Meghan gives birth to baby girl called Lilibet Diana

LONDON  - Meghan, Britain's Duchess of Sussex has given birth to her second child, a baby girl, who she and husband Prince Harry have named after Queen Elizabeth and his late mother Princess Diana.

Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Friday at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, with Harry in attendance.

"On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe," Harry and Meghan said in a statement.

"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

Their press secretary said both mother and baby were doing well and were back at home.

Their first child, Archie, was born in 2019. 

(Reporting by Michael Holden and Andy Bruce; Editing by Alexander Smith and Raissa Kasolowsky)

-reuters-

'We're not racist', says Prince William after Meghan and Harry interview

LONDON - Prince William said on Thursday that Britain's royals were not racist after Meghan, wife of his younger brother Harry, said one unnamed member of the family had asked how dark their son Archie's skin might be.

The revelation emerged during an explosive tell-all interview Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, gave to Oprah Winfrey which was aired on Sunday, plunging the British monarchy into its biggest crisis since the 1997 death of Princess Diana, William and Harry's mother.

On a visit to a school in east London, William said he had not talked to Harry since the interview was broadcast just over three days ago.

"I haven't spoken to him yet but I will do," William, 38, said.

Asked by a reporter if the royal family was racist, William said: "We're very much not a racist family."

In the two-hour show, Meghan also said the royals had ignored her pleas for help while she felt suicidal, while Harry said his father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, had let him down and that he had felt trapped.

On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace issued a statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, the princes' grandmother, in which she said the family were saddened by how challenging the couple had found the last few years.

The statement added the issues of race were concerning and would be treated very seriously, but pointedly stated "some recollections may vary".

The Palace have said that it was a family matter that should be dealt with privately.

During the interview, Harry laid bare how distant he had come from the other members of his family, saying his father had stopped taking his calls at one point, and saying there was "space" in his relationship with William.

"Much will continue to be said about that ... as I said before, you know, I love William to bits, he's my brother, we've been through hell together and we have a shared experience," he said. "But we're on different paths."

The interview was watched by 12.4 million viewers in Britain and 17.1 million in the United States.

It has proved divisive among the British public: some believe it showed how outdated and intolerant the institution was, while others decried it as a self-serving assault that neither Elizabeth nor her family deserved.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

-reuters-

'Sad' Prince Harry says he did not want to end royal role

LONDON - Britain's Prince Harry spoke on Sunday of his unhappiness at being forced to give up his royal duties in a deal with Queen Elizabeth and senior Windsors that will see him and his wife Meghan exit official roles to seek an independent future.

Buckingham Palace and the queen announced on Saturday that Harry and Meghan would no longer be working members of Britain’s monarchy, no longer use their "Royal Highness" titles and would now pay their own way in life, freeing them to forge new careers.

The new arrangement was struck to end a crisis the couple sparked by announcing earlier month they wanted to cut down on official engagements and spend more time in North America, while remain active royals.

In a speech to the Sentebale charity on Sunday, a clearly upset Harry said the final outcome was not want he had wanted.

"Our hope was to continue serving the queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations without public funding. Sadly that wasn't possible," the prince, the sixth-in-line to the throne, said.

"I've accepted this knowing it doesn't change who I am, or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that I would step back from all I have ever known to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life."

Under the arrangement, Harry will remain a prince and the couple will keep their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they begin a new life split between Britain and North America where they will spend the majority of their time. But they will not take part in any future ceremonial events or royal tours.

Royal commentators said it amounted to an “abdication” from the "firm" - as the royals are known - and showed that, under the warm words in which she said Harry and Meghan were much loved, the queen had taken a firm and decisive line by insisting on a clean break.

"It brings me great sadness that it has come to this," Harry said.

"I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years but with a clearer perspective," he said. "The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change."

The couple’s plans for independence, announced after a long break over the Christmas period in Canada, caught the rest of the royal family by surprise earlier this month and left the queen and other senior Windsors hurt and disappointed, according to royal sources.

However, in a TV interview aired in October, both had made it clear how they were struggling with the immense media attention.

Harry said he felt his wife had faced “bullying” from some tabloids similar to that faced by his mother Princess Diana who died in a car crash while trying to escape paparazzi photographers.

A friend of the couple also said last week they felt they had been driven out by some members of the royal family.

