Prince William ‘shows he’s a true gentleman’ helping Carole Middleton in awkward moment
Carole Middleton had a graceful recovery with Prince William by her side at the Royal Ascot.
Prince William helps Carole Middleton out of a blunder (Image: Getty )
Carole Middleton was saved by Prince William after her ‘heel-in-mud’ moment, showing off the future monarch’s warm side in an exchange at Royal Ascot.
In an unpredictable turn of events that makes each year so memorable at Royal Ascot, Carole’s foot fell out of her shoe as her heel got stuck in a grassy area.
Prince William charmed his mother-in-law by laughing at the situation and helping her regain her balance. Carole’s brief encounter with the mud at Royal Ascot not only added a touch of spontaneity to the day’s proceedings but also endeared her further to the public.
The Princess of Wales’s parents Carole and Micheal Middleton made their first public appearance since their daughter’s cancer diagnosis on June 19 on the second day of Royal Ascot.
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William's helping hand for Carole: Prince shows he is a true gentleman as he helps Kate's mother when she gets her heel stuck in Ascot turf | Daily Mail Online https://t.co/JYQKyJ5K5s
Carole and William share a laugh together (Image: Getty)
The Daily Mail’s royal editor, Rebecca English called William a “true gentleman” on social media platform X as he helped his mother-in-law. Fans have since rushed to social media to show praise for the Prince.
Royal fan, @sueberry1954 exclaimed: “They are very close. Lovely photo.”
Whereas, @Emmab402 wrote: “It looks like they have a wonderfully close relationship with lovely Prince William, it so nice to see them all relaxed and enjoying the day today.”
The smiling and smartly dressed parents of Kate were also pictured arriving for the second day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting. Carole looked stunning in a floral light blue organza dress by Self Portrait which she paired with a colour-matching fascinator.
The Prince of Wales, 41, was spotted chatting to both of Kate’s parents on the second day of the glamorous event. In a brief moment, while chatting to other attendees, the two held hands and shared a tender moment. The touching gesture showed their close, familial bond which was a heartwarming display of unity and affection.
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Prince William helps his mother-in-law’s balance (Image: Getty)
The Princess of Wales was not at the annual event, popular with senior members of the Royal Family, as she continues her cancer treatment. Kate has been absent most of the year after having been diagnosed with a form of cancer but made her triumphant return last weekend, when she attended Trooping the Colour in London.
Although it was Princess Kate’s first royal appearance since she announced her cancer diagnosis in March with an emotional video, she is not officially back to work.
The princess is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy and in her latest message, she said the treatment is ongoing and will be for the next few months.
Her mother is said to have been a pillar of strength to her daughter, rallying around her family and helping her through her treatment. Behind the scenes, the Princess of Wales has started to work from home and hold meetings with her teams in Windsor, where she lives in Adelaide Cottage with her family.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie subtly coordinate for Royal Ascot outing
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie stepped out in style for day two of Royal Ascot, as the fashionable sisters opted for co-ordinating subtle pastel shades
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie looked sensational in complimentary pastel outfits at Royal Ascot (Image: Getty)
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie stepped out in style for day two of Royal Ascot, as the fashionable sisters opted for co-ordinating subtle pastel shades while attending the annual horse racing event.
Beatrice, 35, looked stunning in a pale pink and white mid-length dress by Zimmerman, that featured a statement belted waist, long puff sleeves and a blend of linen and silk to help keep the Princess cool and chic during her time at the sun soaked event.
To complete her outfit, the Princess opted for an oversized pink headband adorned with flowers, along with a complimentary pair of closed toe shoes and a matching clutch bag.
Little sister Eugenie, 34, meanwhile opted for a slightly more pared back look as she selected a cream ribbed dress complete with collared neckline and buttoned front.
Princess Beatrice looked sensational in a pink floral gown at this year’s Royal Ascot (Image: Getty)
Yet just like her sister, she too had opted for puff sleeves and added a pop of colour to her ensemble with a pale pink hat that perfectly co-ordinated with Beatrice’s outfit.
