Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn’t move to the US alone; they brought their son, Prince Archie, with them when they first flew to Canada. In 2021, they moved into their multimillion-dollar mansion in Montecito, California, and welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet.
Even though Archie and Lilibet are still very young, they are often talked about in the news. Lilibet recently turned three, but no members of the Royal Family attended her birthday party. People are wondering what kind of relationship Archie and Lilibet will have with their UK-based cousins – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. There’s a rumor that King Charles wants to be more involved in the lives of Harry and Meghan’s children.
This fall, Archie is starting kindergarten, and Lilibet is getting ready for preschool. Harry and Meghan have been looking at schools for them, but one US journalist called them “frauds” because of this.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the US to have a more private life, away from the paparazzi and the pressures of being part of the royal family. It’s said they knew just days after their wedding that they didn’t want to stay in the royal family for long.
When Archie was born in 2019, they had already started trying to become more private. They didn’t want to be used as “puppets” by the royal family for fans and the media around the world.
Harry & Meghan ‘tricked” reports when Archie was born
In her book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown, royal expert Katie Nicholl said that Harry was “almost morbidly obsessed” with keeping Archie’s birth a secret, which is very different from the usual way royal babies are born.
Despite many fans and the public wanting to know about the baby, Harry and Meghan’s wish for privacy was ignored and seen as part of the “unwritten contract between the royals and the public.”
Rebecca English, the royal editor of the Daily Mail, mentioned that things were so tense behind the scenes that some officials were reduced to tears out of frustration and despair.
Usually, when a royal baby is born, the parents pose for photos on the hospital steps and answer a few questions before going back to their private life. But according to Katie Nicholl, Harry and Meghan wanted to handle Archie’s birth differently. Instead of openly facing the media, they tricked reporters and photographers.
Prince William, Prince Harry, and William’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were all born at St Mary’s Hospital, where their first baby photos were taken. However, Meghan’s doctor worked at Portland Hospital, so it made sense for her to have Archie there instead.
Prince Archie & Princess Lilibet
An added bonus for Harry and Meghan was that the entrance at Portland Hospital made taking photos impossible due to safety concerns.
“Harry had always enjoyed outsmarting the media,” wrote Katie Nicholl in The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown. She added that Harry and Meghan were thrilled to have their son at Portland Hospital in London before the palace press office even confirmed Meghan was in labor.
Lilibet’s birth was different. She was born in June 2021 in California, where no paparazzi got close. However, it wasn’t long before Harry and Meghan brought their kids back into the public eye.
Two years after Lilibet’s birth, Harry and Meghan announced that they had given their children the titles of prince and princess. While they claim these titles are their children’s birthright, not everyone agreed it was a good idea. Royal expert Angela Levin believes it could have a negative impact on Archie and Lilibet’s futures.
In an article for Sky, Angela Levin said that Lilibet now has a heavy burden because of her parents’ decision.
“It will take a long time for little Lilibet to understand the burden her parents have put on her,” Levin said.
She added that by giving their daughter an official royal title, Harry and Meghan have now “attached her to the British Royal Family,” which they have criticized for many years.
“Why would you want your daughter to go through such trouble?” Levin asked, saying that Lilibet’s daily life will be more difficult because she has the title of princess.
King Charles ‘desperate’ to meet Archie & Lilibet
“Little girls love pretending to be princesses at parties, but if Lilibet is the only real princess in her class, it could cause jealousy that could be avoided,” the royal expert said.
Archie and Lilibet are growing up quickly. Archie turned 5 in May, and Lilibet turned 3 a little over a week ago. On June 5, Lilibet had a birthday party, but no members of her royal family attended. Princess Eugenie is the only royal who has visited Harry, Meghan, and their children in California.
Although King Charles’s relationship with Harry and Meghan is strained, he is reportedly “heartbroken” about not having a relationship with Archie and Lilibet. The King has only met Archie five times and Lilibet once.
Speaking with the Mirror, royal expert Ingrid Seward said Charles’s cancer diagnosis has made his relationship with Archie and Lilibet even more poignant, as he realizes he “won’t be around forever.”
“Family has always been important to the King. He remembers his own fragmented childhood because his parents were always busy with their duties. It is a great sadness to him that he doesn’t see more of Archie and Lilibet,” Seward explained.
“That’s why he will never cut ties with Harry. He doesn’t want to only see his son’s children on FaceTime. He wants to know them and be part of their lives while they are still young enough to learn from him. His cancer diagnosis has made this even more important to him because he knows he won’t be around forever.”
