Meghan Markle’s pal reveals Lilibet, three, is going through her ‘princess phase’ but insists family are ‘down to earth’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle largely keep their children out of the spotlight, but the Duchess of Sussex has shared the new phase daughter Lilibet, three, has entered.
She revealed to chef and friend Adrian Lipscombe that the tot is currently in her “princess phase”.
This reveal comes as Meghan, 43, announced her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which is set to be available to stream on January 15.
The lifestyle show, of which the first trailer has already been released, is set to show Meghan cooking up a storm over the course of eight 33 minute episodes featuring a host of Meg’s various Hollywood friends trying her simple, yet “elevated”, food.
Fellow Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, who played Dana Scott on the hit show, made an appearance in the trailer.
Producer, actress and comedian Mindy Kaling could even be seen saying this was “one of the most glamorous moments” of her life.
A montage of various clips in the nearly two minute video showed Meghan walking through vegetable patches and fields.
She was also filmed browsing through florists hand selecting beautiful flowers for table arrangements, showing off her creative side.
The Duchess even tried her hand at beekeeping, fully suited up, as she collected honey.
In the exciting new trailer, Meghan shared: “I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it.
“Surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them.
“I’m going to share some little tips and tricks. I see what colour I gravitate to, and everything goes from there. And how you incorporate these practices every day.
“This is about connecting with friends.. I love that we’re doing this together for the first time. Making new friends.. and just learning.
“We’re not in the pursuit of perfection. We’re in the pursuit of joy. I have to get it totally wrong, to get it totally right.”
Despite the heart-warming trailer not everyone was totally on board with Meghan’s new venture, as publication Eater shared an article titled ‘I’m Already Bored by Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cooking Series’ that criticised Meghan’s career move.
Reacting to the story, chef and pal Adrian Lipscombe shared an Instagram post defending the Duchess.
Alongside a picture of the story, Adrian wrote: “How are you going to criticise someone or judge a TV show before it has even aired?’
The chef went on to praise Meghan and Prince Harry as “some of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met” and that he bonded with Meghan over both of their daughters being in a “princess phase”.
“We talked about our families (mostly about our daughters being in their princess phase and the movies they love) and, of course, about food.
“She didn’t rush the conversation, even though I was taking up her time. She was gracious, engaged, and kind,’ Adrian added.
How Meghan and Harry are investing their Netflix millions
HARRY and Meghan have begun investing their Netflix millions in a property portfolio.
They have bought a new home in Portugal, around the corner from Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband.
But the Sussexes, who have been spending an increasing amount of time apart, do not plan to live in their new pad, The Sun understands.
It is not known if the property will be rented out, used for Airbnb-style holiday lets or used purely to park money.
But it is seen as the first step of putting earnings from their TV and book deals into a global property empire.
“They’re being smart with their money,” a source said.
They pocketed £75million from streaming giant Netflix where they laid into fellow royals in a six-part series.
Meanwhile Harry, who got a £15million advance for his autobiography Spare, also inherited £8million from the late Queen Mother after turning 40 in September.
Palace insiders have been concerned about what will happen when the Sussexes run out of cash.
They have huge overheads, forking out a fortune on security in the US and for when Harry visits the UK.
And they are still paying a mortgage on the £11million Montecito mansion they bought after quitting as working royals in 2020.
Insiders say the Portugal home will be part of a financial portfolio which will include more real estate.
Who is Princess Lilibet?
Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born on June 4, 2021, is the second child of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
She was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California and shares the limelight with her older brother, Prince Archie.
Lilibet’s first name is a family nickname that stems from what her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, was called as a child.
The former Queen was later affectionately named Lilibet by her husband, Prince Phillip, Princess Lilibet’s great-grandfather.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also made a tribute to Lilibet’s late grandmother, Diana, Princess of Wales, through her middle name.
Before King Charles’ coronation in 2023, Princess Lilibet did not hold the title of princess but was instead addressed as Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The young royal is currently seventh in the line of succession to the throne.
Why did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back as senior working royals?
PRINCE Harry has always wanted out of the Royal Family and the repercussions will be felt for years, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex has lived in California with his wife Meghan Markle since 2020 after they dramatically quit their jobs as working royals and moved across the pond.
Katie Nicholl, who is Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that Megxit did not come as a surprise to her.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, the commentator explained: “Anyone who knows Harry is aware he’s always wanted a way out of the Royal Family.
“He’s said multiple times on the record that he wished he’d never been born a prince.
“I think he really is living the life he wants to now. It’s very, very sad that it’s played out the way it has.”
In a statement made on the Sussexes’ Instagram account as they stepped back in 2020, the pair wrote: “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.
“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.
“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”