Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly ‘Engineered’ Romance With Prince Harry

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Engineered' Romance With Prince Harry

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Engineered' Romance With Prince Harryoriginally appeared onParade. Queen Elizabethreportedly feared thatPrince HarryandMeghan Markle's relationship wasn't rooted in genuine love, according to a royal insider. A new claim alleges the late monarch questioned the sincerity of the formerSuitsstar and privatelyvoiced her concernsto a trusted confidante, who later shared those sentiments with a royal reporter. The Daily Beast, Royalist, shared excerpts from a discussionLady Elizabeth Anson, Queen Elizabeth's first cousin, had with longtime royal reporterSally Bedell Smith. Smith published these remarks in herSubstack, Royal Extra. Anson was born in Windsor Castle to theQueen Mother's sister. She was the queen's confidante from the time of the monarch's Golden Jubilee in 2002. According to Bedell Smith's report, just days before Harry and Meghan's wedding, Anson conveyed the queen's concerns about the upcoming marriage. She used the word "we" and didn't directly name the monarch. Parade Daily🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Anson alleged that the royal leader expressed worry about the union. In the post, she wrote, "When we spoke two weeks before the May 19 wedding, Liza had just heard from the Queen. 'The Number One Lady—I call her Jemima—says the jury is out on whether she likes Meghan.'" "My Jemima is very worried," Anson reportedly told Bedell Smith. She alleged, "Harry is besotted and weak about women. We hope, but don't quite think she is in love. We think she [Meghan] engineered it all." In her Substack, Bedell Smith shared Anson's remarks. "[Harry] said, 'I am close to my grandmother, and she is content with this.' When I spoke with the Queen, she said she is not at all content." Additionally, royal editor and biographerIngrid Sewarddiscussed Queen Elizabeth's concerns about Harry and Meghan's wedding in the bookMy Mother and I. The book detailed the relationship between the monarch and her son, King Charles III. "The queen never voiced her true opinions except to her close confidants, such as Lady Elizabeth Anson, or Liza as she was known to her friends," Seward wrote in an excerpt published byThe Daily Mail. "She told me that the Queen had made only one remark about Meghan and Harry's wedding and that was that Meghan's Givenchy wedding gown was 'too white.'" Seward noted, "In the monarch's view, [the dress] was not appropriate for a divorcée remarrying in church." She added that Queen Elizabeth was reportedly uneasy with "the Disneyesque spectacle of the day itself," though it remains unclear whether the Queen directly shared that opinion. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left their royal roles behind in early 2020. They celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary in May. Anson died that same year, followed by Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Engineered' Romance With Prince Harryfirst appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly ‘Engineered’ Romance With Prince Harry

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear: Meghan Markle Reportedly 'Engineered' Romance With Prince Harry Queen Elizabeth's Secret Fear...

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Kenneth Colley, actor behind imperial villain in original 'Star Wars' trilogy, dies at 87

Kenneth Colley, actor behind imperial villain in original 'Star Wars' trilogy, dies at 87

Kenneth Colley, an actor known to "Star Wars" fans for his role as an imperial villain in the original trilogy, has died. He was 87. Colley's agent Julian Owen confirmed the actor's death Thursday, July 3. Colley was admitted to the hospital after injuring his arm from a fall, but then quickly contracted COVID-19, which developed into pneumonia, Owen said. "Ken Colley was one of our finest character actors with a career spanning 60 years," Owen shared in a statement. "Ken continually worked on stage, film and television playing a vast array of characters, from Jesus in 'Monty Python's Life of Brian' to evil and eccentric characters in Ken Russell films, and the Duke of Vienna in Shakespeare's  'Measure for Measure' for the BBC." Colley starred as Admiral Piett in the 1980 "Star Wars" film "The Empire Strikes Back" and the sequel, 1983's "Return of the Jedi." "Ken's participation in 'Star Wars' led him to being invited to conventions and official fan events all over the world, where he remains one of the best-loved actors from the original trilogy," Owen said in the statement. "Ken loved his garden, art collecting and had a passion for fast cars." In a memorable scene from "The Empire Strikes Back,"Darth Vadertells Piett he is now in command after Vader chokes another imperial to death. Piett goes on to share several more scenes with Vader throughout the film, keeping him up to date about the Empire's pursuit of the Millennium Falcon and telling Vader that he is being summoned byEmperor Palpatine. Piett later dies in an explosion during "Return of the Jedi." During anappearance at the Star Wars Celebrationfan convention in 2016, Colley recalled that Piett wasn't originally going to be in "Return of the Jedi," butGeorge Lucasdecided to bring him back to due positive fan reaction to the character. Star Wars Day is here!Celebrate with our ultimate movie ranking Speaking in an interview on the official "Star Wars" YouTube channel, Colley said that viewers latched onto Piett because, despite being a villain, he's just "a man doing his job, and all the people out there doing their jobs understand that." 'Star Wars' actor Clive Revill,original voice of Emperor Palpatine, dies at 94 The actor also quipped, "Somebody once said to me, 'Ken, I saw you with Darth Vader in the scene, and when you were frightened of Vader, it was so good.' I said, 'I wasn't frightened of Vader. I was frightened of the dialogue!' But it works in the movies." Outside of "Star Wars," Colley portrayed Jesus in "Monty Python's Life of Brian" and appeared in movies like Clint Eastwood's "Firefox" and TV shows like "The Avengers" and "Peaky Blinders." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kenneth Colley dead: 'Star Wars' Admiral Piett actor was 87