During event, the stylish sisters were seen laughing and chatting away with their cousins Prince William and Zara Tindall, and were both later joined by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh to make the most of the family reunion.
Interestingly, while Beatrice and Eugenie coordinated in similar colour palettes for their day at the races, Duchess Sophie was also following the same style cues.
The 59-year-old had been spotted wearing Beatrice’s exact Zimmerman dress just two days prior.
Princess Eugenie meanwhile looked equally stylish in a stunning cream ribbed dress (Image: Getty)
Sophie wore the elegant Summer dress at this year’s Garter Day service on Monday June 17, however she accessorised her outfit with a pink fascinator and white chain-link purse alongside a pair of timeless nude heels.
One royal who sadly didn’t make it to the event this year, was Princess Kate, who missed the annual social event due to her ongoing cancer treatment.
Her parents Carole and Michael Middleton however did manage to attend in her stead, and were spotted enjoying the second day of race proceedings.
Carole looked stunning in a floral light blue organza dress by Self Portrait which she paired with a colour-matching fascinator.
Meanwhile Michael looked equally dapper in his coat tails and hat.
Princess Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton were also in attendance (Image: Getty)
Royal’s ‘secret weapon’ who reached out to Meghan Markle and was Queen’s ‘second daughter’
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are being hailed as two of the most important ‘secret weapons’ in the Royal Family, as they celebrate their 25th anniversary
Meghan and Sophie with the other royals at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Image: Getty)
Since their wedding in 1999, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh have seen a steady rise in their popularity. Their nuptials were far more low-key than the grand Royal weddings of the Prince and Princess of Wales or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, setting the tone for their down-to-earth approach to Royal life.
As they mark their 25th wedding anniversary, Edward and Sophie – now the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – are frequently hailed as two of the Royal Family’s most vital “secret weapons”. The couple, Edward, 60, and Sophie Rhys-Jones, 59, tied the knot in a modest ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on 19 June, 1999, and their relationship has only grown stronger since.
Former BBC Royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, believes their unpretentious wedding and subsequent behaviour, despite being part of one of the world’s most famous families, has played a key role in their growing popularity. “Understated, unshowy and as down-to-earth as you can be when you are born into the royal family. That’s how Edward and Sophie are today… and it’s how they were 25 years ago on their relatively understated wedding day at Windsor,” Jennie said.
Royal expert Jennie has heaped praise on the Duchess of Edinburgh for her genuine demeanour and her seamless adaptation to Royal duties, both in the public eye and behind closed doors. “Sophie is a natural, humble woman – clearly still very much in love with her husband – and a woman who has grown into her role without fuss or fanfare,” she remarked.
Sophie and Kate share a joke at Royal Ascot (Image: Jason Dawson/JASONPIX)
“Perhaps part of the secret of their successful marriage is that they spent five years in a relationship before tying the knot. And that was pretty unusual at the time,” Jennie told OK!.
“Sophie had seen at first hand the trauma of the Diana years, the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage, the Yorks’ divorce and Anne’s divorce and second marriage.”
“It was probably quite courageous to become another royal bride! But, by the time they got married, both Edward and Sophie were mature enough to know that they were right for one another.”
The love story of Edward and Sophie began when they first crossed paths at London’s Capital Radio in 1987, but it wasn’t until a fortuitous encounter at a charity tennis match six years later that sparks truly flew. Edward popped the question while on holiday in 1998, leading to a public announcement of their engagement in January 1999.
King Charles and Sophie are close (Image: Getty Images)
In a move to keep their nuptials relaxed, the couple opted for an “informal” wedding ceremony, inviting guests to wear evening attire and forgoing the traditional hats during the service.
However, one steadfast family member completely disregarded this request, rarely seen without her signature hat. The Queen Mother, then 98, arrived at the service donning a large, lilac feathered hat.
