Blistering Meghan Markle and Prince Harry take in 15-word statement

It was a searing quote for a searing week. "The problem is that Prince Harry is neither bright nor strong... and Meghan is both." Scorchio. A blistering take on Megxit in 15 dust-dry words. They're attributed to one of the late Queen's lifelong confidantes, Lady Elizabeth Anson, who was close to Her Majesty for decades.

Speaking in 2018-19 to the widely respected royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, Lady Anson (who died a year later) was deeply revealing about what Queen Elizabeth's inner circle really thought of Harry and Meghan as a couple. "We hope, but don't quite think, that (Meghan) is in love... we think she engineered it all."

The Queen, she claimed, feared Harry was "besotted and weak" and was being manipulated by his then bride-to-be.

In another blunt conversation, Lady Anson said: "I don't trust Meghan an inch... Meghan could turn into nothing but trouble."

Neither the Palace nor the Sussexes have commented on the remarks, released this week on Sally's Royal Extra feature on publishing platform Substack. But then, they don't really need to, do they?

We first met Cheryl Tweedy way back in 2002, when Girls Aloud first burst onto the pop scene with their smash-hit debut single, Sound Of The Underground.

They performed it live on our C4 teatime show just in time for Christmas, and over post-programme drinks later we chatted to the still-excited, pumped-up girls.

However, it's Cheryl that stands out in my memory: as bright as a button, articulate, and bursting with personality. "That girl's going places," I told Richard on the way home.

And now, after a five-year absence from our screens, she's back, reported to be lined up as a mentor on ITV's talent showcase The Voice. Girl aloud again.