When it comes to wine, those with discerning palates know that it’s not just about the kind of grape that’s used, but about where the grapes were grown. Most of the best wines are grown in relatively similar climates with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Nowadays, however, there’s one wine company whose grapes stand out especially because of where they’re grown. There’s one relatively new vineyard in Tibet that’s stepped up to earn the title for growing grapes at the highest altitude.
Sitting 11,690 feet above sea level, which, in other words, is more than two miles high, is the Pure Land & Super-High Altitude Vineyard. Being so high up might seem like a challenge, but the vineyard manages to grow a surprising 11 different varieties of grapes on the Tibetan plateau, which include both well-loved varieties like Muscat and the native Bei Bing Hong grape, which they use to make ice wine.
As one could expect from such a unique growing location, it took a bit of trial and error. The area the vineyard is located in might be known as the “source of vegetables” but according to the owner, “We soon realized that viticultural know-how from lower-altitude vineyards was useless when it came to planting vines on the high altitude areas of the Tibet Plateau.” Right now, the vineyard isn’t quite the tourist destination, but with any luck, that will change in the next few years as their operations continue to grow.
If you’re really itching for a taste of high-altitude wine, however, you don’t have to travel all the way across the world. An Argentinian vineyard previously held the record for being the highest altitude wine producer in the world. Their grapes grow at 1.93 miles above seas level. Even better, you can find bottles of their Malbec in stores for only $20.
Meghan and Harry’s Shocking Revelations From Their Secret Meetings With The Queen
They are one of the world’s most talked about couples and they recently revealed all. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the former Suits actress, shared what actually happened in all their meetings with Buckingham Palace whilst being working Royals.
What Does The Queen Really Think?
Meghan sat down with Oprah, and told her the truth about her discussions with the Palace. So what exactly happened during the tense tea party meetings? was it a recipe for disaster?

Earth Shattering Interview
In Meghan and Harry’s recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, the former royal couple finally opened up about what they really discussed with the royal family during the time of Meghan’s pregnancy with Archie. The Duchess of Sussex took no prisoners with the following statement. “In those months when I was pregnant … we have in tandem the conversation of ‘[Archie] won’t be given security,’” Meghan told Oprah. And that was just the beginning of what would prove to be an earth-shattering interview…

No Title
It wasn’t just the idea of their baby not being provided with any kind of security from the royal family. Meghan also suggested that Archie wouldn’t receive any kind of recognition either – specifically as far as his title was concerned. According to her, he was “not going to be given a title.” This idea was bound to draw a wedge between Harry and the rest of the royal family. But the reasons behind this idea took the interview to a whole new level…

Crazy Concerns
Meghan shocked Oprah when she delved deeper into the issues that ultimately alienated her from the royal family. According to Harry’s wife, there were “also concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born.” This was sure to be the straw that broke the camel’s back from Meghan. While she spoke her truth, Harry simply sat back and listened to his wife. It was only a matter of time though before he also shared his thoughts on the matter…

He Didn’t Want to Go There
While Harry was obviously keen to take part in the interview, this was one detail that he was apprehensive to go into detail about. He was between a rock and a hard place and had to consider both the feelings of his wife and his family. “That conversation, I’m never going to share,” he told Oprah. However, it was just a matter of time before Harry finally mustered up the courage and shared how he felt about the entire ordeal…

I Was Shocked
The time had finally come for Harry to speak his mind about the conversations he had with the royal family leading up to Archie’s birth. While he didn’t delve too much into the specifics, he did describe how he felt about what was said during those fateful talks. “At the time, it was awkward,” he said. “I was a bit shocked.” But just when it seemed like Meghan was going to take it from there, Harry also shared a big piece of information regarding what the family expected of Meghan moving forward…

Carry On Acting?
In what seemed like a detail that came out of nowhere, Harry told Oprah that the royal family had suggested the unthinkable for Meghan – to go back into the world of acting. “That was right at the beginning when she wasn’t going to get security,” he said. “when members of my family were suggesting that she carries on acting because there’s not enough money to pay for her, and all this sort of stuff.”

Not-So-Secret Meeting
Harry and Meghan’s revelations add to the real-life family soap opera that is the British Royal Family. In the last century alone, the family has had plenty of drama and relationships that have taken many twists and turns. Meghan Markle’s inclusion into the family is another entry in this thrilling story. When she met with the Queen in their first secret meeting, writer Andrew Morton was in the shadows and detailed the encounter in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

Happily Ever After?
Meghan Markle was dating Prince Harry since late 2016. Yet it was nearly a full year before the couple made their first public appearance together. Members of the public quickly compared the nature of Harry’s relationship to that of his great uncle, Edward, who was abdicated from the throne after marrying his American wife, who was in the middle of her second divorce. However, Harry didn’t face the same constitutional issues that Edward did and now the couple is married.