"I was born into this life and it is a great honor to serve my country and the queen," he said.

"When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long but the media is a powerful force and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us."

Buckingham Palace have said the couple would no longer receive public money and that they would repay the cost of refurbishing their cottage in Windsor, which official figures show amounted to 2.4 million pounds.

But certain details, such as their future security arrangements or whether the couple could continue to use the “Sussex Royal” title for their website and branding, have either not been finalized or publicly revealed.

Meghan is currently in Canada with their baby son Archie and Harry is expected to join her soon.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier on Sunday he believed that the whole of Britain would want to wish the very best to the couple for their future.

"As I said before ... I was sure that the royal family, which has been around a very long time, will find a way forward," Johnson told Sky News.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Obamas, not Kardashians, seen as model for Meghan and Harry rebrand

As newly liberated royals, Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have the world at their feet with the potential to make money in areas ranging from fashion and speaking engagements to forming their own production company.

But the couple, formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, should move wisely to make themselves financially independent in a world where social media influencers like Kim Kardashian reign and where their visibility will be magnified rather than reduced, branding experts and Hollywood observers say.

"Brand Sussex is a global brand and could end up making an absolute fortune, from public speaking to Meghan reinventing her lifestyle blog, to merchandising or brand endorsements," said Nick Bullen, editor-in-chief of True Royalty TV.

Harry and Meghan shocked Queen Elizabeth when they announced on Wednesday they wanted to lead a more independent life, and finance it themselves.


Meghan's background as an actress on the US television show "Suits" immediately prompted speculation she could return to acting.

But the range of options open to them is far wider. It could include establishing an independent production company to make television shows, documentaries, podcasts or movies along the lines of the Higher Ground company formed by ex-President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

Harry already has teamed up with Oprah Winfrey to produce a forthcoming documentary focusing on mental health for Apple's new streaming service. Apple declined to respond to queries about further collaborations with the prince.

"The Obamas are a great model for how to make money and keep it classy. They could find projects that are moving and sometimes Meghan could be in them. If it's a documentary, maybe Harry could narrate it," said veteran Hollywood public relations strategist Howard Bragman.

Bragman said the pair should be judicious about their choices because "the level of scrutiny they are going to get is going to be ridiculous, and not always fair."

The booming public speaking circuit in North America could prove to be a lucrative source of income.

"Big name speakers get well into 6 figures to make an appearance or give a speech at an event. If they choose to pursue that avenue, they would be considered in the top echelon of speakers," said Jeff Jacobson, co-founder of Canada-based Talent Bureau.

ECLIPSED ON INSTAGRAM

Meghan has considerable clout in the fashion world. Global fashion search platform Lyst in November named her the world's most powerful dresser of 2019 and last year she launched a clothing collection in Britain to benefit an organization that helps underprivileged women secure employment.

Britain's Sun newspaper reported on Friday that the duchess was discussing a project with French fashion house Givenchy, which made her wedding dress in 2018. Reuters could not confirm the report.

The "half-royal" duo will also face stiff competition from established celebrities and YouTubers, who can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars from a single endorsement on social media.

"Harry and Meghan have a combined Instagram following of 10 million, which is eclipsed by the likes of (soccer player) Cristiano Ronaldo with nearly 200 million," said Los Angeles branding expert Jeetendr Sehdev, author of "The Kim Kardashian Principle."

Building a social media following means being candid, fearless and transparent. "That is a challenge for the royal family because they have always tried to be the most neutral people," he said.

"The Meghan and Harry brand is like a start-up. There is lots of potential but no proven value yet," Sehdev added.

Bragman however said that the mixed race couple "are very representative of what brands are looking for today."

"If Harry and Meghan call you up and say, 'Hey, we'd like to have a meeting to talk about a project', who's not going to go to that meeting?," he said.

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Backlash over Tim Hortons offer to Harry, Meghan

MONTREAL — A Canadian coffee chain that offered disenchanted British royals Prince Harry and his wife Meghan free coffee for life if they move to Canada has faced an online backlash.

The response came after Tim Hortons -- synonymous with coffee in Canada -- posted a tongue-in-cheek tweet on Wednesday saying: "No pressure, Meghan and Harry, but if you do choose to move to Canada, free coffee for life. Think about it."

