had been on the throne, that meeting would have happened.

But he'll be back in Montecito, we don't know if he's back in Montecito yet, but they'll be back, will they be sitting their feet up saying job done?

I think that in some, you answered it, as you said before, in some ways, they hit all the marks in that they were coming here, they wanted to meet with the King, he did the Invictus, the launch, the countdown launch, he did the charity engagements he wanted to do, but So in that regard, yes, that's he ticked those boxes.But again, all of the soap opera around it beforehand completely pulled focus for the week.And I think that was that was an utter failure.That part of it was it was that's all we were talking about.It was completely in fact, you almost forgot why he was coming here earlier in the week, because all we were talking about was, of course, that explosive statement.We were talking about that that absolutely insane briefing conversation as I said between the palace and his team about where he was going to stay.

Buckingham Palace in the week that they just announced that after spending 370 million quid of our money, the taxpayers money, no royals can ever live there anymore, no kings can live there anymore.It's good enough to, you know, we can put Harry up in there.They were very lucky the courtiers, they rescued the situation by luck rather than by actually working it out.

Well let's talk about courtiers for a minute because there were plenty of things that could or maybe did derail Harry's visit here but we think maybe he went away and was happy that he got that meeting because the big baby got what he wanted to put into Rob's world.But let's talk about courtesies because there was an article written in...

The big ginger baby got what he wanted.

There was an article in the mail after their court victory by one of the witnesses, a journalist at the Mail.There was many things in it but the one I want to pick up was she alleged, this was a front page story and we've spoken about it loads, where the Sussex courtiers and the King's courtiers met on a balcony.Now she alleges that that actually came to her from the Sussex aid.I mean is that not one of the most damaging things that that has been reported?

It's one of the most damaging things but I don't think it's too good for the journalists because the one thing you should do as a journalist never reveal your soul so and either she's been told Charlotte Griffiths that that's good for their publicity after winning that case.But I mean, I was surprised she started naming sources.

But now it's out in the open.How can team Buckingham Palace and team Montecito ever work again together if that was the case?Because it's claimed in there I don't think.Well I think it's right.

I mean we think it's right.How can they ever talk to each other again after that?Well they might not.We don't know.I was about to say maybe they never will.But the reality was I believed every although I was shocked that a journalist would start naming sources which I think is pretty abhorrent.

The source wasn't named, it was just said, an aide.

Yeah, but to be honest, there's only one.I mean, in the UK, there's not a team of people working for a...

Well, there were two back then.you've got a 50 % chance.

We get when Tim's talking about Team Sussex, there's Liam Maguire in the UK, someone out in Montecito, there's not some army of people working for him.He's only got a cut, I mean I know he's going to have to, I know he better watch out for the jobs now because I mean he's got to find 30 million quid or whatever it is.

We will move on from this topic but do you think that Buckingham Palace and Montecito can move on with the fact that it's now been revealed that that's where it came from.

It is damaging, but also I was going - It was a private meeting, remember?

We had a private meeting this week, private family gathering.This was allegedly a private meeting sitting on a balcony and that got leaked out.Well, it's not good for trust, is it?

Yes.And someone had obviously leaked it because you can see in the photos, even at the time, and I know you and I have been asking around a lot in that time trying to find out who did leak it.I agree with you.It's dangerous to start revealing sources.But also, Harry's painted himself into such a corner with this because it's you You can't go to war with the press all the time when so much of what he does publicly relies on the press.And so it just looks like, it looks hypocritical to have someone on your team obviously briefing the press about this meeting when obviously he's made such a big deal about it.

Totally hypocritical.And it's also ridiculous.How can someone be a PR advising, trying to build relationships with journalists, working with someone that's suing the press all the time?Of course, that's a very difficult job.But if they are revealed, if the press start revealing who their sources are, then that's the end of what we do in our trade.You're supposed to go to prison before you reveal your source.

And yet people are just saying, oh yeah, they told me that.Unbelievable.