Edward looked dapper in his morning suit, while Sophie dazzled in a gown designed by Samantha Shaw. She completed her wedding ensemble with the Anthemion tiara, incorporating several of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewels.
Today, the couple epitomises duty and devotion, juggling their roles as parents to Lady Louise Windsor, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16. However, they’ve had their share of nerve-wracking moments over the years.
The Queen thought of Sophie as like a second daughter (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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During her 36th week of pregnancy with Lady Louise, a year after being airlifted to hospital due to an ectopic pregnancy, Sophie experienced severe internal pains. She was admitted to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey where doctors discovered she was critically ill from blood loss, leading to an emergency Caesarean section.
Upon birth, Lady Louise weighed 4lb 9oz and spent two weeks in a specialist neonatal unit at St George’s Hospital, South West London. As Sophie was too unwell to be moved to be with her newborn daughter, mother and child were separated during these crucial early days.
The tragic losses of Sophie’s cherished mother, Mary Rhys-Jones, in 2005, and the subsequent bereavements of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II have undoubtedly tested the couple’s resilience. Yet, it is their unwavering love and mutual support that has seen them emerge stronger in the face of sorrow.
Sophie’s empathy extends beyond her immediate family, as she reportedly offered a helping hand to both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle during pivotal junctures in their Royal journeys.
Sophie and Prince Edward on the day of their engagement (Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Royal author Jennie reveals: “Sophie has become one of the most loved members of the royal family, forging a deep and mutually affectionate relationship with both of her in-laws, the late Queen and Prince Philip,” highlighting how the Queen herself saw Sophie as akin to a “second daughter”, alongside Princess Anne.
Jennie shared insights into Sophie’s open-hearted nature, saying: “Sophie is delightfully open about her love for her husband, she is close to Catherine and has no doubt been a great support to her in her health crisis.”
Despite a significant age difference, Sophie and Catherine share much common ground, quickly establishing a strong friendship. “Even though a 17-year age gap seems a lot to bridge, the two women have a lot in common and became firm friends quite early on. Sophie knew exactly what lay in wait for Catherine as she joined the family and she knew it wouldn’t always be easy.”
Described as inherently kind and generous, Sophie has played various roles for those around her from mentor to confidante, or simply a friend to laugh with.
“By nature, Sophie is a kind and generous person who has always been happy to act as sounding board, mentor, confidante… or sometimes just another girl to share a giggle with,” says Jennie. “So I have no doubt that Sophie has been someone to whom Catherine has frequently turned.
Sophie meets with children as she visits the family center of the NGO Save Ukraine (Image: Getty Images)
“They’ve often been seen enjoying a private joke in public and certainly seem more like sisters than aunt and niece by marriage. Sophie has retained a girlishness about her, while Catherine perhaps because of her very senior role in the family sometimes seems mature beyond her years.
“I’m sure both Sophie and Edward would have been in close contact with William and Catherine throughout her illness, offering moral support as well as practical help by stepping up to take on extra royal duties while both she and the King recover.”
The affection King Charles holds for Sophie is evident, as Jennie explains that it’s Sophie’s unassuming nature that has made her an integral part of the family.
Jennie said: “She is seen as a safe pair of hands when carrying out her royal engagements either with the rest of the family or by herself.
Edward and Sophie with baby Lady Louise (Image: Getty)
“She doesn’t complain, she doesn’t demand, she just gets on with supporting the King when asked, and with pursuing her interests the rest of the time. She often does this under the radar, expecting no special treatment and is now absolutely part of the core working royals.”
When not performing ceremonial duties, the Duchess’s main charitable focuses include supporting young people with disabilities, eradicating avoidable blindness, agriculture, fashion and preventing sexual violence in conflict zones.
Sophie has been a pillar of strength and compassion, embarking on solo tours to some of the world’s most challenging environments such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and recently Ukraine.
