Recent revelations have shed light on the early reservations held by a close confidante of the late Queen Elizabeth II regarding Meghan Markle's relationship with Prince Harry. Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin of the Queen and a respected figure within royal circles, reportedly expressed doubts about the sincerity of Meghan's feelings for Harry, suggesting that the former actress might have 'engineered' their romance. These claims, brought to light by royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, highlight the tensions that existed within the royal family prior to the couple's 2018 wedding.

According to Bedell Smith's account, Lady Anson, who was known for her close relationship with the Queen and her role as a royal party planner, initially found Meghan to be 'full of charm' and 'intelligent and thoughtful' upon her engagement to Harry. However, as the wedding approached, Lady Anson's perspective shifted, leading her to question whether Meghan was truly in love with Harry or if she had orchestrated their relationship for personal gain. 'We hope but don't quite think she is in love. We think she engineered it all,' Lady Anson is reported to have said.

The biographer also recounts Lady Anson's concerns about the dynamic between Meghan and Harry, noting that Meghan's intelligence and strength could overshadow Harry's more subdued personality. 'Meghan is clearly brighter than Harry, but she has to be careful not to overshadow him,' Lady Anson allegedly remarked. These comments reflect the broader unease within parts of the royal family about the couple's compatibility and the potential challenges their union might bring to the monarchy.

In response to these claims, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has declined to comment, while a source close to the couple dismissed the allegations as 'just gossip.' Nonetheless, these revelations offer a glimpse into the private discussions and concerns that surrounded one of the most talked-about royal weddings in recent history, underscoring the complexities of integrating a Hollywood actress into the centuries-old traditions of the British royal family.

Two people were killed and three others seriously injured in an attack outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday morning. The incident occurred in the Crumpsall area, approximately four miles from Manchester city center, during Yom Kippur - the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the fatalities following what they described as a "major incident" involving both a vehicle and knife attack.

The suspect, a male, was shot by armed police officers at 9:38 AM and is believed to be deceased, though authorities noted his death "cannot currently be confirmed due to safety issues" after discovering "suspicious items on his person." Police were initially called to the scene at 9:30 AM following reports of a car being driven toward members of the public and a stabbing. Among the injured was a man believed to be a security guard at the synagogue.

Authorities have deployed multiple specialized units to the scene, including anti-terrorism personnel, military representatives, and bomb disposal teams. Greater Manchester Police activated the "Plato" protocol, which is used for large-scale attacks including "mobile terrorist attacks." A large number of worshippers who were inside the synagogue at the time of the incident were initially held inside while the immediate area was secured, but have since been evacuated.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed being "shocked" by the incident and is cutting short his visit to Denmark, where he was attending a European Political Community meeting, to chair a government Cobra committee meeting in London. The Prime Minister's office confirmed that "additional police assets" will be deployed at synagogues across the country following the attack. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stated that the attacker is believed to have died in the incident.