Jeffrey Epstein allegedly plotted to have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson killed.

"He spoke to a hitman who was a former member of the British SAS and said he wanted the Yorks dead. He wanted to remove them," historian Andrew Lownie told The Daily Beast. "I've been told this by two reliable sources, one in Paris and a former FBI agent in Florida, and I can believe it's true."

"Epstein said all sorts of things, and you can't always believe what he said," Lownie added.

Ferguson and Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein ended their public careers. Despite the damage their relationship with Epstein caused to their reputations, the disgraced financier remained fearful that the duo would spill his secrets.

"I don't know how far he got with the plans. But I think he was very nervous before he died," Lownie noted. "It's extraordinary and like a scene from The Day of the Jackal — but nothing about this saga is normal."

"She was worried about her safety and that of her daughters. Epstein mixed with some pretty nasty people, so the fear was real," Lownie continued. "Jeffrey became paranoid the Palace would kill him. If Jeffrey hadn't died, Andrew and Fergie would have been murdered. They knew too much."

Ferguson's rep echoed how scary Epstein could be.

"People don't understand how terrible Epstein was. I can remember everything about that call," James Henderson told The Telegraph after his client called Epstein a "supreme friend."

"It was a chilling call, and I'm surprised anybody was ever friends with him given the way he talked to me," Henderson stated. "He said he would destroy the York family and he was quite clear on that. He said he would destroy me. He wasn't shouting. He had a Hannibal Lecter-type voice. It was very cold and calm and really menacing and nasty. The pressure she was put under to protect her family must have been huge. I am sure there were legal actions."

"And this was long before the duke's life had been ruined by his association with Epstein," Henderson added. "It was 14 years ago and everyone will do what they have to do to protect their family. Her family and children will always come first for her."

Sarah Ferguson came to Meghan Markle's rescue before the actress met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time.

According to Prince Harry, the former Duchess of York gave the Suits star one crucial tip to impress the late monarch. 

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Ferguson gives Meghan an important tip

In the Duke of Sussex's 2023 memoir Spare, he recounts Meghan's introduction to his grandmother during a lunch with his extended family at Royal Lodge in Windsor.  

"Fergie came out, a little emotional and asked, 'Can you curtsy?' Meg shook her head. Fergie then demonstrated and Meg imitated her," Harry recalled.

The author and the With Love, Meghan star went on to marry in 2018 with Her Majesty's blessing.

What has Ferguson said about Meghan?

Despite Ferguson's friendly gesture toward Meghan, the 66-year-old has publicly distanced herself from her nephew's wife.

"I don't really know Meghan. I haven't really met her. I spoke to her at [Elizabeth's] funeral and I thought she looked absolutely beautiful. I think she is beautiful," Ferguson told The Telegraph in 2023.

"She has made Harry very happy and that is so nice. Honestly, he's so happy with her. She really loves him. And I think that's beautiful and that [Princess] Diana would be proud of him and her [two] lovely grandchildren," she added.

What does Meghan think of Ferguson's public scandal?

Ferguson and her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, were stripped of their titles and evicted from Royal Lodge over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

"Neither Harry nor Meghan will want to be seen to be associated with Andrew or Sarah Ferguson. From Meghan's point of view, it's probably a commercial thing. From Harry's point of view, it's probably more of an emotional thing," royal expert Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror. 

"With Meghan, there's a divide there," he continued. "The Jeffrey Epstein situation is hugely sensitive, especially in America and of course, Epstein, [disgraced film producer] Harvey Weinstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were photographed together at [Princess] Beatrice's 18th birthday."

Meghan shutting out Beatrice and Eugenie?

While their parents are plagued by scandal, Harry reportedly isn't keen on distancing himself from his cousins, Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

"Harry has always been close to Beatrice and Eugenie," Larcombe said. "Meghan will be very aware of the sensitivities as she's very media-conscious."

"She won't want to be seen to be too sympathetic toward them, so she will keep her distance. I don't think she could object to Harry privately supporting them, but they will be on very different pages," he said.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be tempted to write an explosive memoir following his scandals.

