Royal Family

No, you're not watching an episode of "Royal ER" starring Prince William ... dude actually scrubbed up and joined surgeons in the operating room of a cancer hospital in London.

The future King of England sat in on a robotic surgery at Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea. The hospital was one of the first in London to use the technology on cancerous tumors, and since Wills followed in his late mom footsteps as the president of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, he got to see the bot firsthand Wednesday at work.

Meghan Markle's not the only one in her family planning a wedding -- but her half-brother's might be on hold after his fiancee got busted for assaulting him.

Darlene Blount was arrested in Oregon Sunday night -- just before midnight, actually -- after what cops describe as a booze-fueled altercation. Blount was booked for 4th degree assault about 4 hours into 2018. Happy new year!

Darlene is engaged to Thomas Markle, Meghan's half-brother. They have the same father, but don't appear to be close anymore. Thomas told the Daily Mail -- which first reported the arrest -- he hasn't seen Meghan since 2011 when she moved to take her role in "Suits."

Meghan Markle has nothing standing in her way if she ever wants to start a beauty line once she joins the royal family.

Reports surfaced Tuesday that Markle was partnering up with Victoria Beckham on a bio-botox line, but we're told they're completely untrue.

Palace sources tell us Meghan's future royal status won't prevent her from diving into her own business once she's married to Prince Harry. There are no U.K. laws that prohibit a member of the royal family from having a side hustle. All she has to do is follow the same rules as the normies, and she's good to go.

And, we're told, Royal protocol does not prohibit business ventures by someone in Markle's position. The Countess of Wessex, who married Prince Edward, ran a PR company after becoming a royal fam member.

Meghan had run her own lifestyle blog, The Tig, but shut it down after 3 years.

The Christmas snapshot of the Royal Fab Four seen 'round the world -- taken by a single mother -- has already generated thousands of dollars ... and there's more to come.

TMZ has learned the photo taken by Karen Anvil -- a less-than-amateur photog -- has already raked in about 5,000 pounds in the U.K. from licensing. That's about $6,700 in USD.

We're told that money is just from one of eight territories the photo's being circulated in so far -- the figures for the other territories, which includes the U.S., haven't been fully calculated yet. However, we're told Karen is in for a "very happy New Year."

As for Karen ... she tells us she plans to use part of that dough to pay for her daughter's college tuition -- as well as to pay for a U.S. trip for the kid's 18th birthday.

Scottie Pippen has President Obama's back when it comes to basketball -- saying #44 is absolutely RIGHT picking Michael Jordan over LeBron James.

Remember, Obama went with MJ over LBJ during a rapid fire question session with Prince Harry -- saying he "loves" LeBron ... but ultimately he's gotta go with His Airness.

Pippen agrees ... and referred us back to a recent interview where he told us HE'S better than LeBron too!

"LeBron ain't better than me until he gets 6 titles."

Prince Harry did what American journalists have been itching to do for a year ... interview President Barack Obama post presidency.

Harry was guest hosting the "Today" radio show Wednesday and played his interview with Obama, part of which was a lightning round of pretty funny questions, including ...

-- Boxers or briefs

-- LeBron or Jordan

-- Aretha or Tina

-- Kim or Khloe (this one's interesting)

-- Harry or William

-- "Suits" or "The Good Wife"

-- The Rock or Chris Rock (again, interesting)

The interview was recorded in September during the Invictus Games when the 2 became buds.

Obama also talked about the dangers of a president hopping on social media ... he didn't mention Trump by name, but it was pretty obvious.

Add Gloria Allred to the list of people pumped for another Royal Wedding in May ... because she's a huge Meghan Markle fan.

The famed women's rights attorney tells TMZ she's stoked Prince Harry's marrying a feminist, and hopes she'll rub off on him. She says Meghan has a chance to truly change the world in her new role ... far beyond just the normal photo ops.

As for Markle's history of fighting for women's equality ... Gloria refers to a story of an 11-year-old Meghan speaking out against a sexist dish soap commercial in 1993 and writing letters to powerful women -- including Allred -- to make a difference.

And it worked. Yeah ... seems like Harry's found a good one.

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!!!