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

Kenneth Colley, actor behind imperial villain in original 'Star Wars' trilogy, dies at 87

Kenneth Colley, actor behind imperial villain in original 'Star Wars' trilogy, dies at 87 Kenneth Colley, an actor known to "St...

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7-Eleven worker dies after allegedly being attacked by manager

7-Eleven worker dies after allegedly being attacked by manager

A 7-Eleven employee in Los Angeles died after allegedly being attacked by her manager, who authorities are searching for, according to local police and the deceased worker's family. Jessica McLaughlin was found unconscious by Los Angeles police on June 24 after patrol officers received a radio call around 2:15 p.m. regarding a felony battery at the convenience store on Melrose Avenue, according to adepartment news release. McLaughlin, who police said was in her 20s, got into a verbal dispute with another woman inside the 7-Eleven that escalated into a physical altercation, the department stated. Once discovered by police, McLaughlin was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead on July 2. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office is in the process of determining McLaughlin's cause and manner of death, police said. More news:Father and son identified as campers found dead at Isle Royale National Park McLaughlin's brother, Sean McLaughlin, created aGoFundMeto cover the costs of his sister's funeral. "Jessica McLaughlin is my sister — but she's so much more than that. She's a daughter, a best friend, and the kind of auntie every kid dreams of having," Sean McLaughlin wrote on the GoFundMe page. "She's been my rock these past five years while we've lived together. She was always there — for me, for our family, and honestly, for anyone who needed her." Sean McLaughlin also described on the GoFundMe page what allegedly transpired on the day of his sister's death, accusing "one of her managers" of "violently and senselessly" attacking her on June 24. The brother alleges his sister's manager "held her down, sat on top of her and didn't let her breathe." "While some coworkers tried to help and stop it, they were attacked too. When she finally got free, she collapsed. She wasn't breathing," Sean McLaughlin wrote on the GoFundMe about his sister. As McLaughlin's coworkers gave her CPR and called for help, the manager "ran to the back room to try and delete the security footage — and then fled the scene on her bike," the brother wrote. Neither the LAPD nor McLaughlin's brother identified the manager allegedly involved in the incident. "This attack should have never happened," Sean McLaughlin wrote. The GoFundMe created by McLaughlin's brother is nearing its $50,000 goal. As of July 3, it has received over $31,000 in donations. "We're trying to give her the goodbye she deserves," Sean McLaughlin wrote on the GoFundMe page. "We want to give her a beautiful service — something that honors who she was and how deeply she was loved." A 7-Eleven spokesperson toldKTLAthat the company was fully cooperating with the investigation and that the suspect has since been fired. USA TODAY contacted 7-Eleven and Sean McLaughlin on Thursday, July 3, but has not received a response. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:7-Eleven worker killed in LA; manager accused of attacking her

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

7-Eleven worker dies after allegedly being attacked by manager

7-Eleven worker dies after allegedly being attacked by manager A 7-Eleven employee in Los Angeles died after allegedly being attacked by her...