Meghan revealed real reason why Archie will never attend a UK school
Only time will tell what Harry and Meghan’s children will do when they grow up. They can choose any path they want, including working as royals. However, their parents likely plan for them to attend some of the best and most expensive schools in the world.
Their UK relatives have gone to famous schools like Gordonstoun in Scotland and Eton in England. But it’s said that Harry and Meghan wouldn’t let their son go to school in the UK.
In a 2022 article for The Cut, journalist Allison Davis shared a conversation she had with Meghan Markle. Meghan said she didn’t want her son Archie to attend school in the UK because of safety concerns.
Meghan explained that if Archie went to school in the UK, she would never be able to pick him up or drop him off without a crowd of photographers taking pictures. She told Allison, “Sorry, I have a problem with that. It doesn’t mean I’m obsessed with privacy. It means I’m a strong and good parent protecting my child.”
Archie and Lilibet have a lot of time before they start high school or college. For now, they will probably go to a school near their home in Montecito, California, where they live.
Harry and Meghan “inspecting” expensive private school for Archie & Lilibet
One journalist says that Harry and Meghan have started looking at schools in their area, but they’re getting a lot of criticism for their choices.
Richard Mineards from the Montecito Journal told the Mirror that Harry and Meghan checked out a local private school, which is very expensive.
“The couple was seen visiting the school campus last week, getting closer to making a decision,” Mineards said.
He added, “In our area, school fees range from $50,000 to $60,000 or more for older grades, and most students go on to four-year colleges.”
It’s assumed that Harry and Meghan can afford to send their children to private schools. However, not everyone is happy about Harry looking at such an expensive school.
US journalist Lee Cohen has criticized the royal couple, calling them “frauds.” In an interview with GB News, he said it’s “infuriating” that the Sussexes are planning to enroll their kids in an “outrageously expensive” school, especially since they often talk about equality.
Lee Cohen said, “It’s extremely frustrating to hear that Harry and Meghan, who claim to be champions of equality and social justice, are thinking about sending their children to an exclusive, very expensive school.”
Harry & Meghan branded “frauds”
Lee Cohen continued, “Their supposed commitment to equality and social justice is just a show. If they’re willing to send their kids to such an elite, extremely expensive school, they’re not really supporting equality. They’re paying tens of thousands of dollars a year for their children’s education, while many families can’t even afford basic needs.”
Cohen wrapped up by accusing Harry and Meghan of maintaining the “systems of privilege” they claim to fight against.
“Sending their kids to such a prestigious school just shows how fake their claims are. They’re upholding the very privilege they say they’re trying to challenge,” Cohen told GB News.
Inside Tanya Roberts’ shocking handwritten will
Tanya Roberts was one of the sexiest and funniest actresses of her time, dazzling audiences with her stunning beauty and talent in That ’70s Show and Charlie’s Angels.
Tragically, her unexpected passing was marked by confusion, as her boyfriend mistakenly announced her death , adding a bizarre twist to the loss of this vibrant star.
Before we dive into the bizarre circumstances surrounding Tanya Roberts’ passing, let’s take a moment to celebrate her incredible contributions to the screen.
In a world where her legacy seems somewhat overlooked today, a closer look at her impressive career reveals just how unforgettable she truly was. And I’m sure she created cherished memories for many of you reading this.
Running away from home
Born Victoria Leigh Blum in 1949, Tanya Roberts grew up in the gritty Bronx of New York City. The little girl with ice-blue eyes lived in a poor old house with her mother and big sisters. Despite her modest life, Roberts had big dreams of wearing beautiful clothes, riding horses, living in a mansion, and shopping in limousines. Most of all, she wanted to be a star in Hollywood.
At just 15 years old, she took a bold step and ran away to chase her dreams. This was after her family had moved to Toronto, where a tragic event would lead Roberts to distance herself from them. One day, shortly after her father tragically passed away, Tanya felt the walls closing in on her.
In that moment, she decided to leave home. After a heated argument with her mother, Roberts packed her bags and moved to a place in the Village, a neighborhood in Toronto. She supported herself by selling dance lessons to ”old guys”, who lusted after her body.
It wasn’t long before she met another boy, Colin, who had also dropped out of school. She fell head over heels for him.
“It just happened. A stupid, spontaneous thing. Colin was two years older than me, a Canadian, a dropout, doing nothing. It was a love affair that turned into hatred. We never were friends. We didn’t get along at all. But I loved him, you know. I was butterflies. I’d look at him and gasp, ‘Oh my God!’ I responded to the palpitations of the heart.”