The offer proved hard to swallow for Canadians upset by the chain's labor relations practices. Canadian media reported that a branch of Tim Hortons in Winnipeg locked out unionized workers who were asking for a pay rise.

In a shock announcement on Wednesday Harry and Meghan said they will step back as senior members of the royal family and spend more time in North America, where Meghan lived for several years while filming the television series "Suits."


One Twitter user observed that the royals "can afford to buy the company. Your employees can't afford the rent."

An observer in Quebec commented: "Y'know, the company that cuts break times for employees on minimum wages... and offers free coffee for members of the royal family."

"No pressure, Tim Hortons, but you'll stop losing customers if you use that money for free lifetime coffee for Meghan and Harry to stop nickel and diming your employees into a strike over 10 cents an hour," said a Twitter user with the handle "Oooh, Canada!"

Agence France-Presse

British royal family hurt and disappointed by Harry and Meghan announcement

LONDON -- Britain's royal family was hurt and disappointed by the shock announcement by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan that they will step back from their senior roles and spend more time in North America, a royal source said.

Harry and Meghan's announcement, made on social media on Wednesday evening, took Queen Elizabeth, Harry's grandmother, and Prince Charles, Harry's father, by surprise and they were not consulted on the statement.

Harry said that after months of reflection and discussion, the couple planned to carve out a "progressive new role" by stepping back and splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America to allow them their family the space it needed.

They hope to become financially independent and set up a new charity, while continuing some royal duties.

Cast by the couple as an exciting next step, it was not immediately clear how the couple will become what royal biographers said was akin to being a "half royal" -- and who will pay for their transatlantic lifestyles.

Royal commentators drew parallels with the abdication crisis of Edward VIII who gave up the throne in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson and lived out his life in France.

Buckingham Palace said discussions with Harry and Meghan were at an early stage.

"We understand their desire to take a different approach but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through," it said.

Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, a divorcee whose mother is African-American and father is white, married in May 2018 in a lavish ceremony in Windsor Castle, and at the time it was heralded as a sign of a more modern monarchy.

Last year, Meghan gave birth to their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

But their relationship with the media turned sour as they struggled to deal with the intense scrutiny it brought.

There have been negative stories criticizing their use of private jets while promoting environmental causes and the 2.4 million pound ($3.08 million) taxpayer-funded renovation of their new home.

The couple, whose titles are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, began legal action against some tabloid newspapers in October over historic phone-hacking and invasion of privacy.

Harry described the treatment of his wife as "bullying," and likened it to that of his mother, Princess Diana, before her death in a Paris car accident in 1997, when her limousine crashed as it sped away from chasing paparazzi.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Britain's Prince Harry, Meghan to step back as 'senior' royals

LONDON — Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will step back as senior members of the royal family and spend more time in North America, the couple said in a shock announcement on Wednesday.

The surprise news follows a turbulent year for the monarchy, with signs that the couple have increasingly struggled with the pressures of royal life and family rifts.

"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," they said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," they added.

"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America."

What constitutes a senior royal is not officially defined, although it is generally considered to be one who is close to the throne and continually carries out duties on behalf of the crown.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent Christmas in Canada after speaking of the pressure of being in the spotlight following their fairytale wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018 and son Archie's birth in May.

They had previously announced they would miss Christmas with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family, choosing to spend it instead with the duchess' mother, Doria Ragland.

Harry, who is sixth in line to the throne, said in October that he and his brother Prince William were on "different paths" and admitted tension in their relationship.

"We don't see each other as much as we used to because we are so busy but I love him dearly," he said in an ITV television interview.

MEDIA WAR 

Meghan also admitted that it had been a "struggle" becoming a mother while living under an intense media spotlight.

There are rumors of a feud with William's wife Kate, and she said her British friends had warned her not to marry Harry.

"The British tabloids will destroy your life," she said they told her.

Asked in the ITV interview if she was "not really OK" and life had "really been a struggle", she replied simply: "Yes.".

The couple recently launched legal action against British tabloid The Mail on Sunday for alleged invasion of privacy over a letter from the duchess to her father. It came with a stinging statement from Harry about general tabloid coverage.

Harry is also suing 2 newspaper groups over alleged voice mail interception, or phone hacking.

Asked if Meghan was facing the same media pressures as Diana, Harry replied: "I have a family to protect.

