Meghan Mocked Over Dog-Eared Book Pages as Australia Pushback Grows

0:00 A calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I am your host, Mark Francis. Meghan Markle has faced online criticism after a social media post showed her bending the corners of book pages rather than using bookmarks, despite selling her own through her as Ever brand. In an Instagram story, Meghan to flip through a copy of Jessica Ulrich's They Bloom Because of You poems on the infinite love, growth and Magic of Motherhood, revealing multiple dog eared pages. She later showed the cover and said so good. The post quickly drew backlash, with critics pointing out that Megan sells eighteen dollars as Ever bookmarks, including designs reading fell Asleep here and hold that thought. Social media users were quick to question the apparent contradiction. One wrote, didn't Meghan Markel have bookmarks, so why is she folding the corners of the book instead of using them? Kind of shows she doesn't even use her own products, doesn't it. Another added, she has a brand that sells bookmarks for the exact purpose of not folding pages, and yet she's doing exactly that.

1:12 Kind of defeats the whole point. Others piled on with comments like even Meghan doesn't like her own bookmarks and she probably forgot she was selling them. Australians are pushing back against any suggestion that public money should be used for Prince harryan Meghan Markel's upcoming trip with a petition calling for the couple to cover the visit themselves, drawing more than thirty two thousand signatures last time we checked. The campaign, organized by advocacy group Beyond Australia, is urging the government to ensure the Sussex's visit is treated strictly as a private one, with no taxpayer funded security or official support. The change dot org petition, titled no taxpayer funding or official support for Harry and Meghan's Private Visit to Australia, had reportedly reached thirty two seven hundred and fifteen signatures by Wednesday morning. In a statement, the group said the activities are private and commercial and must be treated strictly as a private visit. Megan has sparked fresh speculation after appearing without her engagement ring at the Alliance for Children's Rights event on March nineteen, wearing only her gold wedding band, with observers noting the absence of the diamond ring originally given to her by Prince Harry in twenty seventeen. The piece has previously been modified several times since the couple's marriage, with changes believed to include adjustments to both the band and the central stone. When first presented, the ring featured a cushion cut diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller stones from Princess Diana's collection. Prince Harry said at the time the ring is obviously yellow gold

2:42 because that's her favorite. In the years since the design has evolved, the original gold band was replaced with a slimmer pavet setting, and later appearances suggested additional diamonds had been added, along with a change to a different cut for the central stone. It remains unclear whether the engagement ringers being redesigned again or was simply not worn on the occasion. Speaking of jewelry, Queen Camilla has sparked fresh curiosity among royal jewelry watches after stepping out wearing one of her more unusual brooches during an engagement with King Charles during the couple's visit to the Eden Project. The Queen wore a striking insect shaped brooch that appeared to be designed as a horsefly, featuring a sapphire body and diamond wings. The brooch first drew attention last year when Camilla wore it during a visit to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.

3:32 On that occasion, she paired it with a more recognizable bee brooch, but the horsefly design immediately stood out as something unfamiliar to Royal watches. Its meaning remains uncertain, though there are a few possible explanations. One theory is that the piece may be a subtle nod to Camilla's a long known love of horses. She has often worn jewelry with equestrian themes, so an insect associated with stables and riding life would not be entirely out of character. Another possible explanation is that its suits the day's theme. With the King and Queen visiting the Eden Project, a site known for its plant life environmental focus in connection to nature, an insect themed brooch would have been an appropriate choice.

4:12 What remains more of a mystery is where the piece came from. There has been speculation that the brooch may have once belonged to Queen Elizabeth, even though she was never seen wearing it in public. Jewelry expert Stephen Stone has suggested there may be a link, noting that the late Queen owned a diamond bee brooch featuring a cabochon sapphire, and that Queen Camilla has inherited a number of items from Elizabeth's extensive collection. Reports suggesting Sarah Ferguson was involved in plans for a reality television program centered on cloning the late Queen's corgies have been denied by her representatives. A spokesperson said miss Ferguson regularly receives varied TV offers and proposals, often for reality shows, which he always declines.

4:56 To be absolutely clear, she's declined the proposal regarding a reality ta TV show involving the Late Queen's corgies. She received the proposal following some initial conversations with Hausey on Media to discuss a potential program on dogs generally, but conversations ended following her declining the opportunity suggested more palace In just a moment, Princess Anne was hackled about her brother Andrew mount Batten Windsor as she arrived for an event at Oxford University. The Princess Royal had attended the Agricultural Economics Society Centenary Conference at Wadham College when demonstrators shouted questions about Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein. As she stepped out of the black car. One protester called out and how long have you known about Andrew and Epstein, while others shouted what did you know? And when did you know it? And when will you answer the question.

5:48 Princess Anne did not respond and instead walked into the college accompanied by security. The protest was organized by the anti monarchy group Republic, which later shared footage of the incident online. The group pointed to reports that Anne has remained sympathetic toward Andrew despite the allegations surrounding him. According to the report, Republicans also claimed Anne may have offered Andrew a place to stay at Gatcombe Park after his departure from Royal Lodge, though there has been no public confirmation of that. Anne is now set to return to Jersey next month to officially open Jersey Zoo's new multi million pound gorilla House. The Princess Royal, who serves as patron of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust will visit the island on April thirtieth for the unveiling of the long awaited new facility. The development replaces the zoo's existing gorilla enclosure, which was built more than four decades ago and marks the largest capital project in Jersey Zoo's history. The zoo is currently home to four critically endangered Western Lowland gorillas, Bodongo, Bahasha, Hlala, Kahili and Amari. Durell says the new enclosure will give the troop significantly more room and provide a more sustainable environment.

6:58 The building will feature in modern heating and calling system, eight bedrooms, too large indoor living spaces and dedicated area for training and weighing the animals. Becky Brewer, chief Executive of Durell, zeb we are so fortunate to have such a committed patron in the Princess Royal and look forward to showing Hr Agent Islanders around this astonishing place in his Substack Royal inside it dig Crown Rights. While the commentary class was occupied with streaming announcements in the Sussex Content Pipeline, Princess Anne was at Wadham College, Oxford, attending the Agricultural Economics Society Centenary conference. Before she could reach the entrance, protesters from the anti monarchy group Republic confronted her outside, shouting questions about her brother's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

7:40 The questions were pointed, the cameras were rolling, and the Princess Royal did precisely what she has done in every uncomfortable moment across seven decades of public life. She made no response to the demonstrators and walked on towards the entrance with her bodyguards at her side. One does not wish to make too much of a single moment, but there is something instructive in it. Nonetheless, the protesters had a point to make, and they made it. The Princess Royal had a conference to attend, and she attended it. The footage duly posted online by Republic showed an elderly woman walking with characteristic purposefulness into a building where she was expected. It is not the image of an institution in crisis. It is the image of someone who has decided a very long time ago what she is for and who is not especially interested in being diverted from it.

8:27 She will travel to Jersey at the and is able to open the new Gorilla enclosure at Jersey Zoo, where she serves as patron of the Wild Conservation Trust. The opening will receive I would wager a fraction of the coverage devoted to the Polo drama announcement. This is simply how things are, and you can sign up for Deep Crown's free substack newsletter via the link in the show notes, or just google deep Crown and there you have it. If you like to email us of addresses at the Palace Entry at gmail dot com. Please followus on Spotify, Apple or the app of your choice. I'm Francis my thanks to you John McDermott. This balanced intrigue and good times. MH.