Just to point out, it never ends, Rob.It's never going to be the end of our...There's always things happening with this family.

I don't think it's the end of journalism.I don't think it's the end of the story.But I think if journalists start giving away their sources without protecting their sources, it's the worst thing that could possibly happen in journalism.It's one thing you cannot do.

Right, final question before we move on to, or try to move on to the next topic.Who was the winner last week?

In the end, Harry and Meghan getting this meeting with the King and the kids was a big win.

Who was the winner?

I would say Lily and Archie because they saw their grandfather, but there were no other winners.Yeah, fine.

Right, so Rob, you mentioned earlier about a podcast.Joe Marler, so he was a former rugby player.He's a bit of a character, let's be honest.And he was in Traitors, and he was absolutely brilliant in the UK version of Traitors.He's got a podcast called Joe Marler Will See You Now.Harry appeared in it.

Can I use the word banter?I don't often like the word banter, but it was 40 minutes of banter.The thing that jumped out to me was, and I don't know if this was banter, if it was jokes, if it was an attempt at a joke that failed, Harry says he's not Ginger, he's Summer Auburn.

I mean, my brother's a redhead, and this is his favourite thing to do.He always says, I'm not suggesting that, maybe he was serious, maybe this is the hill that Harry wants to die on, but I know that my brother's favourite thing is to say, it's a strawberry blonde.I think that's a bit of a redhead bit, but I don't know, he should own it at this point, as you said, he's a man in his forties.

Where does this chat sit with you in the week of, you know, we had the family drama, we had him doing some nice charity things, where does this podcast sit with you?

Well, one minute you're going on about taking on the reigning against the pillars of the United Kingdom's established society.The next minute, you're talking about Ginger and other things.

All sorts of stuff.His grooming routine.

And I thought that was all...I mean, it's all stuff that, you know, you may get away with when you're 21, but not when you're 41.Is he going to be doing this in 10 years' time, playing the Harry, you know, little banter lad type...I mean, you know, he's getting a little bit...I mean, he's getting a little bit...of it was totally unsavoury.

He's 41 years old now.It's a really good point.

Grow up, man. I think that if you are going to be taken seriously, start doing a few things that you should be taken seriously for.This is the sort of thing they started doing when they were so old.when they were 20.And I thought the show actually, you know, just about whether you're ginger or not.I mean, frankly, is that the level of conversation they've reached?Honestly, what a load of old baloney.

I did laugh out loud a few times, but I don't like toilet humour.So that part I had to really skip over.I think there was just a heavy toilet humour, which I found quite surprising.I thought it was pathetic.

But, you know, remember, he did rail against his brother.They used to have this thing about William being bored and Harry, Edward William, and then said, oh, you're ginger and all this.And, you know, it was a joke that used to sort of happen a long time ago.And maybe in his comments was sort of having a little pop at William.You never know, because there was always that.banter about whether he's ginger or not, but who cares?

He did reference his evolving hairline actually in the interview, I noticed.I feel like he's having to, he's an evolving hairline at the moment.

We did that on Friday when we were in Birmingham, he said in his speech, he said, you know, I started just 13 years ago, some people look a little bit older, some people look a little bit younger, some people have less hair than they did back then.

But we can't all have Matt's hairline.

That's true.That is not an evolving hairline.That's very firmly established.I do think he's owning the baldness a little bit more now.I don't know if he has a choice, I think.he's just reached that point but I did notice that he did bring that up.

But it was a rubbish show though.I thought the whole show was a bit sort of just a bit cheap really.What was the point of him appearing on it?

Well the point of it was to talk about Invictus Games but as it's just a complete symbol of what happened last week it was meant to be about Invictus Games but that just got lost within all the noise.That's true.That's exactly what happened.

It all got lost within the noise.As I said earlier this was the thing it should have been it was supposed to beclear playbook.He was going to come here.I don't think he's going to win over New Legions of fans at any point here in Britain.But he was going to do what he does well, and that's the best shot he had.

