It sometimes seems that ever since the Duke of Sussex packed his bags, boarded the freedom flight and ensconced himself in sunny, moneyed Montecito, there’s been no end of publicity problems. Whether it’s uproar over his very baring autobiography, Spare, criticism of those occasions where he has lobbed insults at his relatives in interviews and his Netflix documentary, or mockery over a questionable car chase in Manhattan, the past few years have seen the erstwhile Royal battling myriad negative headlines.
And here’s another.
The Duke of Sussex’s name has now appeared in court documents relating to a lawsuit lodged against Sean Combs, better known to the world as the rapper Diddy. The suit, brought by music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, claims that Diddy is a predatory rapist and sex trafficker who used his “access” to high-profile figures such as Prince Harry to lend legitimacy to events that were, allegedly, sex-trafficking parties where Jones claims he was drugged and forced to have sex with prostitutes.
To be clear: Prince Harry is only mentioned once in passing and there is zero indication that the Duke of Sussex has done anything wrong. He has only been photographed once with the rapper – 17 years ago – alongside his brother Prince William and musician Kanye West, after a concert in memory of Diana, the late Princess of Wales.
His inclusion in these court documents seems frankly bizarre. Although the plaintiff claimed that Diddy used his relationship with the great and the good – “athletes, political figures, artists, musicians and international dignitaries” – it is only Prince Harry who gets included by name. There are plenty of celebrities who have had well documented relationships and friendships with the rapper, so it seems particularly strange that “British Royal Prince Harry”, as the suit refers to him, is singled out and named.
Diddy, who has denied Jones’s allegations, is facing a slew of serious sexual misconduct accusations. On Monday, squads of Department of Homeland Security agents raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, supported by helicopters and police dogs, in a sex-trafficking probe.
So how has this happened? Prince Harry is hardly the first celebrity to have been pictured standing beside an unsavoury character at a showbiz event. Both Elon Musk and Piers Morgan had to defend themselves when photographs showing them with Ghislaine Maxwell, since jailed for child sex-trafficking in association with Jeffrey Epstein, at red-carpet functions circulated online. And Prince Harry’s uncle, the Duke of York knows well the reputational damage that can come after being photographed with, in his case, a convicted sex offender.
All Prince Harry did was pose alongside a music superstar at a concert in honour of his mother. How was he to know that in almost 20 years’ time the superstar would be accused of truly heinous crimes? There has already been a backlash to news outlets’ decision to crop use photos of Prince Harry with Diddy, rather than those also featuring Prince William.
What this latest negative news story illustrates, in my opinion, is Prince Harry’s Hollywood problem. When he quit life as a working Royal, he not only lost his personal security but also his spot under the umbrella of protection that the Royal family grants its principles. He lost the gravitas and mystery of the Royal institution, the steely-eyed determination of the courtiers to protect the reputations of their employers and, for the most part, the British press’s deference to the Royal family.
There’s a reason Prince William has not been included in those pictures. The next-in-line to the throne is protected. Harry may be in sunny California, but as far as being offered deference by the world’s press is concerned, he might as well be in chilly Siberia.
He’s operating in a new world now – Hollywood. And while there are great gains to be made – Netflix deals included – there are great risks, too. His celebrity is of a global stature and people know that dropping his name will guarantee headlines. There is greater scrutiny over his movements and the people he chooses to associate with. No tinsel town PR guru, no matter how accomplished and well-connected, will be able to offer the same protection that the palace walls once gave Harry.
Meghan Markle came to UK to outshine the Queen but failed (Photos)
A renowned author Barbara Taylor Bradford has claimed that Meghan Markle came to Britain to be the star of the red carpet.
A Woman Of Substance author, gave an impression in her opinion as the Duchess of Sussex came to the UK to outshine the Queen, but failed.
READ ALSO: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s secret ‘work divorce’
READ ALSO: There is a very bizarre and interesting theory surrpunding Meghan Markle's baby...
Bradford, who has lived in New York for decades, claimed: 'Meghan came to the UK imagining she'd be the star of the red carpet, even though she wasn't much more than a starlet in America.'
"What she didn't realise is that we already have a shining star on the red carpet, someone who's been there for 70 years. She's called the Queen," the author told The Daily Mail.
She added: 'The Queen is magnificent, and William and Kate grow in stature day by day. She's divine — and how does she stay so slim?'
READ MORE: Man Who Filmed Kate Middleton-Prince William Called Out 'Delusional' Conspiracy ...
READ MORE: Princess Catherine, William and Royals ‘Learning to Live With’ Conspiracy Theori...
Sharing her knowledge about the former Suits star, the author - who was handed an OBE by the Queen - claimed the Duchess of Sussex tried and failed to outshine the Queen.
Bradford, who has lived in New York for decades, went on to say: 'The Queen is magnificent, and William and Kate grow in stature day by day. She's divine — and how does she stay so slim?'