Daily Express reported that the former prince doesn't want to "pull a Harry," but he might change his mind for the right price.

"We're looking at maybe £25 million [$33 million USD]. With the right ghost-writer asking him the right questions, we could see the history of the House of Windsor completely rewritten with what he knows. He's a time-bomb waiting to explode," a literary agent told Daily Mail.

"Obviously, everyone wants the inside track on his time with [Jeffrey] Epstein… in those circumstances, he might be prepared to talk, in broad terms, about his involvement with Epstein, simply to get his side of the story across," the source added.

Mountbatten-Windsor, who was friends with Epstein, could create a legal issue for himself if he chooses to write a book.

"But he has to be careful his words don't incriminate him. The Democrats in the U.S. Congress have asked Andrew to appear before them, and now he no longer has royal immunity, he'd have to tread very, very carefully," the insider warned. "But he must be dying to say something in order to salvage his professional reputation."

Mountbatten-Windsor failed to respond to the Congressional House Oversight Committee's request to speak on his relationship with the disgraced financier.

"Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's silence in the face of the Oversight Democrat's demand for testimony speaks volumes," a statement released on behalf of Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam read.

Mountbatten-Windsor might not be the only York considering a memoir, as Sarah Ferguson is rumored to be working on an autobiography. Businesses cut ties with the ex-duchess after it was revealed she called Epstein a "supreme friend."

"For the first time in a good while, she is now seriously worried about how on earth she's going to maintain her lifestyle," a source told Daily Express. "She's too toxic to touch for every single brand and charity she'd previously worked with, and even the lavish freebies she used to be gifted have stopped."

"With no substantial income coming in, Sarah is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry and is willing to pen a tell-all memoir about her time with Andrew and how she was treated by the royal family after their split," the insider continued.

Ferguson was extremely loyal to Mountbatten-Windsor, but she could distance herself publicly from her ex-husband after months of scrutiny.

"She has a lot of diaries and evidence of the backstabbing, scandals and cover-ups," the source shared. "For the right amount of money, she is willing to spill everything, but she's hoping to make enough money that it will give her a nice little nest egg for the rest of her life. She wants somewhere in the region of £10million [$13 million USD] and is actively open to offers."

Willow trees planted by Prince William for a reforestation project were intentionally poisoned, police revealed.

A spokesperson for the South West Peatland Partnership called the incident "an attack on those that live, work, enjoy and rely on these landscapes."

The trees were located in the Forest of Dartmoor — land William inherited. The greenery was planted to prevent the erosion of the forest's peaty soils and reduce flood risk.

Guy Shrubsole, who wrote The Lost Rainforests of Britain, called the attack an "outrageous act of sabotage, one which points a dagger at the heart of efforts to restore nature in this part of the country."

Head of communities and nature Emma Magee assured civilians that the organization is still prioritizing the land.

"We are committed to working with our partners to secure a better future for Dartmoor, and this recent action does not represent the collective commitment of Dartmoor's community to achieve this," Magee said. "Woodland expansion alongside peatland restoration is central to a restored landscape across Dartmoor."

Under the Duchy of Cornwall, William and the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery Project (CDLR) launched their afforestation project. The group hoped to "create a resilient environment" and accommodate Dartmoor's communities and their needs.

During the Prince of Wales' trip to the site, he said to "keep Dartmoor special, we must respond to the twin challenges of global warming and the requirement to restore nature."

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Over the years, William has used his royal status to advocate for environmentalism. According to the Royal Foundation, William's Earthshot Prize is the "most prestigious" global environmental award "in history."

"Now, more than ever, is the time to fix the planet," William said before heading to Brazil for the fifth Earthshot Prize, which incentivizes repairing and protecting the planet.

"I sat under this oak tree five years ago, soon after we launched The Earthshot Prize. The planet, the only home we have, needed our help, as scientists made it clear that we had to make significant changes by 2030," William said in a promotional video.