Queen Disapproves?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Queen could have reservations about Meghan Markle. After overseeing the relationships of many of her Royal relatives, Elizabeth II has seen her fair share of drama and personal issues that could’ve violated the laws of the Crown. There are a number of reasons as to why the Queen could’ve potentially said no to Markle in their private meeting. We are going to break them down, one by one.

Meghan’s Divorce
Firstly, it has only been a few years since Meghan Markle finalized her divorce with Trevor Engelson. She met the actor/producer back in 2004 and tied the knot in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on September 10, 2011. However, the marriage didn’t last more than two years. A recent report has suggested that their separation was the result of Markle’s growing addiction to fame. After making a name for herself in the acting world, she sent her wedding ring back to Engelson and ended things with him.

American Woman
Another reason that the Queen might have been apprehensive about Markle is to do with her identity. Not only is she not British, she’s not even European! Although this isn’t the first time that a member of the Royal family has married an American, this doesn’t seem like something that the Queen would’ve encouraged her grandchildren to do while growing up. Markle hails from Los Angeles and grew up in Hollywood. “My dad is Caucasian, and my mom is African American,” she said.

Hollywood Superstar No More
Meghan Markle has walked away from her acting career since getting into a relationship with Prince Harry. However, her arrival into the Royal family gave her more fame than any blockbuster movie. After spending the good part of a decade with minor roles in shows such as CSI: NY, 90210, and Fringe, Markle got her big break starring as Rachel Zane in the hit series Suits. She has also made appearances in movies such as Get Him to the Greek and Horrible Bosses.

Public Divided
One thing is for sure, Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle has torn the public in two. It seems like anyone who cares about the Royal family has one of two opinions on the matter. Some people are against the marriage, believing that it is going against the traditions of the British Monarchy. To others, it is considered to be a testament to how the Royal family has become more forward-thinking, modern, and integrated into wider society.

Future Sisters-In-Law
One lady who was in Markle’s shoes in recent times is her future sister-in-law, Kate. She can certainly empathize with Markle’s current situation. Not only has it been reported that Kate is helping Meghan adapt to the Royal life, but it is also believed that the actress has reciprocated the love. She reportedly gave Kate a dream journal at her 35th birthday party. Shortly after getting engaged, Markle spoke about meeting William and Kate and said that the Duchess has “been absolutely amazing.”

What Did The Queen Think Of Harry’s Exes?
It seems that whoever Harry has brought to meet his grandmother prior to Meghan has simply not gained her approval. However, it is heavily speculated that it has had less to do with them and more to do with Harry. “If he had come to see Grannie a few years earlier, when he had an unenviable reputation as an angry drunk with poor judgment, it would have been doubtful that the Queen would have agreed to him marrying,” Morton wrote.

Chelsy Davy Hated The Limelight
To this day, Chelsy Davy is still Prince Harry’s longest relationship. The couple was together, on and off, between 2004 and 2010. However, The Zimbabwean-born Davy eventually packed her bags for good and went back home. The reason for this was that she simply couldn’t handle the intense media pressure. “It was so full-on; crazy and scary and uncomfortable,” she said. “I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn’t cope.” Despite this, Davy has since released an ethical beauty range.

Nearly Married Cressida Bonas?
Harry’s most recent serious relationship before Meghan was with Cressida Bonas. Numerous reports suggested that the couple were on the verge of publicly announcing plans to marry. However, the actress was quick to deny the rumors, claiming them to be simply ‘noise.’ “All that stuff is not real,” she said. “It’s really important to remember that all [of] it is noise, noise that can be very loud at times.” They reportedly parted ways on amicable terms.

Popstar Love?
Believe it or not, Meghan Markle wasn’t the first high-profile name with whom Prince Harry had reported romantic ties. Not too long before he started dating the former actress, Harry was rumored to be getting close to pop star Ellie Goulding. Some onlookers who spotted them at the Audi Polo Challenge that year claimed to have seen them kissing under a blanket. They have been friends ever since Harry’s involvement at the Invictus Games in 2014. She even sang at the Royal Wedding in 2011.

The Others
It seems nearly impossible to keep up with the number of ladies that Prince Harry was romantically involved with before meeting Markle. Some of the others include the likes of actress Jenna Coleman, who Harry is believed to have had a “flirty” night with a couple of years ago. Back in 2003, one of Harry’s rumored first flings was with Natalie Pinkham. Since then, other names that have floated around include Astrid Harbord, Caroline Flack, Florence Brudenell-Bruce, and Mollie King.

