In Royal news this week, a new claim has surfaced about the final reason as to why Harry and Meghan decided to leave the Royal family and step down as senior Royal family members.
In Brothers And Wives: Inside The Private Lives of William Kate, Harry and Meghan, a new book about the Royals, the author, Christopher Andersen, claims that it was in fact the Queen’s actions that tipped them over the edge and finalised their decision to move to California.
Apparently in 2019, prior to recording her annual festive broadcast, which airs every year on Christmas day, she instructed an assistant to move a photo of Harry and Meghan out of shot.
Which exact photo it was is unknown, but it is claimed that only Meghan and Harry were in the image. It is believed the photo was on a desk alongside other framed photos of Royals including William and Kate, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Queen’s father George VI, and the Duke of Edinburgh, too.
All of theirs remained in the frame but Harry’s and Meghan’s did not.
Apparently, the Queen instructed an assistant to remove the image by saying: “That one, I suppose we don’t need that one.”
It’s thought that HM decided to remove the image from the frame as the pair had snubbed her previously, choosing to spend the festive period with Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, instead.
Shortly after this, Harry and Meghan made their final decision to step down as senior Royal family members.
This comes at the same time as a two-part documentary titled Princes and the Press has gone into detail about the supposedly strained relationship between brothers Prince William and Prince Harry.
The second episode of the documentary has made claims that certain members of the Royal family, including Prince William, “planted” stories in the press about Harry struggling with his mental health.
The professional dancer suffered an unexpected Crohn’s flare up.
Strictly: Amy Dowden moves in with Tom Fletcher's family after hospital trip
It’s hard to believe that this weekend was the 10th live show of Strictly Come Dancing 2021. Next week is the quarter final, and over the past couple of weeks we’ve sadly lost some of our most-loved celebrities in the dance off.
On musicals week, it was McFly frontman Tom Fletcher and his professional dance partner, Amy Dowden, who were voted off Strictly by the judges. And in a dramatic turn of events, Amy ended up briefly moving in with Tom and his family following an emergency trip to hospital.
After Tom and Amy unexpectedly left the show, the pair were unsurprisingly reluctant to go their separate ways. So on the Monday after their elimination, they shared on Instagram that they had booked a dance studio so they could continue enjoying the Strictly dance fun.
But following that, things deteriorated for dancer Amy Dowden. Sharing a post on Instagram, she explained the “scary” events that led to her missing Saturday night’s live Strictly show (the professional dancers continue to feature on the show even after they’re voted off with their celebrity partners).
Thanking her followers for the all their messages, Amy wrote: “Unfortunately, I was missing from the show as I had an unexpected Crohn’s flare up and hospital admission in which I received unbelievable care. I’m recovering very well and certainly being well looked after and look forward to returning to the dance floor.”
“To the Fletchers who made sure I had everything and more at the hospital, have brought me back to theirs where the whole family are giving me all the love, care, burnt toast (Tom), unlimited supply of @mrsgifletcher clothes along with @tomfletcher sock choice you could possibly need, lots of drawings and pretend injections from my new doctors Buzz, Buddy and Max. Thank you, they really were sent to me,” she added, with two pink heart emojis.
Tom also took to Instagram about Amy’s health issues, describing her as “one of the strongest people I’ve EVER met!” and recalling her Crohn’s flare up as “a pretty scary experience”.
“She’s home with us now and back to chatting non-stop and drinking her way through our supply of teabags, so I think she’s on the mend. Rest assured, the Fletchers are taking care of her,” added Tom.
Well at least she’s in good hands, and if she’s not well enough to attend Strictly Come Dancing’s live show this Saturday, then we’re sure she’ll be tuning in at home.
Since their move, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken publicly about their decision to leave the UK. During an interview with US chat show host Oprah, Harry spoke about his fractured relationships with family members, and Meghan revealed how constant media scrutiny impacted her mental health.
However, since moving overseas the couple said they are ‘thriving’ and enjoying life.
Over the last two years, Harry’s relationship with his brother, Prince William, has made headlines across the globe with an onslaught of rift and fallout rumours. So when William and Kate revealed that they will be heading to the US as part of their environmental initiative, The Earthshot Prize – which will be hosting its second annual ceremony across the pond in 2022 – many wondered whether or not they will stay with Harry and Meghan
It will be the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first visit to the US since 2014, but royal expert, Jonathan Sacerdoti told US Magazine that it’s quite unlikely the brothers will reunite this way.
He claimed: ‘It’s like so many of these things – it’s a sort of lose-lose situation. If they get invited and they decline, it seems petty and nasty. And if they don’t get invited, it seems petty and nasty from the other side.
