EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Harry and Meghan 'are planning a trip to South Africa with baby Archie later this year'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who sealed their blossoming romance with a trip to Botswana, are firming up plans to return to Africa.
I hear that officials in South Africa have been told to expect a visit by Prince Harry, Meghan and baby Archie later this year.
‘People have been informed that the Duke and Duchess will be coming,’ a source claims. ‘Early preparations have begun.’
Harry, who is currently in Italy on his second foreign trip since Archie was born 19 days ago, is expected to be joined by Meghan and their baby when they visit South Africa and a number of other countries on the continent.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who sealed their blossoming romance with a trip to Botswana, are firming up plans to return to Africa - this time with son Archie. The trip is being seen as a possible prelude to a much longer stay in Africa, of several months, next year
Keep it chic like the Duchess of Sussex in a double-breasted dress by Wales Bonner
The world has been waiting for a glimpse of the newest member of the Royal Family, but of course we want to see the proud new parents too!
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their newborn son Archie at Windsor Castle last week, and they looked positively glowing with pride.
We all remember the Jenny Packham dresses that the Duchess of Cambridge wore when leaving the hospital with each of her three children, and we're certainly going to remember this beautiful look on Meghan.
She teamed a belted white double breasted midi dress by Wales Bonner, with her Jennifer Meyer turquoise necklace and some nude suede court shoes by Manolo Blahnik.
British designer Grace Wales Bonner's pieces are all about clever tailoring, which explains the tuxedo detail on this elegant midi.
Feeling inspired to copy Meghan's new motherly style? We love the dress/jacket hybrid design, and we've rounded up some similar alternatives below. Wear with nude pumps, or layer with some cropped culottes.
The trip is being seen as a possible prelude to a much longer stay in Africa, of several months, next year.
Harry has a deep love of Africa, explaining that it’s the place ‘where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world’.
After only two dates with Meghan, who was then an actress in the legal drama Suits, smitten Harry decided to whisk her off to Botswana to enjoy five nights camping under the African stars.
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He later said he felt the ‘stars were aligned’ when he met the American.
The couple returned again the next summer, and the southern African state was still very much in his mind when the Prince began designing Meghan’s engagement ring: at its centre is a diamond from Botswana.
He has been to South Africa many times and his long-term former girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, who was born in Zimbabwe, went to the University of Cape Town.
Harry’s uncle, Earl Spencer, lived in Cape Town during his first marriage, to Victoria Lockwood, and several of his cousins remain there.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will say only: ‘Nothing has been confirmed about upcoming tours.’
Location, Location, Location host Kirstie Allsopp might be an expert when it comes to property, but it’s her cousin, Millie, who has the sartorial skills.
The affable 29-year-old daughter of former antiques dealer John Allsopp, Kirstie’s uncle, is launching an eco-conscious fashion label next month.
‘It’s called Usisi, which my sister Kathryn and I started together,’ Millie tells me. ‘I was a buyer and my sister is a designer. We make contemporary womenswear and handbags.
Kirstie Allsopp cousin, Millie (pictured), is launching an eco-conscious fashion label next month called Usisi
The collection is designed in London and produced in sustainably operated factories in Vietnam and Turkey using all-natural fabrics and no plastic packaging.’
London-born Millie, who graduated from New York’s Parsons School of Design, also has exciting news in her love life: she’s engaged to handsome German entrepreneur Constantin Nagel, 40.
‘We met in New York,’ Millie gushes. ‘The wedding is in July and I’ll be wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress.’
What better time for Kirstie’s long-term partner, property developer Ben Anderson, to pop the question?
He's been married twice, suffered the sudden disappearance of his father, and stood in the dock alongside his brother in an eight-month fraud trial.
But it seems that, at 62, Ian Maxwell, son of disgraced tycoon Robert, may have found peace of mind — in the company of an eminent Whitehall mandarin.
He has been stepping out with Cecilia French, 58, director of Public Protection at the Home Office.
‘Cecilia has been brilliant,’ says a friend. Maxwell is estranged from second wife Tara and was previously married to U.S. model Laura Plumb.