"Back then, a decade felt a long time. George was seven, Charlotte five and Louis two; the thought of them in 2030 felt a lifetime away," he continued. "But today, as we stand halfway through this critical decade, 2030 feels very real. The Earthshot Prize was founded because this decade matters," he continues. "2030 is a threshold by which future generations will judge us; it is the point at which our actions, or lack of them, will have shaped forever the trajectory of our planet."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is allegedly annoyed about leaving Royal Lodge.

According to a report, the former Duke of York is seeking a hefty payout from The Firm after King Charles III evicted him from his longtime home over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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Mountbatten-Windsor's steep demands

Rob Shuter claimed in his ShuterScoop Substack that Mountbatten-Windsor wants $99,016,125.00 to "even think about moving out" of Royal Lodge.

"Andrew is also insisting on a giant six or seven-bedroom house on the Sandringham Estate as his 'replacement,'" the royal commentator alleged. "And not just a house — he wants the whole package. A cook, a gardener, a housekeeper, a driver. Basically, a full-time staff to keep his life running exactly the way it runs at Royal Lodge. And of course, police protection too."

Charles' dilemma

Unfortunately for the leader of England, getting his younger brother to move won't be easy, as Mountbatten-Windsor signed a $9,883,720.93 lease for 75 years for the estate and pays "peppercorn rent."

"It has legal force. Meaning King Charles can't just toss him out like yesterday's scones," Shuter wrote. "And trust me, the value of that property is insane. On the open market, that thirty-room mansion on 90 acres would go for more than $1,321,265.77 a year. So, you can see why the buyout is such a mess."

Mountbatten-Windsor's humiliation

After being stripped of his royal titles and forced out of his mansion, the 65-year-old is licking his wounds over the fallout from misconduct allegations and his ties to the late criminal.

"I'm sure he's feeling humiliated and, by all accounts, angry. You have to remember that he has consistently protested his innocence," royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror.

"Therefore, he feels wronged. But the reality is he now has just a few weeks left before he has to leave Royal Lodge, which has been his home for more than 20 years," she added. "One thing he could do to show some remorse (for, at the very least, his bad judgment in befriending Epstein) is to cooperate with the Congressional committee and tell them what he saw and what he knows. At the moment, though, that seems unlikely."

Mountbatten-Windsor's downfall

Not only did the father of two have his HRH titles revoked, but he also lost his Knight of the Order of the Garter and his Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order honors. Queen Elizabeth II previously removed his military and charity patronages in 2022.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew," the palace said in a late October statement.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," the statement continued. "His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," they concluded.

An ex-royal staffer is spilling all about Christmas with Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty's former chef Darren McGrady revealed the cheap holiday gift she and Prince Philip gave their employees at Sandringham every year for their hard work.

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Elizabeth and Philip's supermarket gift

"You'd be presented with a Christmas pudding, which was a Tesco's Christmas pudding," McGrady told Smooth Spins Casino. "All the staff got one, along with a card from the Queen and Prince Philip. That went on for quite a few years."

Showing appreciation

Despite the ordinary gifts given on the holiday, the late leader of England and her husband ensured that the people who worked for them year-round felt appreciated.

"All the staff got a gift from the Queen. It started off that we would choose something from a catalog that the housekeeping had. They were all purchased at 50 percent off, so you were getting something for half price, whatever you chose," McGrady said.

"The Queen and Prince Philip, before they went off to Sandringham, would meet at Buckingham Palace with all of the staff and present their individual gift to them. They would also do the same at Windsor Castle a few days before, then the same when they arrived at Sandringham," he continued. "Every member of staff would get a gift and you could choose different things. You could collect china by having a different piece every year, the same with cutlery. It was only up to a certain amount."

What is Christmas like at Sandringham?

Having prepared numerous Christmas meals for the royal family, McGrady revealed that there are no dietary modifications or alternative foods while dining with Elizabeth.

"Absolutely not! That goes for every meal that you ate with the Queen. You're dining with Her Majesty the monarch, so whatever she chooses, that's what you eat," the cook said when asked about special requests.

