EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Why did the late Queen refuse Harry and Meghan’s proposal for a new style of monetised royalty?

Unfettered by royal restrictions, Meghan is free to sell her jam and pursue commercial work — which begs the question: Why did the late queen reject Harry and Meghan’s proposal for a new style of monetized royalties?

Could this stem from Sophie Wessex’s decision to continue working in public relations after her marriage to Edward?

The Queen approved of this new type of royal work, but changed her mind two years later when Sophie was caught indiscretion about her royal connections while trying to impress potential clients.

It’s an experiment that no one wants to repeat.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Cullinan V brooch while visiting London Fashion Week in 2018

Spice Girl Mel Bpictured, recalls sitting next to Charles, then Prince of Wales, as he attended the premiere of the group’s 1997 film Spice World.

“He was laughing his head off, and I was sitting there thinking, ‘Oh my God, this movie is great, everyone is really enjoying it,'” she recalls.

“I said to Charles, ‘You’re really enjoying it, aren’t you?’ and he said, “I’m a good actor.” CHEEKY!’

The Prince of Wales shakes hands with Scary Spice (Mel B) as he meets the Spice Girls at the gala premiere of Spiceworld, The Movie on December 15, 1997

Pictured in 1997: From left to right: Ginger Spice, real name Geraldine Halliwell, aged 24; Sporty Spice, Melanie Chisholm, 22, Scary Spice, Melanie Brown, 21; Fancy Spices, Victoria Adams, 22; Baby Spice, Emma Bunton, 20

Slow Horses star Gary Oldman is still mourning his mother Kathleen, who rejoiced when he won an Oscar in 2018 for his role as Churchill in Darkest Hour.

“She always said to me, ‘Oh, one day you’re going to win an Oscar, honey.’ I would just say, “Yeah, you never know. One day, Mom,” he tells Saga magazine.

“And I think she stuck with it. Really and truly. I won the Oscar and she died. She let go. Her mission is accomplished.”

Gary Oldman with his mother Kathleen Oldman, before she died in 2019 at the age of 98

Gary Oldman won an Oscar in 2018 for his role as Churchill in Darkest Hour (2017)

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty, pictured, admits unprompted that she has slept naked since she was a teenager.

Will her late colleague Bill Turnbull (a buttoned-up flannel pajama man if there ever was one) turn in his grave?

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty with her co-presenter Charlie Stayt

Anglicism’s latest delightfully wacky cleric, Ven Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool, is calling for more anti-whiteness, adding that ‘whiteness’ does not necessarily refer to skin colour.

Mind you, she does admit on her X-feed that she went to her optician last week. New glasses for the Archdeacon, please!

Pig farmer and Charles in The Crown Dominic West tells Bath Life about his affection for his first sow.

“We slaughtered her and now we can’t eat her,” he laments. ‘Poor Marla…’ Marla? “Yes, the boar was red and gingery, so we named him Donald.

‘And so the sows are named after his wives. We still have Melania and Ivana left…’

Pig farmer and Charles in The Crown Dominic West at the Golden Globes in January