Queen Likes Kate
One lady who has been successful after meeting the Queen is Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton. It seemed like love at first sight when the pair met for the first time at a wedding. “I first met [the queen] at Peter Phillips and Autumn [Phillpp]’s wedding…it was in amongst a lot of other guests and she was very friendly,” Kate said. William continued by saying, “She had wanted to meet Kate for a while.” Kate was invited to Windsor Castle the following month, and the rest was history.

Diana’s Meetings With The Queen
According to Morton, Princess Diana used her meetings with the Queen for a very specific reason, much to her discomfort. “In times past, Princess Diana…used these informal occasions to tackle the Queen over her eldest son’s affair with Camilla Parker Bowles,” he wrote. “As she sipped her tea, the princess was looking for sympathy – vainly, as it turned out. The topic was much too emotionally unsavory for her regal mother‑in‑law, so the matter was dropped.”

It Was Complicated
Diana Spencer had one of the most heavily publicized, toxic relationships with ex-husband Prince Charles. With a 13-year gap in age, it seemed like their marriage was doomed from the very start. However, one person who surprisingly empathized with her was none other than Queen Elizabeth II. When Diana approached the Queen, seeking marriage advice, Elizabeth simply described Charles as “hopeless.” The Queen also reportedly ordered the pair to divorce four years after they had already separated.

Queen Eventually Accepted Camilla
Prince Charles and wife Camilla’s relationship hasn’t gone without its fair share of drama. After having a brief romance in the 70s, Charles eventually tied the knot with Diana Spencer. However, amid rumors that Charles had been having an affair with Camilla, his relationship with Diana broke down and the couple divorced. Since then, Charles rekindled his relationship with Camilla. When she met the Queen at Constantine II’s birthday party, it seemed like she finally approved of their relationship.

Huge Sacrifices
Queen Elizabeth’s concerns when it comes to her family’s personal lives is completely understandable. Back in 1955, she was forced to put her foot down. Her sister Margaret had been romantically involved with Peter Townsend, who was divorced. The Queen had no choice but to say no to their desires to tie the knot. However, it seems that whoever is wearing the crown is going to continue facing these challenges. So how exactly did Elizabeth react when she found out about Meghan?

Queen’s Marriage Was Also Controversial
If there is anyone who understands how it feels to be scrutinized in the buildup to your wedding, it has to be Queen Elizabeth. Her scheduled marriage to Prince Philip didn’t go without its fair share of controversy. This is largely due to the fact that he was foreign-born and had sisters who had married Germans with links to the Nazi regime. This means that if anyone can empathize with Meghan Markle the most, it’s Elizabeth.

The Time Had Arrived
There was no denying that Meghan’s meeting with the Queen was fairly tense. After so many previous personal issues between other members of the Royal family, it was unclear how this meeting would play out. Soon enough though, Meghan realized that everything was going to be fine. She saw just how much respect Harry had for his grandmother. “She’s an incredible woman,” Meghan said. However, she still needed the Queen’s blessing. So did she get it?

The Queen Said Yes
In the end, the Queen had no negative things to say to Harry and Meghan and gave them her blessing. It turns out that Markle’s previous worries were inconsequential. “Meghan’s divorce was no longer a concern, as it had been for the previous American to marry a Royal, and neither was her biracial heritage,” Morton wrote. Moreover, it turns out that a third party had a huge part to play in the Queen’s final say on this blossoming relationship…

Corgis To The Rescue!
One detail that Andrew Morton believes could’ve sealed the deal as far as The Queen’s blessing was concerned was the way that her corgis behaved around Meghan. “The final seal of approval came from the queen’s corgis,” Morton wrote. “This normally irascible breed were friendly and welcoming when Meghan entered the Queen’s sitting room.” However, Morton was quick to make it clear that something else was at play that may have influenced the Queen’s decision…

The Real Reason
It seems that The Queen approved of Meghan so easily, not because she was on trial, but because Harry was. The Prince had developed a reputation as a bit of a troublemaker over the last few years. His darkest hour came when he dressed up in an offensive costume at a bachelor party. Since then though, Harry has redeemed himself, and the Queen repaid him accordingly. “I’ve spent the last thirty‑three years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing,” Harry cheekily said after the meeting.

Bells Are Ringing!
So there you have it. It turns out that it wasn’t Meghan Markle who the Queen had any concerns about – it was actually her own grandson! Now that Prince Harry has proven to her that he has grown up and is ready to be a husband, the Queen can sit back happily and watch the two hold each other’s hands in Royal matrimony. A recent interview with Oprah proved that this wasn’t the end of this never-ending family saga…