And as we said, it all got so noisy with everything else, you forgot what he was doing.

It's disinvictus games, though.There was some talk about whether it would carry on long -term anyway.And it does require a lot of money from governments wherever it's being hosted.

Oh, we've paid a lot of money.The British taxpayers have paid millions.

I mean, you know, is this something long term that will continue?Because that really is, you know, that's to his credit that he has enabled it to continue.But that was already, that was also being called into question.

But he's brought it back to Birmingham, as they pointed out on that show, because that's where the hospital was for soldiers when they were taken back to Afghanistan.So it's almost like they're calling it their spiritual home.So I think they want to make this one absolutely huge, get the most coverage, so they do get more money, they do get more sponsors in the future.There's a lot resting on this one in Birmingham.A lot riding on this, yeah, absolutely.Good news, everybody.

Did you know, and I only found out on the way to the studio this morning, this wonderful news that With Love Megan is nominated for a Daytime Emmy.Is that a surprise?

Yes.Look, I've always said we don't know what we want to do with Megan.You don't want her in royal life.Totally get that.She has to go and get a job and earn money somehow.So she's launched the show.

My biggest complaint about the show was just that I found it quite boring.So I am shocked.I mean, it was glossy.It was nicely produced.It just didn't have a lot of substance.I was actively bored.

So when I saw that it had been nominated, I was surprised.

I'm pretty sure Thomas won, I think he's got two Emmys.

A Grammy.

Emmys or Grammys.He got a lighting, didn't he?He won Emmys, yeah.

But what do you have to do to get nominated for an Emmy?How does it work?It must be quite a low bar, is all I would say.

Was it Outstanding Lifestyle Series?

Nominated for two Emmys.Emmy for Outstanding Day...Yeah, that one.

I don't know...I mean, how many Lifestyle Series are there?Maybe it just wasn't a very crowded field this year.

But look, she's, you know, she's still well...She'll get some of it, doesn't she?She'll get some of it because...Do you remember...I think you broke the story about MasterChef.

That's coming out now.Yes, actually I wrote about this yesterday.That episode's airing at the end of next week, I think it is.

Have you seen it?

I've not seen it yet, no, but I've seen the promos.I mean, MasterChef is, people love it, but it's very, it's kind of, we love Megan Eaton that there's not, there's not going to be any big news headlines out of it.

Didn't Charles and Camilla did that in Australia as well, didn't they?

Yeah, it's very family friendly.I'm trying not to use the word beige.MasterChef is a good show, but it's, yeah.

No, we're not going to be tuning in.

No, but you know, we had all the...I mean, I do want to just see when I'm watching it, if I can sense tension, because I did break the story about the drama behind the scenes when they were filming that day.

What, because she was called Duchess of Sussex?

Yes.

Tell us more.

So that was, I was told that they were standing outside the doors, so they do the big entrance, so you have Judge Poligno in Australia introduced her and used the phrase Duchess of Royalty and apparently her and her team were, I was told, very frustrated by that.

But again, I find that confusing.

Why?She uses it on her cars.But I'm the same, I'm confused by it.They were frustrated by it.She apparently didn't hear it being said and only saw it in the promo which came out later that day, which was in the middle of this Australia tour.

What's the expression?Me think she protested too much.What a load of nonsense.

But they also said Markle in that, which was... interesting because of course, well exactly, famously the Mindy Kaling quote.So anyway, I will watch the episode to see if I can sense any tension because as we know she was, yeah, not happy.

Great, I can't wait to not watch it.So there was an amazing juxtapositionThere often is.The Royal Weeks are often very well planned.I want to talk about a couple of events from the week.We didn't see, as we pointed out many times, we didn't see Meghan, didn't see Archie, didn't see Lily, but just to point out, no one was actually running around chasing after them.

So it'll be interesting to see if they bring them back.back next time.It wasn't like there was mass press packs searching the country for him.People just weren't doing that.But there's two things I want to pick up.Actually, one thing at the beginning.