Away from the public eye, Sophie and her husband Prince Edward lead a tranquil life at Bagshot Park in Surrey, cherishing moments with their children and three beloved dogs – Teal the labrador, Mole the cocker spaniel, and Teasel, a labrador puppy.
The couple were originally styled as the Earl and Countess of Wessex (Image: Getty)
Royal commentator Jennie reflected on the couple’s quarter-century journey together, stating: “Sophie’s longstanding and loyal love for her man speaks volumes. They have a very secure marriage and seem to support one another in everything they do.”
The depth of their bond was touchingly showcased when Sophie delivered an emotional tribute for Edward’s 60th birthday celebration in March.
In a speech that moved Edward to tears, Sophie expressed, “Like my father-in-law, my husband never seeks compliments for himself. So when acknowledgment has come his way it has always been a total surprise to him, which is why I am grateful for this chance to, for once, be able to publicly celebrate and compliment him.”
She continued with heartfelt admiration, “He is the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend. So here’s to you my darling Edward and may I along with all your family and so many friends and many others wish you the happiest of birthdays!
“In many ways Edward and Sophie have managed to be the most private of couples,” Jennie praises. “They look like a strong and stable team but without being particularly tactile in public or showy and the strength of their marriage speaks for itself.”
Inside Princess Diana’s near brush with Hollywood fame as movie role unveiled
Princess Diana could once have been a Hollywood star, after Kevin Costner revealed he was ready to protect the late Princess of Wales in The Bodyguard 2.
Princess Diana almost became a Hollywood icon, according to one Oscar winning actor (Image: Getty)
Princess Diana could once have been a Hollywood star, after Kevin Costner revealed he was ready to protect the late Princess of Wales in The Bodyguard 2.
The 69 year old actor, had once been in talks with the Princess to produce a sequel to his hit film The Bodyguard, with a script featuring the royal already written at the time of her tragic passing back in 1997.
Opening up about what the sequel may have entailed on The Howard Stern Show, the acclaimed actor revealed that he would once again have reprised his role as former Secret Service agent, Frank Farmer and would have been visiting Hong Kong to look after a prized racehorse when he his character crossed paths with Diana.
“He’s on a plane, Princess Di’s up front, everyone has to get off the plane,” he explained. “Di goes off the plane first, she goes into Hong Kong, because she’s going to this [horse] race too.”
Kevin Costner had pitched a sequel to his hit film The Bodyguard to Princess Diana (Image: Getty)
“Princess Di, I meet her the next day at a party and I’m looking at her like everybody else. And she finally walks over and goes, ‘I know who you are!’ And I said, ‘What the f–k are you talking about?’ She goes, ‘I know you’re here to watch over me.’ And I said, ‘No, I’m not actually. I’m watching over a horse,’” Costner continued.
“In the story, she had broken with the royal family.”
The unexpected collaboration spawned from an earlier meeting between Kevin and the Princess back in the early 1990s, after the pair had been introduced by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
At the time, Diana had already begun the process of divorcing King Charles, and was impressed by Kevin’s pitch when he asked her to be involved.
According to Kevin, the Princess has specifically requested a kissing scene! (Image: Getty)
“I said, ‘I’m going to do Bodyguard 2 and I think I can build this around you. Would you be interested?’” Costner said.
“She goes, ‘Yes … My life’s about to change.’ I thought I understood what she’s saying: ‘I’d like to open my life… I think I would like to do this.’”
Interestingly, the Princess even allegedly pitched a kissing scene between them according to the star – which is perhaps unsurprising, after it was revealed earlier this week that Prince William had once informed the actor that his mother had “fancied him”
“The second time we talked she said, ‘Is there going to be a kissing scene?’ I said, ‘Do you want there to be one?’ She said, ‘Yeah,’ and I said, ‘Then we’ll do that,’” Costner explained.
However, it is understood that the Princess would not have been his main love interest in the film.