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A tropical storm is brewing just in time to ruin July 4th weekend

A tropical storm is brewing just in time to ruin July 4th weekend

Repeated rounds of stormy weather loitering off the Southeast coast could do more than just dampen fireworks celebrations in Florida this weekend – there's a good chance it becomeshurricane season'snext named storm. As of Thursday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center gives this system a 60% chance of forming into a tropical depression or tropical storm this weekend or early next week. If this cluster strengthens into a tropical storm, it would earn the next name on the Atlantic season's list: Chantal. Regardless of whether this system gets a name, it's already delivering drenching rain, soaking the soil and raising the flood risk in Florida. The flood threat is especially concerning with millions of revelers set to enjoy outdoor parties and fireworks displays through the Independence Day weekend. Portions of Florida and coastal Georgia could see flash flooding from this system through Friday, the Weather Prediction Center cautions. The threat shifts to the Carolina coast Saturday into Sunday as the storms could organize and move closer to land. All told, rounds of storms could drop over 3 inches of rain on parts of the Carolina coast, while some areas in Florida could see up to 6 inches of rain by the end of the holiday weekend. It doesn't take a named tropical storm to cause trouble, particularly on a holiday weekend when roads and beaches could be packed. Even without a well-defined center – which it needs to be considered a tropical system – this large area of stormy weather will drag rich tropical moisture across the coastal Southeast, leading to localized downpours, dreary beach days, a risk of dangerous rip currents and rough seas. If it's named, Chantal would be the third named storm of the season, but the first to pose an impactful flood threat to the United States just given its location. The first two systems,Andreaand Barry, were weak and short-lived tropical storms. A third named storm at this time of year would not be unusual. Storms are more likely to form in the warm, shallow waters closer to land in July and, like the current system, spring up from fronts stalled out over juicy tropical air. Outside of the Southeast, most of the country will see ideal conditions for July 4th weekend, particularly in the Northeast and West, where calm, mostly clear skies are expected from Friday on. The Southeast is likely to dry out by Tuesday. The one exception: parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest,could see some strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail through the weekend. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

A tropical storm is brewing just in time to ruin July 4th weekend

A tropical storm is brewing just in time to ruin July 4th weekend Repeated rounds of stormy weather loitering off the Southeast coast could ...

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Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and a new dawn of 'hard launch summer'

Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and a new dawn of 'hard launch summer'

We've made it pastblistering heat wavesand landed in July, which can only mean one thing – "hard launch summer" is back in full force. Glastonbury, the British music festival, was ripe with romance this year. Pop singersGracie AbramsandOlivia Rodrigoboth more than hinted at their respective relationship statuses on Instagram with photos from the weekend's festivities. Rodrigo had subtly posted photos of British actorLouis Partridgein previous photo dumps, butnever his face. But towards the end of aGlastonbury recap poston July 2, Rodrigo shared a clip of her dancing on Partridge's shoulders, smiling and singing along toPulp's "Common People." The comment section exploded. "The hard launch I was waiting for I'm so happy," one fan wrote. Abrams also shared a photoof herself dancing on Irish actorPaul Mescal's shoulders over the weekend on her Instagram stories, followed by a selfie in a photo dump on herfeedon July 2. "I'm so happy for two people I don't even know," one fan commented. "Both you and Olivia hard launching on the feed is really special to me," wrote another. So what is the art of the "hard launch"? The term made waves last summer whenTaylor Swift finally posted Travis Kelceon her Instagram feed. Both Abrams and Rodrigo's rumored relationships have also been in the spotlight already. Early kisses caught by paparazzi, gossip circulating social media, songs seemingly written about their partners (have you listened to Rodrigo's "so american"?). But the "hard launch" is about telling the world you're together, on your terms. Therapists say celebrities have myriad reasons for pulling that proverbial trigger. But whether it's a carefully curated moment or an impulsive expression of love, you can't unring that bell. "Every aspect of therelationshipcan become fodder for public consumption and scrutiny, putting a spotlight on the couple and creating pressure to be seen as a healthy match,"Jeff Guenther, licensed professional counselor and author of "Big Dating Energy," previously told USA TODAY. "You're also leaving yourself open to increased criticism." Datingis tricky no matter who you are, especially early on before you decide to start telling people. With celebrities, not only are they opening themselves to scrutiny from their family and friends, but often the whole world. In the beginning stages, it may also seem too good to be true, and shouting your love from the rooftops can feel like jinxing it. Last summer, whenSabrina Carpenterfeatured then-rumored beau, Irish actorBarry Keoghan, in the music video for "Please, Please, Please," the song begged him not to "embarrass" her. We can't speculate how Carpenter feels after that allegedly fizzled, but her newest single, "Manchild," may give listeners a clue. "When we introduce someone as our partner, there is an expectation that we've vetted this person,"Kimberly Vered Shashoua, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. "It can be embarrassing to have to go back to friends, family and Instagram and update them with abreakup." Think about all the couples, celebrities or otherwise, who never announce a thing. Often, it's a matter of self-preservation. All that said, it's easy to see whycelebritiesmight want to shout about their relationships anyway. They're just like anyone else. It feels good to be in love. "When we feel confident in our partner, it can feel great to show them off," Shashoua said. "It's a lot easier to be honest with our friends and family than sneaking around. If we're active on social media, it can feel strange to have such a big part of your life hidden." Sabrina Carpenter, hookup cultureand why the way we talk about sex is changing People must weigh the benefits and risks of authenticity when publicizing a private relationship. These "depend on what celebrities are getting out of it, the impact on their personal and professional lives and whether their choices are in line with their personality and core values,"Cecille Ahrens, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. No matter who you are, you give up pieces of yourself during a hard launch. Ahrens adds you may receive "unwanted attention" or face "constant boundary violations." Just ask Abrams, who faced criticism as rumors swirled about her and Mescal's relationship after his apparent breakup from Phoebe Bridgers. But with enough time passed, Abrams' "hard launch" has been met with support. The "hard launch" can even be a business strategy: "By being open about theirrelationships, celebrities can connect more deeply with their fans, boosting theirparasocial relationshipsand most likely leading to more sales or followers," Guenther said. It's a decision that requires care and conversation. But at the end of the day, at least the decision is theirs. Contributing: David Oliver This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and 'hard launch summer'