Did you see that William went to Hastings?Yes.Which is the home of 1066, obviously, the Battle of Hastings, where William the Conqueror defeated a herald.With an arrow in his eye.Do you think that was a deliberate little cheeky thing to poke fun at?

Well, he won the gulf, didn't he?He won the crazy gulf, William.I think he did rather well.I don't think so, but it was quite fun, wasn't it?

Because I was a little bit slow to the party.I think it's a great little line, actually.I might nick it.

One in the eye.

Were you two with the party?

One in the eye for William, man, as he conquers over her.I did think the thing that was also significant was... how much we saw of Catherine and the children.

100%, let's get onto that.

And when we, there was obviously the great, the polo match, the charity matches that William was riding in, and there was Catherine looking a million dollars, as always.Very chic in a summer dress.

Three days in a row.

And then we had Wimbledon, bang.And then there were no backs of heads there.We had Ed, George, and we had Charlotte.impeccably behaved, looking fantastic, you know, there in the show, a little bit of fun.Poor, I always feel a bit sorry for Louis, he doesn't seem to ever get invited, I don't know why.But, you know, it was a long, a long period.

But then all this at the same weekend that, you know, Louis and Archer met their grandfather, so in all secret.So this was royalty in plain sight, this was the future family being seen,and showing what's good about the monarchy, actually good about the royal family.Very British day out at Wimbledon.impeccably behaved kids, looking great and everyone having a good time.

They're showing what you can do, that you don't have to hide away, that you can actually get out, show yourself and behave and everyone loves you.There is a way to do it.

You guys, both of you have obviously worked in the royal space for a while and you speak to people within the palace.How deliberate was all of these outings?Do you think, like, was this a deliberate?They were very busy last week.

The royals had a lot of engagements.And if you think, you know, they went to a zoo, King driving around in a tank, go to the Battle of Hastings.Very attention grabbing.There was a lot of things.But I think the polo was always going to happen.She always goes.

I've been many years.She's often there.And they always go to Wimbledon.So I think it was just...

Yeah, it's timing again.But at the same time, it's the way they did it.The way they did it.And I think that William has certainly got one eye on the future.And that eye will obviously include...It will include his children and the role that they will play.

And there are certain opportunities where you can let the public see them.And they are an important part of the future.They are the future of family.But I think he's doing it, him and Catherine are doing it very well, actually.I think that there's no drama.There was no drama about that.

It was just an, oh, by the way, the children will be going.And so people are aware it's gonna happen.Very smooth, very slick.And everybody, and it just happened.Whereas the whole thing about, You know, with Lillian Archie and The King and Megan.It was just a drama from the beginning to end.

You know, it started when Liam issued the statement of the whole programme of events.Then that all changed because it was being changed on an hourly basis by his boss.I mean, it was all a bit unfortunate, wasn't it?And unfortunately, the whole thing doesn't... sit well for the future of the royal family.There's definitely a divided crown here of the future.clearly a much, they're almost on their separate path.

They're almost above everything else.That's the Wales family with their kids.And I think they do a very good job.They do a good job, but I don't think it's easy.

I don't think what they do, it looks easy.No, it's not.Catherine turns up, looks wonderful, smiles, is lovely to people and everyone just adores her.I've been watching it and I think that's difficult.I'm interested.

She's really done, she's got it.You know, I think after what she's been through and we shouldn't you know pass that over but she's doing a terrific job at the moment I mean if you see I mean, I think they'll probably start doing more, you know For the government going forward, but the fact is at the moment they've had that period of time where they've been trying to get to terms with what happened to Catherine.And they're moving on very well, I think.And they're being seen a lot more.And they are really.They're doing the job that the monarchy is supposed to do.

Is there anyone comparable?

So Catherine walks into Wimbledon, the whole place stands up and gives her a round of applause.Is there anyone in the UK or maybe the world that has that power?

