Colin Cowie, who was Vogue’s top wedding planner and caterer in 2018, was reportedly recommended by the chat show host following her explosive interview with Meghan and Prince Harry. He has put on parties for several high-profile stars, including Tom Cruise and Kim Kardashian. However, the Duchess of Sussex's birthday on Wednesday is set to be a low-key affair.

       A source told The Mirror: "Meghan wants a small gathering. About 65 people are invited, her closest friends and family.

       "Colin was recommended to her by Oprah who always puts on fabulous parties."

       The celebrations will reportedly be held in the grounds of Meghan's mansion in California, following Covid rules after the state eased the majority of its lockdown measures nearly two months ago.

       It is also believed her husband Prince Harry has ordered a birthday cake from Posies & Sugar, which is located in nearby Santa Barbara.

       Those attending the celebrations will reportedly dine out on "grazing tables" made up of locally sourced food and wine.

       In a recent Instagram post, Mr Cowie wrote: "The equation for the gold standard of service isn’t 1+1=2. It’s 1+1=3.

       "What can you do or offer to stay ahead of the curve?

       "What can you do to make your product and customer service better than anyone else’s? I ask myself those questions every day."

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       12.15pm update: Meghan Markle has 'guts and self-belief' to be US President and could run within 10 years

       Meghan Markle has the "guts and self belief" to be President of the US and could run for America's top job within the next ten years, a biographer has claimed.

       Not content with having conquered the Royal Family, the Duchess now appears to have her eyes firmly set on scaling the political heights of Washington.

       Tom Bower, who is working on a biography about Meghan, believes the prospect of a President Markle is realistic.

       Writing in The Sun, he points out that California has a tradition of electing Hollywood actors to political office.

       The most famous of those was Ronald Reagan, who served two terms as Governor of California, before eventually being propelled to the White House.

       Mr Bower argues that the Duchess of Sussex could use California as a similar launchpad for her political ambitions.

       "With the support of Democrat godfathers the Clintons and the Obamas, Meghan should have little difficulty getting -nominated as one of the state’s 40 Congressmen sent to Washington," he writes.

       "If Californians flock to her -Crusade for Goodness, then after two terms — just four years — she can establish her political roots.

       "After that, fate would take over."

       11am update: Prince Harry’s memoir plans dismantled by expert - ‘Do we need a running commentary?’

       Prince Harry's memoir plans have been dismantled by a royal expert, who asked: "Do we need a running commentary?"

       Last week, reports emerged that Harry has actually signed a four-book deal and that at least one would be released after the Queen’s death.

       However, his spokesperson refuted these claims, branding them “false and defamatory”.

       Pod Save the Queen is hosted by Ann Gripper and features Daily Mirror royal ediot Russell Myers.

       Ms Gripper argued that, if Harry has signed a multi-book deal, it is likely that each one will document a stage of his life.

       She said: “You get footballers who do their first autobiography at the age of about 22 and then they’ll do another one later in their career and then maybe they’ll go on into management or have some kind of life outside football and then they’ll do another one.

       “So saying that Prince Harry will publish a second book after the Queen has died ？ there is potentially a long period of his life, that is not necessarily an opportunistic ？ ‘right the Queen has died now, I can wash all the dirty washing that I didn't feel comfortable washing when she was alive’.

       “Maybe this is me being optimistic, sunny uplands, but I did think that this is going to be a book about a particular stage of his life, or the story so far.

       “And he is still building the next stage of his life and that potentially will be a whole other thing to think about.”

       Mr Myers quipped back: “Do we need a running commentary about it though? That’s what a lot of people will be saying.”

       9.45am update: Prince Charles could make Harry 'plain Mr Henry' in 'a stroke' when king

       Prince Charles is said to want a "slimmed-down" monarchy with fewer working royals when king.

       As sovereign he will have the power to remove Prince Harry's titles "by a stroke", a constitutional expert has explained.

       Prince Charles, 72, is thought to want to pare back the Firm when he inherits the throne from Queen Elizabeth II, 95.

       While the Queen has always maintained Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 39, remain much-loved members of her family despite royal dramas, Charles could choose to do what his mother won't and strip them of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles and HRH styles.

       What Charles will decide to do in regards to the Sussexes when he is king is a matter of speculation.

       But according to a constitutional expert, he will have the power to make his son "plain Henry," in one fell swoop.

       8.40am update: Meghan Markle 'fulfilling American Dream' after 'humbling' Royal Family

       Meghan Markle will be "rightly thrilled" of her success as she prepares to celebrate her 40th birthday, according to a royal biographer.

       Author Tom Bower believes Meghan has managed to become one of the "world's superstars" over the past few years.

       Alongside her husband Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex has successfully achieved financial independence from the Royal Family, signed off a few profitable deals and now lives in her beloved California.

       Through her success, she has also "humiliated her critics and humbled the Royal Family", according to the commentator.

       And her supporters believe Meghan is rightly pursuing the American Dream with her projects.

       Mr Bower wrote in a comment piece for the Sun: "She has humiliated her critics and humbled the Royal Family.

       "Her next steps are to conquer America, then the world.

       "Critics carp that Meghan’s megalomania has no limits.

       "Her admirers retort that she is purposely fulfilling the American Dream."

       7.50am update: Her Majesty makes light work of US tourists who asked her 'Have you ever met the Queen?'

       The Queen's quick-wittedness was on show when she was asked a confusing question by US tourists at Balmoral.

       Her Majesty, 95, was approached by an American tourist group as she enjoyed a stroll on her Aberdeenshire estate. Richard Griffin, former royal protection officer, described the chance encounter.

       Mr Griffin told The Times about how the group asked the monarch, wearing a headscarf and tweed coat, if she lived locally.

       She conceded she had a house nearby.

       The tourists then asked: “Have you ever met the Queen?”

       Pointing at the policeman, the Queen replied: “No. But he has.”

       The tourists plodded on unaware they had met the Queen herself.