‘And if they do accept such an invitation and something goes terribly wrong, that seems like a bad idea. I can’t quite see how this would work.’
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, royal author Omid Scobie said he believes that Harry and William’s relationship is ‘still very much one of distance’.
He said: ‘I don’t just mean physical [distance], across the Atlantic, but they are not talking that much, and that is exactly how sources close to William have put it.’
He added: ‘They are very different men. And I think that William has certainly become someone who is really living his life for the crown, for the institution. Harry has really sort of gone completely in the opposite direction.’
Julia Roberts largely keeps her personal life outside of the public eye. But in a rare departure from this – and in aid of a very special occasion – the actress recently shared a glimpse of her family on social media.
A mother of three, Julia Roberts and her husband (cinematographer Danny Moder) welcomed twins Hazel and Phinnaeus in November 2004. This was followed by the birth of their youngest son Henry, in June 2007.
This weekend marked Julia and Daniel’s twins’ 17th birthday, and in honour of this we got to take a look at some previously unseen throwback pictures of them. Julia’s husband shared a picture of Hazel and Phinnaeus when they were young children, writing: “these rabble rousers… 17 today. thank you for helping me through fatherhood.”
Sorry, can we just take a moment for how much Hazel looked like her mum even as a kid?!
Proud mum Julia Roberts also went old school for her Insta-tribute to her eldest children. Sharing a photo of the twins as newborn babies, she posted: “17 of the Sweetest years of life,” along with 17 cake emojis.
As mentioned previously, the Notting Hill actress keeps most aspects of her family life very private. But back in July this year, everyone was surprised when her daughter Hazel, then 16, made a rare red carpet appearance at Cannes with her dad, for his movie Flag Day.
In case you weren’t convinced from the photo above that Hazel Moder is, in fact, Julia Roberts’ double… take a look at her this summer:
December marks ten years of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, and to celebrate, famous faces from across the worlds of fashion, film and music are joining forces.
Since its launch in 2012, Christmas Jumper Day has raised over £27 million for children around the world, and this year Save the Children is adamant to make it the most sustainable year yet.
Get involved with Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day 2021 on Friday 10th December
The charity is encouraging a focus on vintage rather than buying new, so in order to take part you just need to upcycle, borrow or buy a second hand festive jumper to wear for the day and donate £2 to Save the Children.
Misan Harriman
To mark the 10-year anniversary, high profile names from Poppy Delevingne to Munroe Bergdorf have joined forces to model a range of cool one-off vintage jumpers (some of which will actually be available to buy in Save the Children charity shops in December).
The stunning photographs taken by iconic photographer Misan Harriman see the influential faces sharing messages of hope for the future from children around the globe, amplifying the urgent changes that children want to see in the world.
Misan Harriman
From ending racism to reducing pollution, the powerful series aims to give children from communities across the globe a voice and a platform to create change.
Ahead of Christmas Jumper Day, we sat down with the one of influential faces involved, the wonderful Poppy Delevingne, to find out more about Save The Children’s campaign…
Misan Harriman
What attracted you to the Save the Children campaign?
I’ve been an ambassador for Save the Children since 2015 and I’ve seen first-hand how the charity is supporting children in the UK and around the world. I jumped at the chance to get involved in this project for their 10th anniversary of Christmas Jumper Day and to help amplify the hopes and dreams of these children. Working with Misan Harriman was incredible – I’ve known him forever, and he’s become such an icon in the photography and activism world. I loved having my portrait taken by him.
What message do you hope to spread through your involvement?
I hope people recognise the importance of listening to children’s voices and their dreams for the future. The idea behind this project is to give children from communities across the globe a platform to share the changes they want to see in the world – from ensuring children are no longer victims of war, to reducing pollution and ending racism – the kids’ contributions were so powerful and it’s important that as adults we listen to them and do what we can to make their hopes for the future a reality.
What statement are you holding in the campaign, and why is it important to you?
The placard I’m holding in my portrait says “no child war victims” on it and the statement was written by a 7-year-old boy called Apollo who’s been raising funds for Save the Children’s conflict work, particularly in Yemen. I truly believe that children should never be victims of war, they deserve to be children after all. I feel very inspired by Apollo and very honoured that I got matched with him for this campaign.
Why is it so important that we amplify children’s voices?
I think it’s important to give a voice to children at all times of the year, not just at Christmas, because children are the future, it’s as simple as that. There’s just so much I think adults can learn from children if we listen to them.
Talk me through your vintage jumper of choice…
This jumper is a vintage knitted mohair jumper with beautiful gold and silver stars all over it. I think it’s just super elegant and goes with anything. I really wanted to keep it but it’s going to be distributed back into one of Save the Children’s charity shops across the UK, so if you head to your local one you might even be able to hunt it down!
