Meghan halts India trip over safety fears
Shops blame slump in pound after EU vote
PRINCE Harry’s girlfriend Meghan Markle has postponed a charity trip to India over security fears.
The Suits actress, 35, who is on a romantic break with the royal in the Norwegian fjords, was due to arrive for a two-week tour later this month.
A source said: “The trip has had to be put back due to organisational considerations.
“Since Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public knowledge, her profile has risen dramatically and that brings a lot of things with it.
“It has not been rescheduled for any definite date yet but is not expected to happen now until at least March.
“Naturally, Meghan is disappointed the India trip has had to be put back but she understands the situation.
“Her life has changed dramatically since it became known she is dating Harry but she couldn’t be happier. They’re incredibly happy together.”
The India trip is being organised by children’s charity PRICES of fish, meat and poultry have soared by as much as 44 per cent in a blow to family budgets.
Steep New Year rises are blamed on sterling’s value falling after the Brexit vote, which pushed up the cost of imported food and raw materials.
Frozen fish prices are up by an average 3 per cent in high street stores – but some premium brands have increased by more than a third. Six Birds Eye World Vision, for which Meghan is a global ambassador. It will include stop-offs at a string of projects the organisation runs across the country. Speaking in October – before her romance with Harry, 32, became public – Meghan said: “In January, I’m going to India for two weeks, setting up a girls’ programme. I’m really excited about it and have been working on it for the past six months.” In February last year, the Toronto-based star travelled to Rwanda with World Vision to see for herself the importance of giving communities access to clean water. She has also previously spoken of how she taught children in the Gasabo region of Rwanda to paint with watercolours and volunteered in soup kitchens from the age of 15. She and Harry are believed to have bonded over their shared love of charity projects, particularly in Africa. The couple flew out of London in secret on Monday to have their first holiday together. They are staying in a cabin near the town of Tromso in Norway and have reportedly been enjoying whale watching trips and seeing of the Northern Lights. Inspirations cod fillet fish fingers have risen 33 per cent from £2.25 to £3.
And two Young’s Gastro Crispy Lemon and Herb Battered Basa Fillets are 44 per cent up, to £3.93 from £2.73.
Everyday frozen fish and seafood products are also dearer. A pack of four Birds Eye fish fillets is up 8 per cent to £3.75 and a 220g bag of Young’s Scampi by 35 per cent to £3.25.
Research by The Grocer magazine also shows average meat prices are up by 3 per cent for beef, 4 per cent for lamb and 2 per cent for chicken.
Some of the biggest hikes include a half leg of lamb up by 15 per cent to £9.60, a large pork joint by 6 per cent to £10.31 and a large whole chicken by 4 per cent to £5.31.
Matt Southam, of t he Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which oversees the farming industry, warned further currency-driven increases on meat are likely.
He said: “Retailers held off until Christmas was out of the way but now we may be seeing the first of two or three rises.”
The British Retail Consortium said: “Depreciation of sterling will challenge the ability of retailers and their supply chains to absorb higher import costs.”