Meghan flew commercial on secret trip to Toronto
Duchess Meghan made a secret trip to Toronto to visit her best friend, visionary style consultant and entrepreneur Jessica Mulroney.
Meghan, 37, who traveled without Prince Harry, flew commercial round-trip to Toronto for the three-day trip, ABC News has learned.
“Meghan spent three days holed up at Jessica Mulroney and her husband Ben’s home in Toronto,” said Omid Scobie, ABC News royal contributor. “They spent their days catching up, cooking together and, of course, playing with Jessica’s children, who love their 'Auntie Meg.'”
Read also: Meghan Markle Under Fire for Acting Like a Mother to Prince Harry
Read also: Is Prince Harry Under Meghan Markle’s Thumb?
Meghan and Jessica, who met while Meghan lived in Toronto while filming “Suits,” also had a chance to catch up with old friends during Meghan’s under-the-radar visit.
“There was one evening when Meghan and Jessica secretly headed out into the town to meet some of Meghan’s old, good friends,” Scobie said.
Mulroney and her family played a starring role in Meghan’s May wedding to Prince Harry on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Read more: Princess Catherine not your drama queen : The British public don't care about co...
Read more; DIRTY HARRY Harry branded ‘disrespectful’ towards women ‘during Swiss ski trip w...
Mulroney and her husband sat in the front row at the wedding, across the aisle from the royal family. Their twin sons, Brian and John, served as page boys in the wedding and their daughter, Ivy, was a bridesmaid.
Brian and John, 7, memorably held the train of Meghan’s Givenchy dress as she walked up the steps of St. George’s Chapel.
Mulroney, also a bridal consultant, assisted Meghan with planning her high-profile wedding. She has also continued to consult her best friend on style choices for high-profile royal engagements.
Related: MEG HER MOVE Meghan Markle always played the victim and was looking for a way ou...
Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's one wish for their kids before tragic moment
Meghan wore a $595 tuxedo dress by a Canadian designer, Judith and Charles, when she and Harry attended a gala performance of “Hamilton” Wednesday in London.
The performance, which benefited Harry’s charity Sentebale, was the couple’s first public event after enjoying a few weeks out of the public eye.
Harry and Meghan visited Prince Charles’s Castle of Mey in Scotland and also enjoyed an Italian getaway at the Lake Como home of George and Amal Clooney.
Read more: Will Harry fly back to see the sister-in-law he was once so close to? Duke of Su...
The couple is now preparing for a busy fall schedule that will include their first major royal tour. Harry and Meghan will visit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga on behalf of Queen Elizabeth and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Next spring, Meghan and Harry are scheduled to make their first tour to the United States at the request of the U.K. Foreign Office and the British government.
Meghan reportedly has no plans to visit her father, Thomas Markle, who has caused tension with her by speaking to the press.
Read more: Princess Catherine restored class to monarchy — may she get well soon
Read more: What happened during Meghan Markle’s first marriage?
“There have been reports that Meghan was planning to secretly fly out to Mexico to spend time with her father but right now she has absolutely no plans to see him,” Scobie said.
Meghan Markle branded 'a woman at war with everyone' (Photos)
A TV host launched into a brutal verbal attack on Meghan Markle on live television, accusing her of being "a woman at war with everyone".
During an analysis of the Queen's speech and other Royal Family events over Christmas, TV host and writer Sophile Elsworth had many positive things to say about Kate Middleton and Her Majesty.
RELATED : Meghan Markle's Dating History: All Of The Duchess' Relationships
RELATED : Meghan Markle accused of 'stealing' from Kim Kardashian's friend
But things turned sour when the Aussie unloaded fierce criticism at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Express reports.
When asked whether Harry and Meghan would be "welcome around the Christmas table" by the Queen, Ms Elsworth claimed the California-based pair "would absolutely not" be.
She went further in her analysis, noting: “The Queen in her speech didn’t mention Meghan or Harry."
The writer continued her barrage alluding to Meghan's court victory against the Mail on Sunday for publishing letters between her and her father, Thomas Markle.
READ THIS: Donald Trump again hints at Prince Harry's deportation if he's re-Elected
READ THIS: Princess Catherine's lookalike breaks silence on claims she was snapped with Pri...
She said: “Now she has had this court case that she has won against the newspaper.
“She has won this court case, this might be a win for Meghan!"
Off the back of the case, the Aussie went on to accuse Meghan, saying “she is at war with everyone!”
Ms Elsworth suggested: “This woman falls out with everyone!
READ MORE: The Real Reason Meghan Markle Hasn't Been Wearing Her Engagement Ring From Princ...
READ MORE: Rose Hanbury responds to Prince William affair rumors
“She falls out with her best friends, her own father, her step sister, her in-laws!
“I mean the list goes on and on!”
In a nasty jab at the Duchess of Sussex, Ms Elsworth added how she “just wishes there was a day where I don’t have to hear about Meghan Markle”.
A representative for the Sussexes has been contacted for comment.