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and a new dawn of 'hard launch summer'

Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and a new dawn of 'hard launch summer' We've made it pastblistering heat wavesand landed in July, ...

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Dick Van Dyke Thought He'd Die When a Surfing Day Went Awry. But a Pod of Porpoises Came to His Rescue

Dick Van Dyke Thought He'd Die When a Surfing Day Went Awry. But a Pod of Porpoises Came to His Rescue

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Years ago, Dick Van Dyke's surfing expedition took a turn after he fell asleep TheMary Poppinsactor "started seeing fins" while out on his 10-foot surfboard, he recalled Van Dyke gave up surfing years ago Dick Van Dykecan thank a pod of porpoises for saving his life. TheChitty Chitty Bang Bangstar spoke about the stunning sea adventure in 2010 with Craig Ferguson, indicating he once fell asleep while riding his 10-ft. surfboard during a day at Virginia Beach. "I woke up out of sight of land," the acting iconsaid during an appearance on Ferguson's former talk show, The Late Late Show."I look around and I started paddling with the swells, and I started seeing fins swimming around me, and I thought 'I'm dead!' " Van Dyke was soon shocked to discover that he wasn't being swarmed by bloodthirsty sea predators, but rather by porpoises who apparently wanted to ensure that theMary Poppinsstar returned to dry land safely. "They pushed me all the way to shore," he said. "I'm not kidding, all the way to shore." He repeated the storyduring a 2023 appearanceon theReally? no, Really?podcast. Xinhua/Shutterstock At 99, theBye Bye Birdieactor no longer surfs, as he gave it up many years ago. But he still stays busy. In late June, Van Dyke missed one of his regularVandy Campevents in Malibudue to illness. "When you're 99 and a half years old, you have good days and bad days ... and unfortunately, today is not a good day for him, and he's sick that he can't be here," his wife, Arlene Silver, informed the crowd At that same event, many learned theonscreen icon had a secret talentafter Silver, 53, responded to a fan who pointed out that "not very many people know Dick Van Dyke was a computer animator." "Still is, and he has a credit for computer animation onDiagnosis: Murder," Silver added, referencing the show that saw Van Dyke playing a doctor who solves crimes. The series ran for eight seasons between 1993 and 2001 and spawned five TV movies. TheDick Van Dyke Showstar first met Silver at theSAG Awardsin 2006, and they eventually wed in 2012. During a Vandy Camp event in April, Van Dyketold PEOPLE exclusivelythat he has no plans to slow down in his late 90s. "I love what I do for a living," he said, as Silver chimed in, "[But] the minute he says that — the phone rings, and he's like, 'I don't want to go there.' If they come to our house, he will work all the time." Read the original article onPeople

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

Dick Van Dyke Thought He'd Die When a Surfing Day Went Awry. But a Pod of Porpoises Came to His Rescue

Dick Van Dyke Thought He'd Die When a Surfing Day Went Awry. But a Pod of Porpoises Came to His Rescue Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Years...