Following Diana’s death, the project was shelved as Kevin no longer felt it was viable to continue and likened the royal’s instrumental role in bringing the film to life as his former co-star Whitney Houston had been.
“I could not replace Princess Di,” he said. “Kind of like, if I couldn’t have done Bodyguard with Whitney, I don’t think I was gonna make it with anybody.”
Princess Kate’s parents make first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis
A smiling Carole and Micheal Middleton have arrived at Royal Ascot for the second day of the annual horse race meeting.
Carole and Michael Middleton arrive on the second day of Royal Ascot (Image: BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales’s parents Carole and Micheal Middleton have made their first public appearance since their daughter’s cancer diagnosis.
The smiling and smartly dressed couple have been pictured arriving for the second day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting.
Carole looked stunning in a floral light blue organza dress by Self Portrait which she paired with a colour-matching fascinator.
Princess Kate’s mother kept her hair down and beamed at photographers during the famous Berkshire meet.
The Princess of Wales is not at the annual event that is popular with senior members of the Royal Family as she continues her cancer treatment.
Carole and Michael Middleton at Royal Ascot (Image: Getty) Stay up-to-date with the latest Royal newsJoin us on WhatsApp
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Kate has been absent most of the year after having been diagnosed with a form of cancer but made her triumphant return last weekend, when she attended Trooping the Colour in London.
Even though her attendance should not be seen as a full return to public duties, royal fans were delighted to see their beloved royal for the first time in six months.
The princess is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy and in her latest message, she said the treatment is ongoing and will be for the next few months.
Her mother is said to have been a pillar of strength to her daughter, rallying around her family and helping her through her treatment.
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Kate’s parents were last seen in public back in December when they attended her annual Carol Service during Christmas time at Westminster Abbey.
Just three months later, Kate would appear on video and shock the world by announcing she had been diagnosed with cancer.
In her latest update, published last Friday, the future Queen said that she has “good days and bad days” while she continues to undergo preventative chemotherapy, explaining that during the latter she is left “weak and tired”.
But when she is well enough she said she can focus on the things that give her joy, most notably her family and her work.
Prince Harry ‘humiliated three times’ in weeks with friends saying ‘trust is broken’
Prince Harry has had a trio of “royal humiliations” over the past few weeks which culminated in Trooping the Colour last weekend, according to a royal biographer
Prince Harry reportedly rejected an offer from the King to stay at one of the royal palaces (Image: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds)
Prince Harry has faced three humiliations in just a few weeks as tempers continue to flare amongst the Royal Family, a royal biographer has claimed.
On his visit to the UK last month, Harry was unable to meet with his father King Charles as the monarch couldn’t fit him into his schedule.
According to Emily Andrews, Harry also wasn’t invited to Trooping the Colour and was “uninvited” to the Duke of Westminster’s “wedding of the year” earlier this month.
The royal biographer wrote in Woman magazine: “It has been humiliation after humiliation for Prince Harry.”
She added: “Harry has broken so many bonds of trust with so many people, it is difficult to see him ever attending a society wedding or Trooping the Colour again.”
Harry wasn’t invited to Trooping the Colour (Image: Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
In a further insult, his rejection occurred despite the Duke, Hugh Grosvenor, 33, being a close friend of Harry’s and a godfather to his son, Archie.
It has been a major series of blows that highlight just how much the prince has been given the cold shoulder by his family and friends, according to Emily.
Harry revealed earlier this year that he wanted to see his family more and spend more time in the UK, but upon arrival last month, he issued a statement saying he wouldn’t be meeting up with his father.
He said this was because the King’s “full programme” meant he was too busy. Emily claimed he also couldn’t meet the Prince or Princess of Wales, as they are “still understandably too hurt” to speak to him.
Harry also couldn’t meet the Prince or Princess of Wales, according to a royal biographer (Image: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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In a repeat of last year, both Harry and his wife, Meghan, were absent from Trooping the Colour.