It's, it's, it is so much bigger than celebrity.It's just, there's, there is, as you say, it's that power.She walked in that video of her walking into Wimbledon, as it is, as every year it happens.That has been, that is all over my, every social media feed because people are captivated by it.They love it.And that's her simply entering, entering the arena.

And I think that that's, I mean, that there's, that's what she's so good at harnessing.That's the thing.She's, she's worked out so well.

Well, I haven't seen anything like, I mean, I used to be around when Princess Diana was in, she'd walk in the room and there was a, But I think that Catherine has that aura too.And I think the only other person I ever really saw had that impact was her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.And I just, I think that everybody else, you know, it's slowed down.The King has, obviously he's the King and he has that sense of, you know, of history when he walks into a room.But those three women, I think really, you know,something which is incredibly special.

It's great to see, a great antidote to all the drama of the week I think, seeing Catherine with the children.

All they had to do was go out and do their jobs and they did it very well at a time when it was the perfect comparison and this is exactly what I was saying about Harry not having the restraint going into this.He could have just gone in, hit all the marks that he needed to hit and carried on but instead it was a huge own goal because he got in his own way once again.

Well, let's talk about Andrew.Rob, I want you to get on your high horse.You have been getting on your high horse the whole episode.Get on your high horse on Andrew.Famously, Andrew was always photographed at Windsor.And famously, he was on his horse.

And what annoyed the palace was that he was often seen smiling, joking, waving at inappropriate times when things were coming out about Virginia Dufay, when things were coming about Epstein, he'd be out on his high horse riding around.So the horses were taken away from him when he moved up to Marsh Farm.However, we do have pictures of him getting back onto his horse but Rob it's just temporary.He was only given the horses on a short little loan and now they're going to head back.Should he just be allowed to go out and ride his horse?I think so.

I think at this moment in time this is a man who's not been charged.His relationship with Epstein was deplorable.His judgment is...It can rub appalling but this very time he's not been charged with anything and I think he should be allowed to ride a horse I'm I'm sure that if he What I don't understand is You know, he's not allowed to do certain things.I mean the reality is I think when he was at Windsor I I don't think he was in a very good place, shall we say, when he was doing some of those strange things of waving at people and talking to passers -by.

Struck me that he was going through a bit of an issue, I don't know what, but...And now, what we really need to do is..bored rigid, he's up in Marsh Farm, and there's nothing to do.Well, if he could go out and ride a horse, I don't think there's, I think for his mental health, I don't think that's probably a good thing.I just would wish that this investigation would sort of move on.I think everybody wants to know what's going to happen.

I'm sure that the detectives are doing their best job.But it's very difficult for anybody in a situation like this.And I have no sympathy for Andrew whatsoever.I think his judgment, as I said, has been beyond the power.He never apologized to the victims of Epstein.And, you know, we only have to look at what happened to Virginia Cuffray to say how appalling.

Until there is some sort of movement on this and until we know that he's either guilty or not guilty or there's going to be no charges or there's going to be a court case, I think a man should be allowed to ride a horse if he wants to ride a horse.

I completely agree.I don't think anyone has sympathy for Andrew at this point.Obviously, he's denied the allegations.But now that he's up there, this is his life, he's got nothing going on, which is fine.I don't know the point.I don't see the point of taking away an outdoor activity, letting go and ride a horse.

That's not impacting us.But you're right, everything's in limbo.And I think that as long as there's no, we don't have an outcome or a resolution in this, and who knows how long it will be until we do, it does seem to just be casting a shadow and going on and on.But yeah, the photos of him smiling on the horse were not great optics at that time.But in this case, I just think.Keep him busy with that, he might not do anything.

His behaviour at Royal Lodge, let's be honest, I remember somebody told me that there was a cricket match and he just turned up as if he was there as a Royal and started chatting to everyone.He was pretty lonely, I think, and a little bit making odd decisions.But at the same time, and I think the Princess Royal and Edward were worried about him,health so if you are able to ride a horse and it's apparently from people that have got disadvantages right interactions the horses are pretty good.