Married in secret
The couple was together for seven months and married in secret. They moved to New York together, but then Colin’s mother intervened, annulling the marriage. Roberts and Colin were far too young and hadn’t received their parents’ consent.
Roberts never told her mother about the marriage; she didn’t want to shock her. Soon after, the relationship with Colin ended, but another man entered Roberts’s life— one who would change her whole life.
As Tanya Roberts pursued her acting dreams in New York, she met Barry Roberts while waiting in line for a movie. He was a truck driver earning $30 a week, and he quickly became her next great love.
It was actually Tanya who proposed to Barry in a subway station, and they quickly tied the knot in 1973. Her husband had originally set his sights on becoming a psychologist but soon dropped out of his studies to write scripts for various TV networks.
The couple moved to Hollywood, determined to lead as normal a life as possible.
”You know you’ve got the right guy when you can sit at home with him Saturday night, just you and him and pizza,” Tanya shared in 1980.
For most of their lives, Tanya and Barry lived peacefully and happily, tucked away in the serene and private surroundings of their secluded home in the Hollywood Hills.
“Living here is like being in the country, but civilization isn’t far away when I need it,” Tanya exclusively shared with Closer Weekly in 2015. “It’s the house I’d always dreamed of.”
Spell on Charlie’s Angels
Tanya Roberts’ upbringing on the streets of Bronx served her well when she landed the role of the streetwise Julie Roberts in Charlie’s Angels. Before that, she had already made a name for herself as a model in television ads and took on serious roles in off-Broadway productions like Picnic and Antigone.
However, it was in the summer of 1980 that the world truly took notice of her.
Tanya was chosen from over 2,000 candidates to replace Shelley Hack in the beloved detective series Charlie’s Angels, which was struggling to attract viewers.
The producers hoped that the vibrant 26-year-old would inject new life into the show alongside her co-stars, Jaclyn Smith, the last original ‘Angel,’ and Cheryl Ladd. With her charisma and talent, Tanya was determined to help turn the series around.
”I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm on the set. We are a real team. It’s very important for us to get along because it shows in our work. I think it’s hard do continually make a classy show every week for five years with three girls. It’s not Shakespeare but I think the public looks forward to seeing something new every week,” Roberts told The Daily Herald-Tribune in 1981.
Unfortunately, despite her efforts, Roberts — who described herself as a ‘workaholic’— couldn’t revive the series, and Charlie’s Angels was canceled in 1981.
However, her talent and dedication led to new opportunities in her career.
Nominated for Golden Raspberry Award
After Charlie’s Angels, Robert’s starred in a string of films that gained cult status, including The Beastmaster (1982), Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (1984), Body Slam (1987), and Night Eyes (1990).
Most people, however, associate her with her iconic roles as Stacey Sutton in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill and as Midge Pinciotti on That ’70s Show, where she captivated audiences from 1998 to 2004.
In A View to a Kill, Tanya Roberts starred alongside Roger Moore, and the film became a massive box office success. However, critics weren’t entirely convinced; in retrospect, Moore himself expressed disappointment, stating that it was his worst Bond film due to its excessive blood and violence.
At 57, the Hollywood legend faced criticism for being too old for the role, and he even quipped about the age gap, revealing that he was mortified to discover he was older than Roberts’ mother. In a December 2007 interview, he humorously remarked, ”I was only about four hundred years too old for the part.”
Tanya, too, faced her share of criticism after her Bond debut. Interestingly, she wasn’t the original choice for the role. Producers had initially hoped to cast Priscilla Presley, but she was tied up with her contract for Dallas. They even considered former Bond girl Barbara Bach before ultimately selecting Tanya Roberts. Despite her efforts, she was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress, although she lost the dubious honor to Linda Blair, who appeared in Night Patrol.
Losing her husband
For the younger generation, many recognize Tanya Roberts from her role as Midge Pinciotti on the beloved sitcom That ’70s Show. She was a cherished presence on the show but had to leave after the third season.
The reason? Her husband, Barry, had become seriously ill, and she wanted to be there for him. Tragically, Barry died at the age of 60 after a long four-and-a-half-year battle with encephalitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the brain tissue, leading to personality changes, seizures, and weakness.
Tanya and Barry stood by each other from their marriage in 1973 until his passing in 2006. The couple never had any children.
Mysterious death
After the heartbreaking loss of her husband Barry in 2006, Tanya Roberts found love again with Lance O’Brien. The two met while working for Tahiti Village, a Las Vegas resort — Tanya as a spokesmodel. They spent 18 years together, seemingly inseparable, but their world took a tragic turn in December 2020.