"I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum."

The royals had hoped to turn over a new page in 2020 following a year of trials and tribulations that Queen Elizabeth called "quite bumpy" in her Christmas Day message.

Last year began with the monarch's husband Prince Philip overturning his Land Rover after crashing it into an oncoming car.

It ended with the 98-year-old walking gingerly out of a London hospital after four nights of treatment for what Buckingham Palace described as a "pre-existing condition".

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew -- often referred to as the queen's "favorite son" -- was dogged throughout the year by allegations that he had sex with one of the victims of US pedophile Jeffrey Epstein when she was a teenager.

He denies the allegations.

Agence France-Presse 

Queen admits 'bumpy' year in Christmas message

LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II will describe 2019 as "quite bumpy" in her traditional Christmas Day message, after a year of crises which saw Britain divided over its impending exit from the European Union and her son Prince Andrew forced to withdraw from public life.

The 93-year-old monarch, whose husband Philip is receiving treatment in hospital, will use her televised address on Wednesday to reflect on the need for reconciliation.


The royal family was swept up in scandals that included a calamitous BBC interview with the queen's second son who tried to distance himself from American pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The interview in which Andrew denied having sex with one of Epstein's alleged victims was widely ridiculed and reportedly criticized within Buckingham Palace, forcing him to "step back from public duties".

In a portion of her Christmas speech released in advance, the queen says the life of Jesus shows the importance of reconciliation.

It teaches "how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding," she says.

"The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference."

'HE'S ALRIGHT'

Britain endured a year of political drama linked to its delayed withdrawal from the European Union.

The queen was dragged into the saga when she approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's request to suspend parliament in August -- with opponents accusing him of trying to close down debate on Brexit.

The Supreme Court subsequently ruled that Johnson's request had been unlawful. 

The monarch has only symbolic power -- by convention, she always follows the advice of her ministers and Johnson was widely criticized for having put her in an impossible position.

The queen's grandson Prince Harry and his American former actress wife Meghan Markle were also in the news, speaking about their struggles living in the public eye.

Prince Harry took legal action against two tabloids in October accusing them of intercepting voicemail messages.

Meghan filed a separate case against a newspaper that published excerpts of a letter her estranged father wrote to her.

Prince Philip's difficult year began with a car accident in which two women were injured. The police found the 98-year-old responsible but brought no charges.

Buckingham Palace has released little information about Philip's condition since his hospitalization on Friday for "treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition".

"He's alright," Philip's son Charles told a reporter during a visit in northern England on Monday.

"Once you get to that age things don't work as well."

'SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION'

The queen has remained one of Britain's most popular figures despite the royal family's travails.

A poll by YouGov in November showed 72 percent of respondents had a positive opinion of the monarch.

Prince Charles's approval was just 46 percent.

The queen's Christmas Day message reflects on the heroism of British forces during the D-Day landings in Normandy that turned the course of World War II in 1944.

In June she made an increasingly rare trip to abroad to attend the 75th anniversary commemorations in France.

"For the 75th anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formerly been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them," the queen says in her message.

"By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honor the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost."

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Harry and Meghan to miss Christmas with the queen

LONDON, United Kingdom—Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who recently complained about the pressures of life in the media spotlight, announced Thursday they will not spend Christmas with the rest of the royal family.

Instead of joining Queen Elizabeth II at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England, the couple and baby Archie will spend the holiday with Meghan's mother, who lives in the United States.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month," said a statement issued by the couple, who married last year.

"Having spent the last 2 Christmases at Sandringham, their royal highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the duchess's mother, Doria Ragland.

"This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the royal family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen."

It was not immediately clear if the couple would travel to visit Ragland, or invite her to Britain.

The announcement comes just weeks after Harry and his wife, a former US actress, gave a remarkably candid television interview about the pressure they felt from being the subject of global media interest.

The couple are suing a British tabloid for a story about Meghan and her father, and the prince is also suing 2 newspaper groups for phone hacking.

Speaking to ITV television last month, Harry referenced his mother Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while being pursued by photographers.

"I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum," he said.

He also confirmed reports of tensions with his brother Prince William, the second in line to the throne.

Meghan admitted that being a new mother while being in the spotlight was a "struggle."