"If you don't like that, you get a McDonald's on the way home! You wouldn't ask for a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free menu or anything like that. When the Queen was there, it was all very traditional," he added.

Inside the annual gathering

According to McGrady, the annual gathering would unfold in a specific way. "Christmas Day was very traditional for the royals. The men would come downstairs and have breakfast, then the ladies would actually have breakfast trays in their room. For the men, it was a full English breakfast so sausage, egg, bacon and mushrooms," he said.

"When Prince Philip was there, things like kidney would be on the menu too. He loved all the offal and everything. They were some of his favorites on the menu. For the ladies, it would be a much lighter breakfast, so lots of fruit," McGrady explained.

"They would then go off to church and come back for Christmas lunch, which we'd start off with some canapés. They didn't have a salad course, which they usually do. With this, it was straight into the roast turkey because it's quite heavy. It was the traditional roast turkey, sometimes with cheshunt stuffing," he continued. "Then the traditional side dishes too, the brussel sprouts, roast parsnips, roast potatoes and mashed potatoes, then the turkey gravy. They would also have cranberry sauce served with the dinner."

The traditional public relations industry operates on established norms where relationships and monthly retainers have long been standard practice. Then came AJ Ignacio, who decided to challenge conventional models with a different approach: offering guarantees for PR work.

Baden Bower emerged from Australia four years ago with an approach that diverged from industry standards. According to the company, Ignacio decided to offer money-back guarantees for media placements. While many agencies continued charging clients monthly retainers, Baden Bower states that its team offered to work with clients on publishing timelines with refund options.

The company reports that it now serves clients across multiple countries spanning five continents.

A Different Approach

Traditional PR agencies often operate in a system where outcomes aren't always directly tied to fees. According to Baden Bower, the company changed this model by accepting accountability for results. Baden Bower describes its approach as focusing on placements in established publications, supported by technology that assists with media targeting.

The company's approach aims to address credibility challenges that can affect business growth. Research shows a significant percentage of buyers investigate companies online before purchasing, yet many businesses struggle to build authority. This challenge is particularly acute for PR firms for startups, which often need to demonstrate measurable impact quickly to attract investors and customers. According to Baden Bower, the company helps businesses build visibility and credibility by securing media coverage that may contribute to website engagement and customer acquisition efforts.

Baden Bower states that its timeline differs from traditional competitors who may require extended periods for pitching cycles. The company reports offering expedited processes through its network of media outlets. According to Baden Bower, this approach stems from data-driven content optimization rather than solely relationship-dependent processes.

Global Expansion Through Digital Infrastructure

Baden Bower's international expansion reflects a technology-oriented approach to growth. The company reports establishing operations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East while maintaining client service through staff located across time zones. According to Baden Bower, this reach enables culturally relevant storytelling that resonates with local media outlets and audiences.

The company has contributed content to various global publications, reflecting its presence in the PR sector.

Baden Bower states that its technology focus differentiates it from competitors who rely primarily on personal relationships and editorial connections. According to the company, investment in technology for media placement optimization offers potential advantages in visibility over agencies that depend predominantly on individual journalist relationships. Baden Bower says this technological foundation supports its growth while maintaining quality control across global operations.

Shifting Industry Dynamics

Baden Bower's development represents more than business growth; it signals a potential shift toward accountability in professional services. The company's pricing model, according to Baden Bower, contrasts with traditional retainer fees that may not guarantee specific outcomes.

The PR industry now faces questions about maintaining established practices or adopting results-oriented models that some clients seek. Baden Bower's journey from startup to internationally operating firm suggests that performance-based models may influence traditional service industry approaches. According to the company, when clients can choose between different pricing structures, the value proposition becomes an important consideration.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should savor the time they have with their royal titles.

After Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his titles over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, biographer Tom Bower thinks the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be concerned they're next.

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Harry and Meghan's realization

The monarchy set a new precedent with the Duke of York — just one signal that King Charles III and his successor, Prince William, are enacting change within The Firm.

"For Harry, it was an unbelievable shock that the king could strip Andrew of his titles — including prince — and it changes everything," Bower told The Mirror.

