Royal Family

Princess Michael says she's sorry the racially insensitive brooch she wore to the Queen's lunch -- attended by Meghan Markle -- was offensive ... and we're told she vows never to wear it again.

Simon Astaire, a spokesperson for the wife of the Queen's cousin, tells TMZ ... she's "very sorry and distressed" she wore her Blackamoor brooch to the Xmas shindig. We're told it was a gift she's worn many times before, without controversy.

A source connected to Kensington Palace tells us Princess Michael was not trying to insult Meghan or any people of color. The source says she's learned her lesson, and is going to retire the brooch for good.

As we reported ... this was Meghan's first Christmas lunch hosted by the Queen. It was not Princess Michael's first controversial incident involving race. She allegedly told a group of African-American diners in a New York restaurant to "go back to the colonies" in 2004. She made things worse when she explained she views people in Africa as "adorable."

This is a fine hello for Meghan Markle ... she attended her first Christmas Lunch hosted by the Queen, and one of the Royals thought it was a good idea to wear a piece of jewelry that disparages people of color.

Princess Michael, who is married to one of the Queen's cousins, was seen arriving at the Buckingham Palace soiree wearing a Blackamoor brooch. It's an 18th Century antique that many think signifies racial conquest. It features a dark-skinned man wearing a turban ... the line of jewelry is known for its depictions of people of color in positions of servitude.

Meghan is biracial and has been outspoken about her experiences with racism. She did not sit at the same table as Princess Michael and we don't know if they exchanged words, but it's an intimate gathering.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's official engagement photos are out ... but some folks are looking right through 'em ... asking if Meg's outfit is fit for a princess.

Kensington Palace released the royal couple's professional portraits Thursday, taken by celeb fashion photog Alexi Lubomirski at Frogmore House in Windsor.

Lots of people blanched at Meghan's sheer top ... part of a $75k Ralph & Russo gown, which many called inappropriate for a Royal -- especially when sizing her up to Kate Middleton in her 2010 engagement pics with Prince William, where she was fully covered.

Meghan did end up changing into something more cozy/less revealing in another photo -- but that didn't stop the controversy from bubbling.

Queen Elizabeth can still get down with the people.

QE2 and her boo, Prince Philip, passed up the royal motor pool and opted for London's Underground ... riding out of the King's Cross station to begin their annual Christmas break at Sandringham House. We're sure no one noticed Lizzie undercover in her purple headscarf and jacket.

Why travel with the commoners? We're guessing the Queen binged season 2 of "The Crown" ... where her connection with her subjects is a big plot line. Apparently, Philip isn't a Netflix guy. He's busy boning up on Michelangelo.

Well-rounded power couple. Take that, Cardi B and Offset!

Meghan Markle's clothing choices for the engagement photos with Prince Harry scream one thing ... "Peace out, America. I'm a princess now, bitches!"

According to the palace, that gown she's draped in for those engagement pics with Prince Harry was made by British couture house, Ralph & Russo. It's from their fall 2016 line -- black tulle gown, embroidered gold feather thread work .. the works -- and costs about £56,000.

That's about $75k in this country, where Meghan used to live.

Her white sweater is also British -- cashmere by Victoria Beckham for £690 ... $920 to us, the forgotten people.

Prince Harry flies a helicopter, so it should be no surprise he was behind the wheel driving Meghan Markle to Buckingham Palace, but still ... where's the butler?

Megs rode shotgun Wednesday as they headed off to Queen Elizabeth's pre-Christmas luncheon. Not to be outdone, big bro Prince William -- who also flies a mean bird -- insisted on playing chauffeur for Kate Middleton.

We get it, the Princes are totally down-to-earth kinda guys ... but can't QE2 hook 'em up with an Uber? Especially for what looks like a formal family affair.

Just sayin' ...

Meghan Markle could be going in a way different direction than Kate Middleton for her wedding dress ... IF she goes with Israeli designer Inbal Dror.

Dror confirmed Monday she was contacted by the Royal Family about possibly dressing Meghan for the big day with Prince Harry -- and TMZ has obtained the 3 sketches she submitted.

While Kate's Alexander McQueen was more of an a-line gown, Dror's designs are all body-hugging. All 3 include long sleeves -- a tradition for royal brides. See Princess Di, Kate and even Camilla.

Most of Dror's designs go for $8k to $10k, but this is next level. Keep in mind, Kate's dress was reportedly almost $500k. It's not a done deal either -- Dror will certainly be competing with other top designers.

Meghan's got great taste, though -- Dror dressed Beyoncé for the Grammys last year, and she's also fitted Naomi Watts.

When Harry Met Barry ... Harry had to lay down the rules.

Prince Harry interviewed Prez Obama for BBC Radio 4's "Today" and before they got started ... Barack openly mocked himself for being a slow ... painstakingly ... deliberate speaker. He offered to use a British accent, if it would help -- and Harry threatened to give him "the face." Watch, you'll get it.

You can tell the Prince was very nervous -- he conducted the interview as part of a guest editorship with the BBC.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle DID not choose their wedding date for any historical significance ... that is unless they're both huge fans of the Kennedys or the Buttafuocos. Ya never know.

We did some research, and the May 19 date of the Royal nuptials has a past that could be labeled rather macabre. It's the date Amy Fisher shot and severely wounded Joey Buttafuoco's wife in 1992.

