Now we've managed to ditch two of them, can we complete the task and ditch the rest of them ??? Harry and Meghan make last official appearance as senior royals PA Mar 9th 2020 11:13AM The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made their last official appearance as senior royals – celebrating the Commonwealth with members of the monarchy. Harry and Meghan arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Service looking relaxed after a hectic past few days which have seen them attend a string of public events. Their goodbye tour has included the Endeavour Fund Awards, a military musical festival at the Royal Albert Hall and Meghan's secret visit to a school in Dagenham, east London, to celebrate International Women's Day. 37 PHOTOS Royals attend the Commonwealth Service See Gallery The couple do not officially step down from their roles as working members of the royal family until March 31, but the service – broadcast around the globe on the BBC World Service – was the symbolic end of their life supporting the Queen. Meghan was seen to mouth "hi" and give a small wave to William and Kate, followed by a "hello", as the Cambridges took their seat in the High Altar in the row in front of the Sussexes. Harry also said "hello" and smiled at his brother. Edward partly rose to greet the Cambridges, but Sophie and the Sussexes remained seated. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the service (Yui Mok/PA) Meghan later chatted animatedly to Edward as they waited for the Queen to arrive, with Harry joining in the conversation and putting his arm on the back of Meghan's chair as he did so. As the members of the royal family arrived they were introduced to a line of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but no-one shook hands as they greeted each other. It is understood the Queen and other royals were following the protocol the Abbey has been operating under during the past few days following the coronavirus outbreak. The Prince of Wales opted for a namaste as he was introduced to guests including Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Scotland in the line-up. Meghan was dressed in a glamorous green Emilia Wickstead dress with a dramatic asymmetrical cape, and hat by William Chambers with flamboyant netting, while Kate wore a red Catherine Walker outfit and a hat by Sally-Ann Provan. In a change from last year's event the Sussexes were shown to their seats and did not wait at the Abbey's great west door to meet Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Queen before processing at the start of the ceremony. The move is likely to be interpreted by commentators as their impending exit from The Firm – dubbed Megxit – although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, unlike last year, also took their place in the 2,000-strong congregation and were not the procession through the Abbey. The royals at the Commonwealth Service (Phil Harris/Daily Mirror/PA) When Meghan and Harry first arrived they were greeted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and met a group of dignitaries including Mr Johnson and Baroness Scotland. The ceremony – the Sussexes' final public outing in their UK farewell tour – is a poignant milestone as they prepare to embark on their future away from the royal family. From March 31, the monarch's grandson and American former actress Meghan will no longer use their HRH styles as they pursue a new life of personal and financial freedom, mostly in North America. Harry and Meghan were celebrating the Commonwealth with members of the monarchy (Yui Mok/PA) On that date Meghan will bow out of royal life just one year, 10 months and 12 days – or 682 days – after marrying into the family. She spent almost five years longer appearing on screen in the US drama Suits.
Will Randy Andy be the next one to go ??? Duke of York ‘completely shut door’ on co-operating with Epstein probe – lawyer PA Mar 9th 2020 3:50PM The Duke of York has "completely shut the door" on co-operating with investigators over the probe into sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a US lawyer has said. Andrew stepped away from royal duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview in November about his relationship with Epstein, who killed himself in his jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. In a statement released four days later, the duke said he was "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required". Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options But Geoffrey Berman, who is leading the Epstein inquiry, told reporters on Monday: "Contrary to Prince Andrew's very public offer to co-operate with our investigation into Epstein's co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options." Mr Berman told a news conference in January the duke had "provided zero co-operation", claiming his lawyers had been contacted by prosecutors and the FBI as part of the probe. But a few days later, Andrew was reported to be "angry and bewildered" at the claims by the US authorities, with The Telegraph quoting a source as saying: "The duke is more than happy to talk to the FBI but he hasn't been approached by them yet." Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday: "This issue is being dealt with by The Duke of York's legal team. Buckingham Palace will not be commenting further on this particular matter." The palace has refused to give details of the duke's legal team but he has reportedly hired Clare Montgomery QC, who previously represented former dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet in the House of Lords. The barrister declined to comment.