Yeah well guys we've got time for our quickfire questions and our first question is very very topical so we've just been talking about it so question number one Prince Andrew is reportedly bored living at Marsh Farm but what new hobby should he take up?He's a bit clean, guys.

You know, maybe a game of solitaire or something.He'd become a master of just the very solo games.I think just stay focused on that.I think that just as long as he's sort of on his own and focusing on staying off the internet and not emailing anyone, I think that's perfect.

It has to be indoors, because they get very angry when he's off.

Exactly.That's why I'm thinking solitaire's good.Saltry, he's inside.

I'm told they can't find a chef for him to work for him.because nobody wants to do well.

Hang on, Meghan Markle, everybody.

But I'd suggest that he, you know, probably the best thing he could probably do is to learn to cook because he can't find a chef and maybe go on a pizza course.

Yeah.

Pizza Express.

Question number two so on the podcast we were discussing earlier Harry was asked who was the most famous person in his phone he said two rugby players Dylan Hartley and James Haskell but put you guys on the spot who is the most famous person in your phone?

I'll say this one because my British friends get very excited about this person, so you tell me whether you do.I used to work with the wife of Alan Fletcher, aka Dr Karl from Neighbours, and so he was at my wedding and he's a good friend, but it's so funny because in Australia we get, you know, there's a very small group of people and you sort of get used to seeing people out and about.but in Britain whenever anyone has seen that if I post a photo with him or anything it's like oh my gosh it's Dr. Carl!

This is so niche for a certain generation growing up in the UK yeah Dr. Carl Kennedy of Neighbours he's like one of the most famous people I've ever seen.

He's such a great person too.Can you ring him now?What time is it in Australia?

Oh okay you get out of it okay fine.Rob can you beat Dr. Carl Kennedy from Neighbours?Matt Wilkinson is fine.

I don't have your number, Matt.

No, I've got a couple.I'm not sure I should really say that.

It's a security thing, isn't it?

But, I mean, one of them is called Nigel.

Does it rhyme with garage?

Yeah.But I've got that number.But I have got a couple of other numbers that are quite famous, but I don't think I should say.

Fair enough.And finally, Fergie, or Sarah Ferguson, and comedian Alan Carr were reportedly planning a road trip TV show.But which Royal and comedian would you like to see team up for a road trip?

I can see the King and Michael McIntyre, that sort of style.I think Michael McIntyre is so funny, but that observational sort of thing.I'd love to see them.

He'd annoy the King, I'm sure he would annoy him.

Yeah, great show.That's a great show then.I want to watch that.

Who's the guy that's the one that's The long hair.

Russell Brand?

Yeah, I think Russell Brand and Prince Andrew.Andrew Margot Winslet.

Oh, wow.

I remember James Corden and Harry did like a bus tour around Los Angeles.Wasn't that awful?Don't repeat that.All right.Guys, thanks very much.As I say, it was a crazy week and it's good to properly digest and analyse everything that went on.

So maybe we'll have a quiet a couple of months without...

When everyone says that, you know that it's all going to blow up.

You know he's not allowed to say the Q word.

Always something blows up.Everyone says it's always going to be a quiet August.Yeah, never is.

We know who to blame now if some news breaks.You've jinxed it.Yes.

It always happens, I promise you.The biggest stories in the royal calendar, the death of the Queen, which was building up to...I know it happened on September the 8th, but it was a pretty busy August that time.And of course, Princess Diana, I remember that.

Rob, I was trying to finish on a positive light to end the show.Can we have a little positive?Well, you're going away on holiday.I've done my holiday.

You went from Russell Brand and Andrew into that.

I actually thought that was quite a good one, but there we are.

Time to finish.Thanks, guys.Generally, thanks for coming on.It's been brilliant.Thank you.Right, that's all we have time for on this week's Royal Exclusive.

Thanks to my guests Bronte and Robert, and thanks to you for watching.And as always, remember to comment as well as subscribe to us here on our Royal Exclusive YouTube channel for the latest Royal news.We will see you next week.