And Emily said it was simply “too awkward” for Harry to be in attendance at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding to Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral this month.
She claimed it was deemed too “difficult” to allow Harry to attend due to the “frosty feud” between him and William, who said they didn’t want anything “overshadowing” the day.
Emily said this awkwardness extends to most of Harry’s family and friends, as many are concerned they could appear in a future book or Netflix series produced by the prince.
Prince Harry admitted a sentence stuck in his head like darts in a board as his dad, King Charles, told him Princess Diana had been involved in a fatal crash in August 1997
Prince Harry revealed the heartbreaking moment he found out his mum, Princess Diana, had died.
Aged just 12, Harry was told be his father, King Charles, of the fatal crash that killed the Princess of Wales on August 31, 1997. While he explained he initially thought his mother would be okay, Harry admitted there were telling phrases used by his dad at the time that have stuck in his mind “like darts in a board”.
Writing in his memoir, Spare, Harry told how his dad sat on the edge of his bed and put his hand on his knee to break the tragic news to his youngest son. Harry told how his dad “looked at me in a funny way, a way he’d never looked at me before” when he told him the devastating news of his mother’s death.
William, Harry and Charles at Diana’s funeral(
Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
While Charles told the Duke of the crash, Harry said he still believed his mother would be okay and patiently waited for his dad to confirm that would be the case. Explaining his thought pattern, Harry wrote: “She’s been taken to hospital, they’ll fix her head, and we’ll go and see her. Today. Tonight at the latest.”
However, he soon realised that wasn’t the case and that his mum had passed. Sharing the phrases that followed, Harry said his dad then said: “They tried, darling boy. I’m afraid she didn’t make it.”
It’s these phrases Harry so vividly remembers and explained brought everything to a stop. “None of what I said to him then remains in my memory,” Harry continued. “It’s possible that I didn’t say anything. What I do remember with startling clarity is that I didn’t cry. Not one tear.”
He later revealed the gift he was given shortly after his mother’s death. He revealed his aunt Sarah gave him a tiny blue box. In it, was a lock of his mother’s hair. Harry said Sarah had explained how she had clipped two locks from Diana’s head while in Paris.
Sweet secrets behind Prince Edward and Sophie’s trailblazing marriage that survived the odds
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are celebrating their landmark silver wedding anniversary and to mark the occasion, we are taking a closer look at their marriage secrets
When Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones walked down the aisle in St George’s Chapel in 1999, onlookers could have been forgiven for being sceptical about whether their marriage would last.
At the time, the Queen’s other three children had all seen their own marriages end in divorces – Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.
But Edward and Sophie would go on to defy the odds. This week, the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary – an impressive milestone by anyone’s standards. To mark the happy occasion, we take a closer look at their long-term romance and how they have managed to remain closer than ever
Sophie and Edward on their wedding in 1999(
Image: PA)
Sophie, then called Sophie Rhys-Jones, first met the Queen’s youngest son at Capital Radio in 1987 – although at the time, the Prince was going out with her friend.
They bumped into each other again in 1993 at a charity event. Sophie was working as a public relations executive, and co-owned the firm RJH Public Relations with her business partner Murray Harkin.
After years of dating, they announced their engagement in January 1999, with Sophie giving fans a glimpse of her stunning Asprey and Garrard white gold ring. And on 19 June 1999 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, the happy couple finally tied the knot.
They went on to welcome two children, James, now Earl of Wessex, who is currently undertaking his GCSEs and Lady Louise, an English literature student at St Andrews University.
The couple are proud parents to Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex(
Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
They are a very close-knit and low-key family. And friends have told the Daily Mail that it is the careful balancing of their positions as full-time working royals with a strong sense of duty, together with their life as partners and parents, that is the secret to their success.
“They are a real team,” one life-long friend of the couple told the publication. “There’s an equilibrium in the relationship, neither one is jealous of the other. In fact they take great pride in the other’s achievements. When Sophie undertook a 450-mile cycling challenge a few years ago from Edinburgh to London there was no one prouder than the prince, I can tell you.”