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Los Angeles cancels some July Fourth events amid deportation fears

Los Angeles cancels some July Fourth events amid deportation fears

LOS ANGELES — Some Southern California communities are canceling or rescheduling July Fourth events as immigration arrests spread fear across the region. But organizations that oppose President Donald Trump'simmigration policiesplan to proceed with protests in downtown Los Angeles, wherelarge demonstrationslast month sometimes turned violent, prompting Trump to call in the state National Guard and U.S. Marines over the governor's objections. The city said it would postpone its annual Fourth of July block party "in light of recent events affecting a portion of Downtown Los Angeles and the ongoing circumstances impacting the region." The event is held each year in Gloria Molina Grand Park near City Hall and several federal buildings, including one now being used as a detention center that has been a focal point for demonstrations against raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During a "No Kings" march on June 14, protesters fled from tear gas, pepper spray and less-lethal munitions fired by law enforcement officers, and large crowds were pushed away from federal buildings and into Grand Park, where demonstrators scrambled up a small hill to safety. More than 1,618 people in Los Angeles have been arrested by the federal government since it began clamping down on residents without citizenship last month, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The detentions have spread fear across Southern California, where some 1.4 million people are estimated to live without full legal authorization, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Several L.A.-based organizations said they will launch another round of protests Thursday near Grand Park, and a coalition of multifaith organizations, labor unions, activists and artists will hold a "freedom" car cruise and rally outside City Hall. Later, activists with the group Centro CSO will hold a march outside the federal courthouse, calling for charges to be dropped against Alejandro Orellana, who was arrested in connection with distributing face shields to "suspected rioters." He faces charges of conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorders. He was released on bond last month and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. On Friday, the local chapter of 50501, which organized the "No Kings" rally, will hold an all-day demonstration outside City Hall to demand an "end to the occupation" of Los Angeles by ICE, the National Guard and the Marines. "This isn't a celebration," the group said in a statement. "It's a stand." Smaller communities throughout Los Angeles County with large immigrant populations are also rethinking Fourth of July celebrations. In East Los Angeles, a historically Latino area, the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno have postponed July Fourth festivities after several high-profile immigration arrests. Federal agents last month rammed and trapped a car carrying four U.S. citizens, including a man, woman and two children, in Boyle Heights. The Department of Homeland Security said its target was Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho, who was arrested in connection with punching an immigration officer. A lawyer representing Cerno-Camacho's family said he is planning to file a lawsuit against the federal government. This week, Boyle Heights activists shut down a bridge that links downtown Los Angeles to the small enclave and marched with mariachis to the site of another recent arrest. Demands for the National Guard to return to normal duties were answered in part this week when 150 members were reassigned to wildfire season preparation. Some 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines remain at federal buildings in Los Angeles while a lawsuit filed by the state against the Trump administration is pending in court. A three-judge appeals court panel has said that the White House likely lawfully exercised its authority when Trump federalized the National Guard without Gov. Gavin Newsom's consent. The ruling halted a lower court's decision, which found the Trump administration had illegally activated the troops. Newsom said last month that he will pursue legal action to regain control of the guard. Lawmakers and legal organizations are waging their own court battles ahead of the holiday weekend. On Wednesday, immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to block an "ongoing pattern and practice of flouting the Constitution and federal law" during immigration raids in Los Angeles. "Since June 6th, marauding, masked goons have descended upon Los Angeles, terrorizing our brown communities and tearing up the Constitution in the process," said Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. "No matter their status or the color of their skin," he added, "everyone is guaranteed Constitutional rights to protect them from illegal stops. We will hold DHS accountable." The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the claims are false. This week, county supervisors approved a motion to pursue legal action against the Trump administration. The vote came after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles over its sanctuary city policies, which prevent local police agencies from voluntarily cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The U.S. government claims sanctuary city ordinances discriminate against federal law enforcement agencies by treating them differently from other policing authorities.

byMario Satorik

in

July 03, 2025

Los Angeles cancels some July Fourth events amid deportation fears

Los Angeles cancels some July Fourth events amid deportation fears LOS ANGELES — Some Southern California communities are canceling or resch...

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