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Prince Harry admits he and Prince William are 'on different paths'

LONDON- Prince Harry has admitted he and his brother are now "on different paths" and have "good days" and "bad days" in their relationship.

The Duke of Sussex has been plagued by rumors in recent months of a rift between him and Prince William, and in an interview with ITV, he acknowledged that "inevitably stuff happens" given their high-profile role and the pressure the family faces.

Speaking during his recent tour of southern Africa with his wife Meghan Markle, he said: "We are brothers. We will always be brothers.

"We are certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him as I know he will always be there for me.

"We don't see each other as much as we used to because we are so busy but I love him dearly.

"The majority of the stuff is created out of nothing but as brothers, you know, you have good days, you have bad days."

Meghan, who has also been rumored to have feuded with Kate Middleton, described the past year as "hard" and said her British friends warned her not to marry Harry.

Meghan, 38, has had to face an increasingly hostile press since she married into the Royal Family last year, with the tabloids luxuriating in stories about her fractured American family and the rumors of palace rifts. 

The couple launched legal action this month against British tabloid the Mail on Sunday for invasion of privacy.

The US-born former actress said she had tried to cope by putting on a "stiff upper lip" but she was not prepared for the intensity of tabloid interest.

Meghan said: "When I first met my now-husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy, but my British friends said to me, 'I'm sure he's great but you shouldn't do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life'."

Asked whether she can cope, Meghan said: "In all honesty, I have said for a long time to H -- that is what I call him -- it's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Meghan Markle says motherhood a 'struggle' under spotlight

LONDON - Meghan Markle has admitted becoming a mother while living under an intense media spotlight has been a "struggle."

The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to son Archie in May after marrying Prince Harry last year.

Britain's aggressive press at first welcomed Markle, 38, into the royal fold but coverage has become increasingly hostile, with the tabloids luxuriating in stories about Markle's fractured American family and rumors of palace rifts. 

Speaking to ITV during the couple's recent tour of southern Africa, she said: "Not many people have asked if I'm OK".

"Look, any woman - especially when they are pregnant - you're really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a newborn - you know?" she said, when asked how she was coping.

"And especially as a woman, it's a lot. 

She added: "And also, thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I'm OK. But it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."

Asked if it would be fair to say it had "really been a struggle", Meghan said: "Yes."

Her comments come after the couple launched legal action this month against British tabloid the Mail on Sunday for invasion of privacy, with Harry recalling the hounding of his later mother Diana.

Harry told ITV the memories of what happened to his mother was a "wound that festers".

"I think being part of this family, in this role, in this job... every single time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back, so in that respect it's the worst reminder of her life, as opposed to the best," he said.

The Duke of Sussex is also suing two British tabloid newspaper publishers over alleged phone hacking.

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Gingers Unite: Ed Sheeran and Prince Harry promote mental health

LONDON (Reuters) - The doorbell rings to the tune of the British national anthem “God Save the Queen”, and Prince Harry opens the door to find Ed Sheeran on the threshold. Both men have red hair and beards.

“It’s like looking in the mirror,” the prince quips before ushering the pop star inside.

This is the opening scene of a video released on Thursday in which Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and the Grammy-winning musician join forces to campaign on an issue both care about deeply.

The clip, posted on Harry’s Instagram page, shows the pair sitting at a table talking about their joint passion, but after a short while it becomes clear there is a misunderstanding.

“This for me is a subject and a conversation that is just not talked about enough. I think people all over the world are really suffering,” Harry says.

Sheeran responds that he has been trying to write a song about the issue to help raise awareness. He then adds: “People just don’t understand what it’s like for people like us.”

Looking confused, Harry asks: “What?” So Sheeran elaborates: “You know, the jokes and snide comments, I just feel like it’s time that we stood up and said, you know, we’re not going to take this any more. We are ginger and we’re going to fight.”

Apparently embarrassed, Harry says: “OK. Slightly awkward,” before going on to explain that he was not talking about discrimination against people with red hair, but rather about World Mental Health Day.

Hastily deleting the words “GINGERS UNITE” from a document on his laptop, Sheeran quickly gets on-message and the video closes with the pair urging people to reach out to anyone who may be suffering from mental health problems.

Harry, sixth-in-line to the British throne, has long campaigned on the issue. On Thursday, he was in Nottingham, central England, visiting community projects aimed at preventing mental health problems and violence among young people.

