Broadcaster Mark Dolan has dealt Meghan Markle a savage two-word blow after a signed copy of her children's book, which was inscribed to Prince Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie, appeared for sale on the internet.
The signed copy of The Bench was listed on London-based dealer Drive Easy's Signed Books eBay site for around £20,000, although it has now been removed.
'Hugely embarrassing' for the Duchess
Speaking on Australia's News24, Dolan described the situation as "hugely embarrassing" for the Duchess of Sussex.
"Well, this is hugely embarrassing for Meghan Markle. She's with her strange calligraphy writing she's written a note to Eugenie, who is of course the daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and her husband Jack Brooksbank," he explained, giving details of the listing.
"The bottom line is it's found itself on eBay, which is bad news for Meghan because either it means that Eugenie had thrown the book away and it's gone into someone else's hands, or Eugenie needs the money, a bit like her mother Fergie, and has tried to profit from it," he said.
Offering a third option, he pointed out: "She [Eugenie] might have left it in the house when she made the move, thinking this rather thin tome is of no value to me. In fact, it's of less value cuz it's got that strange woman's handwriting in it."
Plans to apologise to the royal family
This latest embarrassment comes after Express.co.uk exclusively revealed Meghan and Harry are planning to express their regrets to the royal family over comments they made to Oprah Winfrey during their 2021 bombshell TV interview.
Following their exit as senior royals and move to the US, Meghan, 45, claimed that there had been "concerns and conversations" from a Royal Family member about how dark their son Archie's skin would be before he was born.
The comment sparked a feud within the family after Meghan and Harry, 42, refused to reveal which royal had said it, forcing Prince William to issue a public denial to reporters.
A source has now claimed the couple are planning to eventually apologise to his family for Meghan's claims and the hurt they caused as part of a long-term plan for their fresh start in the UK.
A source said: "Harry and Meghan have always known since they decided to return to the UK that they would need to eat humble pie. Their one big regret about leaving the royal family for the US was their interview with Oprah, and Meghan knows her biggest mistake was her claim that a royal family member had discussed Archie's skin colour."
"Harry was angry with his family at the time, and backed Meghan up, but they now realise what a low blow it was. They both know they're hot-headed and realise they took things too far."
The insider added that Harry and Meghan are making long-term plans to live in the UK, and making amends with William and Kate is part of this. "They want to focus on the future, and are hoping that will include a reconciliation at some point. They really want a sit-down so they can address what they said, and Meghan will apologise."
