Meghan Could Become “Voice of Diana” as William and Harry’s Tribute War Explodes

0:03 Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I am your host, Mark Francis. Lest you think we'll run out of things to talk about, Meghan Markle could become the voice of a film about Princess Diana, with Radar Online claiming Harry wants his wife to take a central role in a project marking 30 years since his mother's death. An unnamed production insider claimed Meghan isn't getting a cameo, she's becoming the voice of Diana's story. That makes her a central figure in the film. Harry may be the son, but Meghan will be the voice viewers hear. The stories about Prince William being furious practically write themselves. This brings back memories for William of his brother's memoir, Spare, a source said.

0:47 William fears the movie will reveal even more secrets about the royal family. Another insider described it as crossing a line that can't be uncrossed. An unnamed source claims William can't stand the narrative that Meghan is somehow this Diana 2.0. Royal commentator Hilary Forditch suggested a film could also renew scrutiny of Charles and Camilla's relationship during his marriage to Diana. She said, Neither the King nor Camilla has any interest in there being a lot of focus on Diana. King Charles can't be relishing the thought of an entire year dedicated to Princess Diana's death. But now let's add another twist. Radar Online claims William is considering whether Diana could posthumously regain the HRH style she lost following her divorce in 1996.

1:30 A source claimed, Harry is raging because he feels William potentially has a card available to him that he simply cannot play. Harry can make a documentary, give interviews and celebrate Diana's humanitarian legacy, but William is the heir to the throne and has a completely different kind of influence within the monarchy. A television program comes and goes, whereas putting HRH Diana back into the historical record would endure. From Harry's perspective, it risks making anything he produces look secondary. He doesn't want remembering Diana to become some competition between brothers, but he also doesn't want to feel that William has outclassed and outdone him with one tribute Harry could never deliver himself. Reports that Harry and Meghan want to apologise to the royal family have drawn a sceptical response from two Express commentators. Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, associate editor James Walker questioned the couple's motives. To be honest, I don't know how much to believe it. I believe they're going to apologize, but if I were Wills and Catherine, Charles and Camilla, I wouldn't be taking that apology remotely seriously.

2:33 They just want money back in the coffers. They want to be doing stuff in public again. They want the armed police. They want their lives to be easy. These guys have got nothing going for them. They're probably just very bored and feel a bit useless and redundant. Walker and host J.J. Anasiobe argued the British public, some of whom were very hurt by accusations against the royal family, they're not going to forgive Harry and Meghan. Princess Beatrice and Eugenie are reportedly taking separate approaches to protecting their place within the royal family as controversy surrounding their parents continues. An unnamed source quoted by Women's Day claims the sisters want to establish more independent public identities. They love each other dearly, of course. but they've realised that always being seen as a package deal hasn't necessarily helped them, so they're going their separate ways. There's a lot at stake right now. They're both fighting to hang on to their place within the monarchy, and that pressure has definitely got them feeling competitive. You'd think they'd want to join forces in this and help each other, but that is not the route they're taking. It's every woman for herself. Their father, Andrew, is reportedly enjoying life in Norfolk, spending time with loyal friends and going shooting despite the continuing police investigations An unnamed source told the Times, Don't believe all that poor Andy stuff. He's having a very nice time. Thank you very much. He goes out, he goes off shooting with his friends. He sees old chums who are very loyal to him. He's not sitting around feeling sorry for himself anymore.

4:01 Andrew now lives at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate after leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor. He reportedly meets friends regularly and has also joined shooting trips to Balmoral. No travel restrictions have been placed on him, although he is said to have avoided overseas trips and hospitality from wealthy foreign associates. More palace in just a moment. Prince William has never worn a wedding ring, and the decision was made before he married Kate in 2011. At the time, a palace spokesperson said, there was only going to be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes. A source later explained, he's not one for jewellery. He's never worn any. He decided he didn't want to wear one now. It's all down to personal preference. William follows his grandfather, Prince Philip, who also went without a wedding band. Princess Anne's husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence, and Eugenie's husband, Jack Brooksbank, have made the same choice. Royal expert Eloise Parker said, Although it's traditional for royal women to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring after they get married, it's never been traditional for royal men to wear one. I think when you have a wedding watched by millions, everyone knows you're married. Harry took a different approach, choosing a platinum band for his 2018 wedding to Meghan. Sir Kevin Sinfield was among 60 people honoured by Prince William at Windsor Castle this week. Sir Kevin said he was massively humbled by the whole experience and very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families. Others receiving honours at Wednesday's ceremony included athlete Alistair Brownlee, actor

5:35 and director Dexter Fletcher, footballer Michelle Aguiamang and England under-21 head coach Lee Carsley. William was handed a homemade card for Princess Charlotte during his visit to a fire station this week. The prince stopped to speak with a young girl holding the card as he met local school children. Asked what she had written inside, she replied, What's her favourite colour? How old is she in? What school does she go to? A woman celebrating her 80th birthday received a personal birthday wish from William during his visit to Il Minister. Jamila travelled from Chad with her daughter Banner, despite a foot injury following a recent fall. Walking to their spot on Silver Street took considerable effort, and they waited an hour and a half for William to arrive.

6:17 Before meeting him, Barnard told the Chard and Ill Minister News, This is my mum, Jamila, and today is her 80th birthday, and she has waited 80 years to meet any member of the royal family, so today both of us feel quite emotional, and my mum has been super brave walking here. William stopped to speak with the pair as he made his way to Sweet Surprise Cafe. Video of the encounter shows him asking Jamila whether She had a cake and candles and wishing her a happy birthday. Bunner said the meeting left her in tears and meant the world to her mother, who prays for the royal family daily. She described William as truly a gentleman and said, He talked to us for five minutes and wished my mum a happy 80th birthday. What a historic moment. God is good.

6:59 Truly a happy day. Maybe it is William who is really the spare. Royal author Tom Quinn once suggested that Harry's freedom outside the monarchy could leave William feeling overshadowed. In 2024, Quinn said, Harry and Meghan have realised they don't need the senior royal's permission to organise successful overseas trips where they behave as if they are the real thing. They have realised that the leaders of many countries don't care who is an official royal and who isn't. They are just happy to see a young, glamorous couple who have royal titles and fit the bill. Back in Britain, and powerless to compete or to prevent his brother taking centre stage, William sees his role diminished, and he hates it. He may have even started to feel a bit like a spare himself, or at least that for the first time in his life, he is being overshadowed by his brother and sister-in-law. And there you have it. If you'd like to email us, our address is thepalaceintrigue at gmail.com.

7:50 Please follow us on your podcast app of choice. I'm Mark Francis. My thanks to John McDermott. This is Palace Intrigue. Good times.