Harry and his wife Meghan, whose official titles are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have increasingly used the Internet to engage directly with the public. Both have launched legal action against British media outlets over coverage they deem intrusive and inaccurate.

Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison

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Britain's Prince Harry to sue tabloid press owners over phone-hacking

LONDON - Britain's Prince Harry is to sue the publishers of Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper and the Daily Mirror over allegations of phone-hacking as he and his wife Meghan step up their battle with the tabloid press.

The move by Harry, Duke of Sussex, comes days after he and Meghan took legal action against a different newspaper in response to what he called "bullying" by some sections of the British media.

Harry was one target in a phone-hacking scandal that rocked Murdoch's newspaper empire and prompted the closure of his News of the World tabloid in 2011.

"Claims have been filed on behalf of The Duke of Sussex at the High Court regarding the illegal interception of voicemail messages," a spokeswoman for Harry said. She declined to give further details of the claim.

A spokeswoman for News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, confirmed that a claim had been issued by Harry.

Court documents first reported by website Byline Investigates also show that Harry is targeting Mirror Group Newspapers, owned by Reach PLC, with the legal action. A spokesman for Reach declined to comment.

A source familiar with the situation said proceedings have been issued but the publisher was yet to receive legal papers in relation to the case.

On Tuesday, Harry said he and Meghan were taking separate legal action against the Mail on Sunday over the publication of a private letter that her lawyers said was unlawful.

In an emotional statement, Harry said the treatment of Meghan by sections of the British press was reminiscent of their approach to his mother Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997 after being followed through the streets of Paris by photographers.

"My deepest fear is history repeating itself. I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

HARRY AND KATE TARGETED

Friday's legal action relates to events that happened before Harry and Meghan met.

In August 2006, the News of the World’s former royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire were arrested and later charged with hacking the telephones of royal aides by accessing voicemail messages. They admitted the charges in 2007.

The phones of Prince Harry, who is Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and sixth in line to the throne, and his brother William's wife Kate were hacked by staff working for the now-defunct News of the World, a London court heard in 2013.

News of the World had been part of News Group Newspapers.

The court heard extracts of a message left on Harry's phone in which an unknown male pretended to be the prince's then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy. The paper later ran a story saying the joke message was left by William for his brother.

Australian media tycoon Murdoch, now 88, said it was "the most humble day of my life" when he appeared in front of lawmakers to answer for the phone-hacking allegations in 2011.

News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers faced millions of pounds of civil claims after the scandal, with celebrities including former footballer Paul Gascoigne and actors Hugh Grant and Steve Coogan receiving damages.

Reach PLC, which owns the Daily Express and Daily Star as well as the Daily Mirror, said in July there was a 12-million-pound provision for costs associated with the settlement of civil claims in relation to phone-hacking and it represented "the Board's best estimate of the amount required to settle the expected claims."

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'It's magic': Prince Harry and Meghan show off baby son

WINDSOR -- Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan showed off their newborn son on Wednesday, describing having a baby as "magic."

Cradling his son, wrapped in a white blanket and wearing a hat, Harry and Meghan appeared before a small group of media at St George's Hall in Windsor castle where they held their wedding reception just under a year ago.

"It's magic - it's pretty amazing and I have the two best guys in the world so I am really happy," Meghan said when asked how she was finding being a new mother.

She said the boy, the seventh-in-line to the British throne who has not yet been publicly named, had the sweetest temperament and was sleeping well.

"He's just been a dream so it's been a special couple of days."

The baby was born in the early hours of Monday morning, weighing 7 lb 3 oz, but few other details have been given about the birth.

"It's great, parenting is amazing," Harry said. "It's only been two-and-a-half days, three days, but we're just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy, to be able to spend some precious time with him as he slowly starts to grow up."

The couple said they were about to visit 93-year-old Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning monarch, at the castle to allow her to meet her eighth great-grandchild.

Meghan's mother Doria Ragland is staying with the couple at their home Frogmore Cottage, on the castle's estate.

"It will a nice moment to introduce the baby to more family and my mum's with us as well," Meghan said. 

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Prince Harry 'over the moon' as Meghan gives birth to a boy

LONDON -- Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has given birth to a boy, her "over the moon" husband Prince Harry revealed to the world on Monday in a low-key announcement intended to protect their privacy.