Ian Maxwell, son of disgraced tycoon Robert, has been stepping out with Cecilia French, 58, director of Public Protection at the Home Office. He is estranged from second wife Tara and was previously married to U.S. model Laura Plumb
While Theresa May’s husband, Philip, has been a stalwart support during her premiership, former Labour leader Ed Miliband admits he regrets the role forced on his wife, Justine Thornton.
‘If I did it again, I would do it differently,’ Miliband tells Alastair Campbell and his daughter, Grace, in their new podcast, Football, Feminism And Everything In Between.
‘Things like her coming up on stage after a party conference speech, I should not have done that.
I also underestimated the stress, anxiety and the nightmare it was for Justine. It must be hard for Philip May now. I was not appreciative enough.’
Willowy actress Cressida Bonas has a surprisingly hearty appetite — and is fed up with the puny rations she’s served in top restaurants.
Willowy actress Cressida Bonas has a surprisingly hearty appetite — and is fed up with the puny rations she’s served in top restaurants
‘I’m not a big fan of any of those expensive places that you go to and they come and give you this tiny little portion on a massive plate,’ Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend says. ‘I just do not get it.’
Cressie, the daughter of businessman Jeffrey Bonas and former model Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon, adds: ‘The plates are covered in loads of different exotic creams and fancy flowers.
I’ve never really got that. Sometimes there are five forks on the table and I think, “Oh, my God, which one do I start with.”’
What a relief she didn’t have to face all those palace state banquets . . .
Nigel Havers has cast Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville as his dad, even though he’s 12 years his junior.
‘I am directing a film called Butterfly On A Wheel about my father and me when I was a kid,’ he tells me at the Chelsea Flower Show.
‘We start filming in the autumn.’
Lord Havers was a barrister who defended Mick Jagger and Keith Richards when they were busted for drugs in 1967.
The case became a cause celebre, with Jacob Rees-Mogg’s father, William, writing a celebrated editorial for The Times headed: ‘Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?’ that helped the Stones successfully appeal their convictions.
Freddie Fox hit the headlines when he implied he could be bisexual, explaining: ‘Most of my life to date has been as a straight man, but who knows what will happen next?’
I hear the son of The Day Of The Jackal star Edward Fox has, though, found love with a woman. She’s Tanya Reynolds, who plays awkward Lily Iglehart in Netflix’s worldwide hit comedy Sex Education.
Freddie, 30, tells me he met Tanya, 27, on the film set of period drama Fanny Lye Deliver’d, due out later this year. She previously appeared opposite his sister, Silent Witness star Emilia Fox, in Sky One drama Delicious.
Although he comes from one of our most illustrious acting families, Freddie is in no rush to become a father. He tells me: ‘I don’t feel pressure to prolong the Fox dynasty — it’s the last thing I feel pressure about.’
Freddie Fox (right) hit the headlines when he implied he could be bisexual. I hear the son of The Day Of The Jackal star Edward Fox has, though, found love with a woman. She’s Tanya Reynolds (left), who plays awkward Lily Iglehart in Netflix’s worldwide hit comedy Sex Education
The Duchess of Cambridge is enjoying a baby boom among her circle.
While Kate, 37, is hoping for baby No 4, as I reported this month, her friend Lady Sybilla Rufus Isaacs is expecting her fifth child at 38 with gardener Charlie Hart.
‘Five is a bit crazy,’ says Sybilla’s sister, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, who has two of her own with Kate’s ex-boyfriend, solicitor Rupert Finch. ‘I don’t have plans for any more at the moment — I’ve got my hands full.’
Meanwhile, jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who played a key role in re-uniting William and Kate after they split up temporarily in 2007, is celebrating the arrival of his third child. His wife, Annabel, has just given birth to a son, Alexander.
Come on, Wills!
(Very) modern manners
In this age of seedy hook-up apps, some people are flying the flag for more innocent courtships.
Socialite Heather Bird, 49, whose relationship with her property tycoon ex-husband Robert Tchenguiz featured in a memorable BBC documentary, now has a toyboy 20 years her junior, Ross William Wild, Spandau Ballet’s lead singer.
But U.S.-born Heather insists on waiting before they consummate their romance. ‘I haven’t had sex with Ross,’ she tells me at the Women In Film International cocktail reception at Cannes, with remarkable candour.
‘We have slept in the same bed many times, but I learned from my Mormon upbringing to honour my body and to keep sacred the power of procreation.’ Yowzah!
