Tying The Knot

Kim Zolciak-Biermann says renewing your wedding vows isn't the spark for a fizzled out relationship -- but if that's what you're aiming for ... she's got a suggestion.

We got Kim and her hubby, Kroy, at LAX and asked if they recommend married couples renew their vows -- like they did this past spring -- to reignite romance.

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.

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.

Eli Manning is still LOVED by his NY Giants WRs ... just ask supermodel Chanel Iman, who says the QB is definitely invited to her upcoming wedding to Sterling Shepard.

Sterling proposed to Chanel earlier this month after roughly 11 months of dating -- and now the wedding planning begins!

We had to ask about the guest list ... and that's when Iman raved about Eli Manning -- saying she's a huge fan of the quarterback both on and off the field.

In fact, Chanel says the guy doesn't even need to get them a wedding gift ... but c'mon, she doesn't really mean that, right?!

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.

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.

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.

Cardi B is the fiancée we all want, 'cause she doesn't make her man choose between a brand new car or a fancy watch for his birthday -- she just buys both.

Cardi was with Offset Wednesday night at The MacArthur in DTLA to ring in his 26th birthday. On the way out, she gave him the big gift first -- a new Rolls-Royce Wraith!!!

You can tell he was stoked by the way he thanks his bride-to-be -- nothin' says "love you" like a nice squeeze -- but the presents weren't over from there. Looks like she also bought him a fully blinged out watch! And Cardi made it clear to us -- she put down her own cash for the goods.

Aside from high-priced gifts, Offset also had his pals Quavo, Takeoff, Big Sean, Swae Lee, Lil Yachty, G-Eazy and Ashanti there to celebrate.

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.

It's Take 2 on one of the best sports questions ever ...

Which is better -- winning the World Series or honeymooning with Kate Upton??

We got to ask the one guy who would know the answer -- Justin Verlander -- as the Houston Astros pitcher was leaving Craig's Tuesday night with his supermodel bride.

Verlander successfully dodged the question when it was posed on Twitter a few days ago -- even after Kate doubled down and asked Verlander to give an answer!!

So, what happened this time around? Well, let's just say he'd rather talk about Jose Altuve ...

Justin Bieber didn't give a verbal answer when asked if he and Selena Gomez are gonna get hitched ... but his facial expressions ... well, arguably telling.

Paps got Justin Monday at Il Pastaio in Bev Hills, where he posed with some servers and hugged it out with Gigi and Bella Hadid's pops, Mohamed, on the way out.

Watch his reaction when a photog asks if he's gonna propose to his on-again, off-again girlfriend -- with whom he recently got back together. A blush is worth a thousand words.

Oh, and we also got JB the same day and asked what he wanted for Christmas. Aside from a possible engagement ... sounds like he's mulling over a Biebs Institute.

Harry and Meghan don't own the market on wedding proposals, because Chanel Iman and NFL star Sterling Shepard are also engaged!!!

The New York Giants wide receiver got down on bended knees Saturday to pop the question to the supermodel. They've been dating since January.

Sterling didn't spare any detail ... He chose a rooftop with a panoramic view of New York City and lined the area with candles.

Her caption says it all. "A night full of tears of happiness. I’m beyond excited to spend the rest of my life with you @sterl_shep3 you are my soulmate, my best friend, my everything! Can’t wait to be your Mrs."

She 27 and he's 24, which is cool.