Prince Harry said that both mother and baby were "doing incredibly well" as he gave a short statement to British television news outlets, without either in sight, in front of Windsor Castle's horse stables.

"I am very excited to announce that Meghan and myself had a little boy early this morning -- a very healthy boy," a beaming Harry said in the video statement.

"As every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing.

"But this little thing is absolutely to die for. So I am just over the moon."

Buckingham Palace said the boy, seventh in line to the throne, was born at 0526 local time (0426 GMT), weighing seven pounds and three ounces (3.26 kilograms).

Meghan, who is mixed race, was an actress in the United States before marrying Harry last year at Windsor Castle.

The women's rights campaigner has been hailed as a breath of fresh air in a stuffy institution.

A royal spokesman did not reveal whether 34-year-old prince and Meghan, 37, opted for a home birth at their new Frogmore Cottage home on the royal family's Windsor Estate, west of London, or went to a nearby hospital.

The birth in Windsor breaks with the tradition followed by Harry's brother William and his wife Kate, whose three children were all born at St. Mary's Hospital in London.

Harry and William were also born in the same hospital.

Harry and Meghan wanted to keep the arrival of their first child "private," Buckingham Palace said last month, and the announcement was made some nine hours after the birth.

That contrasts with William and Kate, whose three children -- Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1 -- were immediately shown off to the world's media.

Prince Harry said Monday he expected to introduce the newborn to the nation -- and announce his name -- "in probably two days time."

Meghan's mother 'overjoyed'

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William were among the royals informed, as were the sisters and brother of Harry's late mother Diana, a royal statement said.

Meghan's mother Doria Ragland is with her daughter at Frogmore Cottage and was "overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild," it said.

Downing Street added to the well-wishes as news of the royal birth broke Monday afternoon in Britain.

"Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the arrival of their baby boy," Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter. 
"Wishing you all the best at this happy time."

The BT Tower in central London scrolled a message of congratulations, while the London Eye will later turn red, white and blue in honour of the birth.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury who married the couple last May, also shared his joy on social media.

"May God bless the new family with love, health and happiness," he said.

'Incredibly proud'

Prince Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting their first baby in October, at the outset of a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Commentators believed the baby, the Queen's eighth great-grandchild, was due in late April and Britons have been on tenterhooks when the month ended without news of the birth.

There was fevered speculation in recent weeks over everything from the newborn's gender and name -- to whether it will have Harry's ginger hair.

The prince said the couple were still thinking about names.

"The baby's a little bit overdue so we've had a little bit of time to think about it," he added.

Names including Arthur, James and Albert are now hotly tipped by British bookmakers to be chosen by the couple.

Prince Harry was present for the birth, describing it as "the most amazing experience I can ever possibly imagine."

"How any woman can do what they do is beyond comprehension," he said. "I am so incredibly proud of my wife."

Despite the understated nature of Monday's announcement, some royal enthusiasts gathered in Windsor and at Buckingham Palace, where a framed notice of the birth went on display on a ceremonial easel placed on the forecourt.

"I'm very excited," Amanda told AFP. "It would have been nice if it wasn't so discreet," she added.

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UK's Duchess of Sussex Meghan gives birth to a boy

WINDSOR - Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, gave birth to a boy on Monday, Harry announced.

The baby, seventh-in-line to the British throne, "is absolutely to die for," the prince told reporters.

In a formal announcement on their official Instagram account the royal couple said they "welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz". (3.2 kg)

"The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives. More details will be shared in the forthcoming days."

Queen Elizabeth's grandson Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, a US-born former actress, married in a lavish ceremony at the monarch's Windsor Castle home in May last year.

The baby will be the eighth great grandchild of the 93-year-old queen, the world's longest-reigning monarch, and could be entitled to hold joint British and American citizenship according to nationality rules.

However, the child will not automatically be a prince or a princess as any such title will have to be bestowed by the queen by issuing what is known as a letter patent.

The parents are officially titled the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Britain's royal family attracts huge media interest but the younger members, especially Harry and Meghan, are treated like Hollywood superstars.

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Queen Elizabeth extols goodwill and respect in Christmas message

LONDON -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth will say in her Christmas message that the festival's message of peace and goodwill needs to be heeded as much as ever, and people should respect each other even when they harbor the most deeply held differences.