Was the emphasis on sustainability an important element of the campaign for you?
So, this year Save the Children are encouraging people not to buy new Christmas jumpers but to decorate an old jumper, borrow one or shop second-hand. I loved that about the campaign this year and it made the jumper I wore feel even more special as I knew it was one of a kind. I’m trying to be more sustainable with my fashion choices and I love raiding my local vintage stores!
As you use your voice and platform for Save the Children this Christmas, do you have advice for can we all use our platforms to make change?
I think anyone can make a difference if they put their mind to it. Just by speaking up on the issues you care about you can make an impact, even if it’s just to your friends or family.
How can we all make change this Christmas?
Christmas is the perfect time for using your voice to create change, spreading love and for trying to create a more welcoming and fairer world for everyone.
What does Christmas mean to you?
The magic of Christmas for me has always been about family and seeing loved ones…and eating crazy amounts of cheese.
Do you have a favourite Christmas tradition?
We weirdly love dressing up in animal onesies and we LOVE a game in my family. The more competitive the better. It’s all about laughter and just being with the people you love the most.
To take part in Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 10th December, you just need to upcycle, borrow or buy a second hand festive jumper to wear for the day and donate £2 to Save the Children.
If you’ve seen the M&S Christmas advert, then you’ll know that the star of the festive season is the M&S snow globe gin.
Available in two flavours, clementine and spiced sugar, it comes in a bottle stunningly decorated with Christmas scenes, filled with glitter and which conveniently lights up for the perfect centrepiece.
It’s been so popular that individual bottles have already sold out online, however there is still a great deal to be had, if you’re happy to bulk buy – if it’s not all for you, you can buddy up with a friend and split the savings (if you’re after single bottles, then do check out our other gin deals here).
Light up Snow Globe Gin Liqueur Mixed Case – Case of 6, £120 at M&S
Not only do these gin liqueurs work well on their own over ice or topped up with prosecco, why not try our mulled sugar plum, simply warm 4 parts apple juice in a pan, then add 2 parts spiced sugar plum gin liqueur. Pour into a mug and garnish with apple slices.
So at the moment, you can buy a set of six bottles for £120, which works out at £20 a bottle, which is the normal price.
However, on top of that, you can currently get £30 off when you spend £200 online. So you can either double up on the case, buying 12 bottles in total, which averages out at £17.50 a bottle.
If 12 bottles sounds like a stretch, you can always supplement your order with some Christmas gifts, and remember you get free delivery on all orders over £100, so you’re not wasting anything.
When it comes to fragrance, you can’t really beat a Jo Malone scent. In fact, the brand’s colognes are some of the most beloved in beauty, but unfortunately do come with a bit of a price tag. Luckily there are some great Cyber Monday Jo Malone perfume dupes around, which you’ll need to snap up fast if you want to bag!
From the likes of Floral Street, Atelier Cologne, and The Perfume Edit at The Perfume Shop, the following five fragrances are certainly reminiscent of some iconic JML faves, from Lime, Basil & Mandarin, to Peony & Blush Suede.
Get spritzing with these Cyber Monday Jo Malone perfume dupes!
We’re almost in December, and with the cold weather settling in, we can’t think of anything better than a cuppa by the fireside, perhaps with a Christmas film playing in the background.
If that sounds like the dream to you, you’ll be delighted to hear that you can get your hands on Pukka’s best-selling tea advent calendar for a massive 50% off as part of a late Black Friday deal – making it just £4.99.
Pukka Herbs 2021 Tea Advent Calendar, was £9.99, now £4.99
An alternative to chocolate advent calendars for herbal tea lovers, featuring 24 different delicious organic blends. From calming herbs to help you relax, to refreshing ingredients to awaken your senses, this advent calendar is the ideal way to discover delicious flavours and revel in the essence of our blends.
Instead of a chocolate a day, you’ll be treated to 24 brews for every mood and occasion. This includes breakfast tea, after dinner tea, fruity, herbal infusions and everything in between. My favourites? Apple & cinnamon and licorice & cinnamon for that extra festive feel.
24 Days TEA Advent Calendar 2021 – 8 Flavours, was £13.99, now £5.99
A unique TEA set that gives you the opportunity to share tea love with your close ones as every window hides a set of two tea bags with a Christmas trivia. Contains 8 Flavours including Original Black Tea, Camomile, Peppermint, Tasty Decaf, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Raspberry and Green Tea.
If you’re not into herbal teas, don’t worry, because you can also get a good old PG Tips advent calendar for over 50% off, for just £5.99. What better way to count down to Christmas?
The deals are only available for the next few hours, until midnight tonight, or in other words, the end of Cyber Monday.
