The latest royal reunion may have given Meghan Markle a fresh sense of confidence, as per sources. Prince Harry and Markle are said to have rebuilt their connection with King Charles, despite ongoing tensions with Prince William and Kate Middleton. Now, an insider claims the Sussexes believe they have made progress without needing the Waleses’ approval. The development could also give the couple hopes for a stronger place within the wider Royal Family.

Meghan Markle ‘feels vindicated’ after Kate and William are unable to ‘block’ royal reunion, per insider

According to a report from Heat Magazine, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry believe they have made progress with the Royal Family without Prince William and Kate Middleton’s approval. The couple reportedly met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House last month. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, also took part in the visit.

Now, the meeting has fueled speculation about a possible thaw in the family rift. Reports have even suggested that Charles could invite the Sussexes to Sandringham for Christmas. However, there has been no official confirmation of those plans.

For Markle, the alleged progress could feel especially significant. An insider close to the couple claimed that not having William and Middleton’s approval has actually “boosted Meghan’s confidence.” “It’s becoming increasingly clear they don’t need William and Kate’s approval,” the source said. They added that Charles’ efforts to move beyond the family dispute are “hugely satisfying” for Markle.

Furthermore, the insider claimed that the Sussexes believe their children could now have a place within the family. That supposedly matters to the couple as they try to rebuild their relationship with the 77-year-old monarch.

Nonetheless, the situation with William and Middleton is said to remain complicated. According to the same source, Markle and Harry believe the Waleses previously made reconciliation more difficult. “Both Meghan and Harry believe that both William and Kate went out of their way to make life as difficult as possible for them,” the insider alleged. The source claimed the couple feels “vindicated” because those efforts reportedly “failed.”

Still, the alleged feelings of vindication do not necessarily mean Markle and Harry have given up on the future king and his wife. The insider said they would “still very much like to have a better relationship” with the couple.

The royal rift has been building since Harry and Markle stepped away as senior royals in 2020. Their subsequent interviews and Harry’s memoir “Spare” also brought private family tensions into the public eye. Since then, Harry has evidently made efforts to rebuild his connection with his family. Now, as per the insider, the relationship with Charles may be moving in that direction.

‘I’m in charge’: Princess Anne’s unexpected role at brother King Charles’ Balmoral home

Princess Anne is widely regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the royal family.And it seems her resilient efforts to pitch in when it comes to supporting her brother, King Charles, extend beyond royal engagements.

According to one of the royal family’s former chefs, Anne was also incredibly conscientious in the kitchen, often offering help where possible.

Chef Darren McGrady, who spent 15 years working for the late Queen Elizabeth, has shared a glimpse into what it was really like cooking for the royals at Balmoral, as the family prepare to descend on the Scottish residence for their annual summer gathering.

Prince Anne’s helping hand

He revealed that Princess Anne was one of the most helpful members of the royal family. “You’d often get Princess Anne to come down to the kitchen and say: ‘I’m in charge of the first course tonight, what can I take?'” Darren said, per FoodBible.

Meanwhile, the late Prince Philip was also keen to chip in where possible, with Darren calling him the “most passionate of cooks in the kitchen”.

The Queen’s husband was apparently a big fan of outdoor cooking and had a penchant for preparing fresh ingredients from the garden. He said Philip would often ask what would be used to marinate the food to ensure it had the best flavour.

According to the chef, Philip would often take a stroll through the garden to find which produce could be used in the meal, and would sometimes offer to take charge of the main course.

Prince Edward, he said, was known for having a sweet tooth, often asking staff to spruce up pancake batter by adding strawberries and raspberries from the garden and pairing the dish with ice cream.

This comes after it was announced earlier this week that Balmoral had now shut its doors to the public ahead of the royal family visit.

According to one of the royal family’s former chefs, Anne was also incredibly conscientious in the kitchen, often offering help where possible (@ Getty Images)

The royal family’s summer plans

As the royal family get ready to retreat to the 50,000-acre estate in Aberdeenshire for the summer, the grounds will no longer be open to the public. Balmoral Castle’s official website states that visitors are welcome to the grounds, gardens, and exhibitions from 28 March to 9 August, after which the castle will close its gates ahead of the royal family’s arrival.”

The grounds, gardens, Mews Gift Shop, Restaurant and Ballroom Exhibition are now open daily until Sunday 9th August,” the notice reads. From 10 August, the estate will remain temporarily closed to visitors for the duration of the summer.

The grounds are expected to reopen for the autumn season from early October.Balmoral has been a beloved holiday home for the family ever since it was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852. Nestled within the Cairngorms National Park, it has served as a private sanctuary for the royals to spend their summer in the Scottish Highlands each year.

Balmoral was the last royal residence Queen Elizabeth stayed at before her death on 8 September 2022. In a heartfelt message following his mother’s passing, Charles expressed his affection for the Scottish residence and its significance to his family.