According to excerpts released by Buckingham Palace on Monday, the 92-year-old monarch will also speak of family and friendship following a year in which her grandson Prince Harry married US-born actress Meghan Markle.

Throughout her record 66 years on the throne, the queen has avoided commenting in public on contentious international affairs or party political issues, and the excerpts make no mention of the visit in July by US President Donald Trump or the turmoil over Britain's departure from the European Union.

But speaking about the birth of Jesus, she will say: "I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever."

"Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good step towards greater understanding."

Before leaving Britain for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump breached British royal protocol by publicly disclosing the details of a conversation he had with the queen about the complexities of Brexit, an issue that has divided the nation.

Trump's trip to Britain was marked by public protests and downgraded from a full state visit that Prime Minister Theresa May had originally proposed.

However, he took tea with the queen at Windsor Castle. Trump later described the monarch, who has met 12 US presidents, as an "incredible woman" who was both "sharp" and "beautiful."

She has shown little sign of slowing down in the last year, during which Harry and Meghan's wedding marked another royal step towards modernity, with a ceremony that blended ancient English ritual with African American culture.

"Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance," she will say.

Another grandchild, Princess Eugenie, also married this year and the queen's sixth and seventh great grandchildren were born, while she made her debut appearance on the front row of a fashion show.

She also led British and Commonwealth tributes to the soldiers of World War 1 on the centenary of the signing of the Armistice that ended it in 1918.

The queen wore a cocktail dress in ivory silk with pastel blue, white and gold lame overlay designed by Angela Kelly for the broadcast, which was recorded in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.

She is spending Christmas as usual at her Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England, where she will be joined by other members of the Royal family.

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Royal couple discuss mental health with Aussie surfers

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex talk to members of OneWave, an awareness group for mental health and wellbeing at South Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Friday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

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Meghan Markle picks sleek dress by Givenchy designer for wedding

WINDSOR, England - American actress Meghan Markle picked a sleek sculpted dress by Givenchy creative head Clare Waight Keller for her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, worn with a five-meter long veil and a diamond tiara lent by Queen Elizabeth.

The long-sleeved dress with a boat neck had been eagerly anticipated by royal fans around the world, with speculation over which designer would be chosen.

Waight Keller, previously at Pringle of Scotland and Chloe, became the first female artistic director at famed French brand Givenchy last year.

The 47-year-old met Meghan earlier this year and the two worked together on the design, which "epitomizes a timeless minimal elegance", Kensington Palace said.

"The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasizes the slender sculpted waist," the palace said in a statement.

"The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity."

Meghan's long veil, made of silk tulle, was decorated with hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza, the palace said, and paid tribute to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

"Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition," the palace said.

Prince Harry last month was appointed a Commonwealth youth ambassador.

Queen Elizabeth lent the 36-year-old bride Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara for the occasion. Made in 1932 for Queen Mary, the sparkling diamond and platinum bandeau boasts a center brooch dating from 1893.

Meghan also wore Cartier earrings as well as a bracelet and silk duchess satin shoes, the palace said.

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Harry and Meghan's cake will break with tradition, says royal baker

LONDON - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding cake has taken 6 bakers 5 days to prepare and breaks with tradition, according to its designer Claire Ptak.

Harry, Queen Elizabeth's grandson, and US actress Markle will tie the knot on Saturday in Windsor Castle's 15th-century St George's Chapel.

Ptak said her design was more of an "installation" than a typical wedding cake, but offered few details.

The couple decided to buck the royal tradition for fruitcake and instead opted for a lemon and elderflower creation with buttercream icing, topped with fresh flowers.

Harry and Meghan chose lemon and elderflower because they wanted to enjoy flavors that are in season, Ptak said.

"When I was first asked to present an idea for the cake I brought a selection of flavors and designs and they made a decision together as couple," Ptak told the BBC.

"You have a really lovely kind of thing happening when you take a bite, which is to get all of those flavors and sensations that are perfectly balanced."

Ptak is originally from California and worked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley under chef Alice Waters before moving to London. She started her own business cooking at home and selling cakes on a stall in east London's Broadway Market.

"It is obviously such an honor to be asked to do this because for me I have been baking since I was a little kid and this is my dream," she said. 

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