It's also the day the first person died from the bird flu, along with being the death date of T.E. Lawrence and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. And speaking of her -- May 19, 1962 is the date Marilyn Monroe famously performed a sultry version of "Happy Birthday" for JFK ... with the First Lady in attendance.

May 19 also saw an infamous beheading and the jailing of an Italian movie star. You get the picture.

One positive note: Joey Ramone was born that day.Check out more below!!!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry finally scraped together enough dough to pay their deposit and lock in a wedding date.

The palace announced Friday the couple will do the damn thing on May 19. That's one week earlier than a British tabloid had reported it would be, and means they will NOT tie the knot on a 3-day weekend. Bummer for their guests.

Nothing particularly special about the date in British royal history, anyway.

It is, however, the birth date of Malcolm X, Ho Chi Minh and Kim Zolciak. Sooo ... there's that.

The Royal family was among more than 1,000 guests who packed St. Paul's Cathedral to remember victims of the catastrophic Grenfell Tower fire.

Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince Charles took part in Thursday's hour-long national memorial in London. The remembrance comes 6 months after 71 people died in the apartment building fire ... which also left hundreds homeless.

Adele was also there clutching a white rose to honor victims -- along with Carey Mulligan and her hubby, Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford.

Prince William and Prince Harry were royal guests on the red carpet of Europe's premiere of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" ... and the force looks very strong with these 2.

The princes suited up for the London event Tuesday night and cruised past a line of Stormtroopers before being greeted by one of the film's stars -- BB-8.

The Royal bros are more than just your typical 'Star Wars' fans, too ... they actually filmed cameos for the movie last year. Word is, they play Stormtroopers who appear alongside Tom Hardy's character while guarding John Boyega's character, Finn.

So keep a lookout for a couple 'troopers who look just a tad out of place.

To say Meghan Markle is trading up is a gross understatement.

This is the place Meghan called home while filming "Suits" in Toronto. The house is perfectly nice, but it doesn't compare to her new digs, although the square footage of the cottage she and Harry will be calling home is roughly the same.

Meghan was renting and the house is now up for sale for just under $1.4 million.

Prince Harry frequently visited Meghan and stayed with her in the house. We don't know if the seller is asking for a premium given that it has tinges of royalty, but that wouldn't be wholly surprising.

There was an open house Saturday and tons of lookiloos came by. There's a sign posted warning "No photography or video."

Meghan Markle is going full Karate Kid ahead of her Royal nuptials -- because she's hired Michael Jackson's former bodyguard to learn how to defend herself ... TMZ has learend.

Our Royal sources tell us Meghan has hired celeb security adviser and trainer Matt Fiddes to teach her martial arts and self-defense -- as well as to get her in shape ahead of her wedding with Prince Harry in May.

Meghan just landed back in L.A. Wednesday to spend time with her mom ahead of the holidays -- and we're told Matt booked a last-minute flight to Hollywood this week, so the training could begin STAT.

Matt's a natural fit for Meghan. He owns one of the biggest martial arts franchises in the world -- Matt Fiddes Martial Arts -- and works with tons of celebs, including Tom Cruise.

He's also got close ties with the Royal Family -- MJ was tight with Princess Diana, and he became part of her inner circle. Plus ... he's a Brit, so he'll be geographically desirable.

We're told Meghan's endgame is not about fitness -- sources close to Matt tell us Meghan hired him specifically to learn self-defense. Sounds like she's supplementing her hostage training.

Hi-ya!

Meghan Markle is about to get a crash course on being a royal -- from knowing the rules of curtsying to handling herself at State events -- and we've learned her teacher is her fiance, Harry.

Meghan has a million things to learn, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl. Just a few examples, she has to know the curtsy rules ... she has to bend for the Queen, Kate, Beatrice, Eugenie and others. She needs to know how to address dignitaries, and the rules of royal fashion. She needs to know how to handle herself at State dinners. She also has to learn royal etiquette at the table ... how to hold conversations, and on and on.

Harry knows the drill because he's been around it since birth, so he's the perfect mentor.

There are silly little no-no's Meghan needs to understand. We're told one thing that she'll have to lose is her love of selfies with fans. It's just not done.

Diana ran afoul of the rules early on when she wore a revealing black gown for an event with Princess Grace. In royal-dom, all black outfits are reserved for funerals and mourning.

And get this ... we're told Harry started giving Meghan royal homework months ago, which means he knew she was a keeper.

We're guessing Meghan will have a few books on her nightstand, like Katie Nicholl's upcoming book, "Harry: Love, Life, Loss."

It's a learning process for sure, but she has to have everything down pat by May 26 ... when she and Harry get hitched.

Meghan Markle said last Friday, "We're not allowed to do selfies" ... saying it's a Royal thing, but we did some checking and looks like she needs to update her Royal etiquette pamphlet.

Turns out her fiance, Prince Harry, is in the selfie game, so we're not sure why Meghan is so camera shy.

Harry's not alone ... Kate Middleton also got in the act, and even the Queen mugged for a shot, but it looks like she's kind of in the dark ... it's a technology thing.

As we reported, Harry is going to teach Meghan the Royal ropes, but scratch the selfie thing from the list of no-nos.