At 71, Tanya was still vibrant and full of life, known for her daily hikes up the Hollywood Hills. Described as ”healthy as a horse,” there was no indication of any serious health issues. However, just before Christmas, Tanya began experiencing lower intestinal pain and difficulty breathing.
These symptoms surfaced during one of her hikes, and though she initially thought it might be COVID-19. Early the next morning, she collapsed, unable to get up, and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
Doctors determined Tanya had developed a severe urinary tract infection that had progressed to sepsis. The infection quickly spread to her liver, kidneys, and gallbladder, ultimately leading to multi-organ failure.
Tubes up her nose
“She was talking when I called 911. Next thing I know, she’s in intensive care on oxygen and she’s extremely sick,” O’Brien shared with the Daily Mail.
When O’Brien was finally allowed to see her, Tanya was barely conscious, kept alive by a ventilator. The iconic actress, who had once graced screens as a glamorous star, could only blink in response to her partner’s presence.
”When she saw me and I was there, I saw her eyes open,” he said. “I felt good. I said, ‘Hey, her eyes are opening. Her eyes are opening.’ They told me that’s just a reflex,” O’Brien told Inside Edition.
Sadly, Tanya’s final days were both chaotic and heartbreaking.
O’Brien expressed his frustration with the hospital’s handling of Tanya’s care, stating, “She had tubes up her nose and throat, and they kept calling her Victoria —she hasn’t been called that since she was a teenager. It was so busy, I can’t begin to tell you what an awful, terrible experience it was.”
“I think COVID played a big part in it,” O’Brien added. “If you called the hospital, it sounded like something out of [sitcom] M.A.S.H.”
Cause of death
Tanya’s condition worsened, and on January 3, 2021, she was taken off life support. The beloved star passed away on January 4.
However, the aftermath of her death was even more chaotic. The news of Tanya’s passing was initially announced prematurely by her publicist, leading to confusion.
In a bizarre twist, O’Brien learned she was still alive during a live interview with Inside Edition.
“Now, you’re telling me she’s alive?” O’Brien exclaimed, answering a phone call from the hospital mid-interview. Crying, he added, “The hospital is telling me she is alive. They are calling me from the ICU team.”
Eventually, all the confusion cleared up, and it became evident that Tanya Roberts had indeed passed away. However, the mix-ups didn’t stop there – several sources incorrectly reported her age as 65 at the time of her death. Despite the fact that she was actually 71, some outlets still haven’t corrected this mistake, even three years later.
Her last will
The handwritten note left behind by Tanya Roberts offered a hauntingly intimate and bittersweet glimpse into her final thoughts. According to Fox News, Roberts left her entire estate, valued at over $3 million, to her longtime partner, Lance O’Brien. She signed the note using both her Hollywood name, Tanya Roberts, and her birth name, Victoria Blum.
“I have no reason to live,” Tanya wrote, and she also made it clear that none of her estate would go to her sister, Barbara Leary, or her nephew, Zack Leary.
Instead, Roberts left everything to O’Brien, though the letter suggests their relationship may not have been as loving as it seemed to the public.
”I want to leave my house … and all its belongings to my best friend Lance O’Brien – I also leave my two dogs and my Pension Plan check to Lance O’Brien,” the actress penned, as captured in images obtained by Page Six.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the note comes when she acknowledged the disconnect in their relationship. ”I know you don’t love me but you have been a true friend & for that I’m [grateful],” she wrote. ”Have a good life & don’t blame this on yourself. I was always [too] sensitive to live in this world.”
Behind the face
Tanya Roberts’ final chapter may have been marked by sorrow and confusion, but it’s important to remember the light she brought into the world.
When you take a moment to look back at old photos of her — whether she’s on set, starring in her iconic roles, or even candid behind-the-scenes shots — a picture emerges of a woman who was not only stunningly beautiful but fiercely independent.
At just 15, she knew exactly what she wanted out of life. Becoming a Charlie’s Angel made her immortal in Hollywood’s eyes, but what really stood out was how she handled fame. While some may have expected her journey through stardom to come with heartbreak, bad roles, or failed marriages, Tanya took a different path.
She remained loyal to her husband, Barry Roberts, staying by his side through illness and even stepping away from her career to care for him. That kind of dedication and strength speaks volumes about the kind of woman she truly was.
Looking back at those early photos and moments reminds us of her grace, resilience, and the lasting impression she left on her fans and loved ones alike!
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