"He must really fear that William will strip him, Meghan and [their two] children of their titles when he succeeds to the throne," he continued.

"They are on borrowed time and vulnerable now, because I don't think there is anything they can do to reverse the hurt they have caused Kate [Middleton] and William, and William is still furious," he added.

Harry and Meghan could spill more royal secrets

With a downgraded Netflix deal and Meghan's As Ever brand struggling to find an audience, the couple might need to spill more royal secrets to make money.

"The Sussexes have a real problem because Meghan isn't making any serious money. Nor is Harry really, so the threat is they'll do something foolish and damaging to the royal family," Bower said.

"They are uncontrolled, so the danger lies in Meghan maybe writing her own memoir, or doing another interview like Oprah Winfrey," Bower continued, referencing the couple's headline-making 2021 sit-down with the media mogul. "The legacy of that interview cannot be overestimated, and Meghan's accusations that the royal family is racist still echo. Who knows what else she might say in the future?"

Meghan using her title

The Spare author and the Suits actress allegedly agreed to refrain from using their royal titles — His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness — when they retired from The Firm, but Meghan reportedly continues to refer to herself as "HRH The Duchess of Sussex."

"[The title is] a great trading asset, and she uses it ruthlessly and with impunity," Bower said.

"It's nothing to do with the royal family — she couldn't care two hoots about that," he continued. "She just uses it to give herself the status she craves."

When will Harry and Meghan lose their titles?

The mother of two continues to profit off her ties to the royal family, so the prospect of losing her title is likely deeply concerning for her.

"I don't think Meghan realized until Harry told her that his uncle had lost his title, that that is a reality," Bower said. "I don't think she, or any of us, realized they could be so ruthless. I can only imagine she's now sitting there thinking, 'What are we going to do?' Because without the titles, who is she? But she is betraying the royal family every time she uses the title."

"With the Sussexes' titles, it's a rock and a hard place for the royal family. The only way to undermine Meghan's status, although it would look like sour grapes, is to take away her title," he continued.

"It won't happen during Charles's lifetime," he added. "He will only act on William's pressure and there's no reason ostensibly at the moment to strip them of their titles — they haven't done anything embarrassing, other than using it to trade on. They would have to be very careful about how they do it, but I think it is inevitable."

Meghan Markle's first interaction with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was one for the books.

In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry recounts the awkward moment when his now-wife encountered the former Duke of York for the first time.

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What did Meghan think?

In 2016, Harry introduced Meghan to his extended family during a lunch at Royal Lodge with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and several other members of The Firm including Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie.

But the Suits star apparently confused Mountbatten-Windsor for a member of the royal staff.

"After a moment, Meg asked me something about the queen's assistant," the father of two wrote, adding that Meghan referred to Mountbatten-Windsor as "that man holding the purse" and "that man who walked her to the door."

"She definitely hadn't Googled us," the Duke of Sussex joked of his future wife.

Mountbatten-Windsor loses his titles

King Charles III officially removed his younger brother's titles over Mountbatten-Windsor's friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations of misconduct against them both.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew," the palace said in a late October statement.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," the statement continued. "His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement concluded.

Could Meghan and Harry be next?

According to royal biographer Tom Bower, Harry and Meghan could suffer the same fate as his estranged uncle when Prince William becomes king.

"For Harry, it was an unbelievable shock that the king could strip Andrew of his titles — including prince — and it changes everything," Bower told The Mirror.

"He must really fear that William will strip him, Meghan and [their two] children of their titles when he succeeds to the throne," he added.

Prince William's revenge?

The Princes of Wales might not be forgiving to the Sussexes when he becomes king.

"They are on borrowed time and vulnerable now," Bower said.

"I don't think there is anything they can do to reverse the hurt they have caused Kate [Middleton] and William, and William is still furious," he continued.

"The Sussexes have a real problem because Meghan isn't making any serious money and nor is Harry really, so the threat is they'll do something foolish and damaging to the royal family," he added