Good evening! We're chatting about two new updates from the Palace, latest news and fashion items of interest.
Harry and Meghan's Invictus Engagement... On Friday, 6 April, Prince Harry and Meghan will attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath Sports Training Village. The UK team trials are being run by Help for Heroes, with support from the Ministry of Defence, the Royal British Legion and the Endeavour Fund, and will be hosted at the University of Bath over four days. They will see more than 400 WIS military personnel and veterans compete for one of the 72 places available on the UK team. The couple will join Invictus Games hopefuls as they try out on the athletics track and field, before meeting those taking part in the indoor sitting volleyball trials.
Armed Forces to Provide Ceremonial Support for Royal Wedding... Kensington Palace tweeted earlier today: "The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Armed Forces units with a special connection to Prince Harry will provide ceremonial support at his wedding to Ms. Meghan Markle on 19 May. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are pleased that members of the Armed Forces will play such a special role in their Wedding. The Military, and these units in particular, hold a great significance for Prince Harry and the couple are incredibly grateful for their support."
The Household Cavalry will "form a staircase party at St George's chapel". The military has played an incredibly important role in Harry's life and it's wonderful the connection will be celebrated at the royal wedding.
The press release from the Ministry of Defence reads:
Streets within the precincts of Windsor Castle will be lined by members of the Windsor Castle Guard from 1st Battalion Irish Guards, and by Armed Forces personnel from the following units:
Below, Meghan at the One Young World summit in Dublin in 2014. You can read more about her work with the organisation here.
There's a fun video from her Dublin visit showing Meghan learning to pull the perfect pint of Guinness. Meghan also discusses her father's Irish roots and working with Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell.
Fashion Updates... Firstly, we have an updated ID to share. The terrific ladies at What Meghan Wore discovered Meghan's Victoria Beckham Cashmere Sweater is in fact a new season style and not an older piece as originally thought. The ivory sweater is available at Harrods.
The Greta Constantine Kace skirt Meghan wore in Belfast is available for pre-order at Tres Chic (with thanks to Japanese Ginger).
Meghan's Amanda Wakeley Springsteen dress is back in stock.
And Meghan's Marks & Spencer Autograph Wool Blend Round Neck Bell Sleeve Jumper has been restocked in all sizes again.
It's also available in the striking 'Flame' colourway.
Easter Sunday Appearance?... Several of you have been in touch asking if there's a possibility we'll see Harry and Meghan with members of the Royal family for Easter Sunday service. The service is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor where Harry and Meghan will marry in May. There's no official word nor has it been discussed by royal reporters on social media. It's also possible Harry and Meghan may have other plans, however I certainly wouldn't rule it out. We'll wait and see... Do you remember last Easter weekend Harry dashed to Canada to visit Meghan?
Harry and Meghan's Invictus Engagement... On Friday, 6 April, Prince Harry and Meghan will attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath Sports Training Village. The UK team trials are being run by Help for Heroes, with support from the Ministry of Defence, the Royal British Legion and the Endeavour Fund, and will be hosted at the University of Bath over four days. They will see more than 400 WIS military personnel and veterans compete for one of the 72 places available on the UK team. The couple will join Invictus Games hopefuls as they try out on the athletics track and field, before meeting those taking part in the indoor sitting volleyball trials.
This is a very interesting engagement as Harry and Meghan will attend the Invictus Games in Sydney in October. According to The Sunday Times, plans are in the works for the games to coincide with a tour of Australia and New Zealand. The 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto marked the couple's first official public appearances. Just two months later their engagement was announced.
The Household Cavalry will "form a staircase party at St George's chapel". The military has played an incredibly important role in Harry's life and it's wonderful the connection will be celebrated at the royal wedding.
The press release from the Ministry of Defence reads:
'Regiments and units that hold a special relationship with Prince Harry will provide ceremonial support at the wedding and during the carriage procession at the request of Kensington Palace. More than 250 members of the Armed Forces will perform ceremonial duties at the wedding.
Members of the Household Cavalry will form a staircase party at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle as part of the wedding. The State Trumpeters and a Captain’s Escort from the Household Cavalry will also provide ceremonial support.
Prince Harry joined The Blues and Royals in April 2006 and served with the Household Cavalry Regiment, undertaking two tours of Afghanistan and rising to the rank of Captain.'
Streets within the precincts of Windsor Castle will be lined by members of the Windsor Castle Guard from 1st Battalion Irish Guards, and by Armed Forces personnel from the following units:
- Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving. Prince Harry is Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving.
- Royal Marines. Prince Harry is Captain General Royal Marines, after succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh in the role in December 2017.
- 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. Prince Harry served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps.
- The Royal Gurkha Rifles. Prince Harry served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in Afghanistan in 2007.
- RAF Honington. Prince Harry is Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington.
- Musical support to the street liners will be provided by the Band of the Irish Guards.
The British Army shared this video following the news.
New State Ceremonial trumpets have sounded their first traditional fanfare. The Band of the Household Cavalry’s instruments will be used in May at the wedding of HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Ms Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/d7gBbUA0m1— British Army (@BritishArmy) March 28, 2018
An Official Visit to the Republic of Ireland... Harry and Meghan have not even tied the knot yet and we're already looking ahead to what their first months as a married couple hold for them. According to several reports the couple will officially visit the Republic of Ireland in the weeks after their wedding for two days.
More from the Irish Independent:
'Sources tell the Irish Independent that they are likely to take part in a series of engagements over two days. It will be the second royal visit of the summer, as Harry's father Prince Charles, and his wife Camilla, are expected in late April or early May. "It will possibly be the first foreign trip after their wedding," said a source.
The publicity around such a visit could prove helpful in Anglo-Irish relations at a time when Brexit has created a strain between the two governments. The British Embassy was not in a position to comment last night.
Details of royal trips are generally kept very tight until shortly before the event due to security concerns. Harry has never visited Ireland before but Meghan spent time here as an ambassador for the One Young World summit in 2014.'
Below, Meghan at the One Young World summit in Dublin in 2014. You can read more about her work with the organisation here.
There's a fun video from her Dublin visit showing Meghan learning to pull the perfect pint of Guinness. Meghan also discusses her father's Irish roots and working with Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell.
She's pulled a Prince, but can @MeghanMarkle pull a pint? We found out when she visited Dublin in 2013 (and quizzed the royal-to-be about her Colin Farrell crush!) 👑🍺 pic.twitter.com/RIxV1gwrmc— Xposé (@TV3Xpose) November 27, 2017
Very excited for the trip and looking forward to seeing the itinerary!
Fashion Updates... Firstly, we have an updated ID to share. The terrific ladies at What Meghan Wore discovered Meghan's Victoria Beckham Cashmere Sweater is in fact a new season style and not an older piece as originally thought. The ivory sweater is available at Harrods.
The Greta Constantine Kace skirt Meghan wore in Belfast is available for pre-order at Tres Chic (with thanks to Japanese Ginger).
Meghan's Amanda Wakeley Springsteen dress is back in stock.
And Meghan's Marks & Spencer Autograph Wool Blend Round Neck Bell Sleeve Jumper has been restocked in all sizes again.
It's also available in the striking 'Flame' colourway.
Easter Sunday Appearance?... Several of you have been in touch asking if there's a possibility we'll see Harry and Meghan with members of the Royal family for Easter Sunday service. The service is held at St George's Chapel, Windsor where Harry and Meghan will marry in May. There's no official word nor has it been discussed by royal reporters on social media. It's also possible Harry and Meghan may have other plans, however I certainly wouldn't rule it out. We'll wait and see... Do you remember last Easter weekend Harry dashed to Canada to visit Meghan?