Their devotion was evident earlier this year when Sophie paid a loving tribute to her husband in honour of his 60th birthday.
The Duchess described her husband as her ‘best friend’(
Image: Getty Images)DON’T MISS
Leaving Edward looking deeply emotional, Sophie described the Prince as “the best of fathers and the most loving of husbands and still is my best friend”. She sweetly added: “I am so proud of the man he is.”
For Edward’s part, in an exclusive interview with Rebecca English to mark his landmark birthday, he notably “came alive” as he discussed his wife.
“Well, you need a really good supportive network in this and family is incredibly important. I am just very, very lucky that Sophie is a brilliant, brilliant person in her own right,’ he told the journalist, who reported that he was “smiling from ear to ear” at the time.
The couple share a number of interests, from skiing to walking their dogs together and enjoying low-key “bucket and spade” holidays with their family in the Isles of Scilly.
But above all else, they laugh a lot. “There is always something for them to giggle about,” a friend revealed.
In recent years, Edward and Sophie’s star has been on the rise. They have taken on more public duties with onlookers praising them for their no-fuss, down-to-earth appearances. They are also seen as a safe pair of hands, having quietly devoted much of their married life to the royal family without fuss or fanfare.
Unsurprisingly, they are said to be ‘role models’ for Prince William and Princess Kate, who are said to admire the way the couple have raised their children away from the public eye. Sophie has previously spoken about wanting Louise and James to lead as normal lives as possible (Louise famously worked in a garden centre in her holidays) – including not using their royal titles.
In an interview with The Sunday Times in 2020, the mum-of-two said: “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Sophie and Kate are known to have an especially close bond – and just this week, Sophie was seen putting a reassuring hand on William’s back as a sign of support.
As for their 25th wedding anniversary celebrations, the Duke and Duchess are said to be spending the day with close friends at Royal Ascot, although they have decided to keep a low-profile and not take part in the royal carriage procession. What’s clear is that the couple’s love and devotion to each other continues to blossom, both in and out of the spotlight.
Duchess Meghan plays bedhopping, drug-snorting party-girl in never-before-seen film
A lost film featuring Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as a drug-snorting party girl is set to be released
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is set to grace our screens in a racy film where she plays a bedhopping, drug-snorting party-girl.
She may have given up acting to marry Prince Harry, but Meghan’s 2011 TV show — The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down — has been picked up for film distribution in the US.
According to The Sun, the tongue-in-cheek show follows 20-something singles clubbing and partying in LA over the course of a single night.
In a far cry from her prim and proper Suits character Rachel Zane, Meghan plays single Dana, who is shown shimmying into a skin-tight dress before a night out.
When her friend, Heather, says she didn’t think Dana was on the hunt for a new man, Dana insists: “I dress this way for me. I’m not looking for a guy tonight. Trust me.”
A voiceover explains that Meghan’s character is also jealous of Heather’s ample bust.
As Meghan cups her own breasts, the narrator adds: “She’s considering buying a pair for herself.”
Meaghan Markle in The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down movie. Picture: Supplied.
The two girls then head to a nightclub where Meghan’s character can be seen snorting a suspicious substance.
When the show was released in 2011 it only lasted one episode because TV executives decided they did not want a whole series.
But Artist Rights Distribution is planning to re-release it as a film later this year, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Meaghan Markle in The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down. Picture: Supplied.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex appears in this film. Picture: Supplied
Shortly after appearing in the racy comedy, Meghan landed the role of Rachel Zane on Suits.
WILL MEGHAN MAKE A CAMEO IN SUITS?
She fast became a fan favourite and rumours are swirling she’ll make a cameo in the show’s final season (airing later this year). Suits creators have not confirmed whether Meghan, Duches of Sussex will make a cameo in the final season of Suits. Picture: NBCUniversal Suits creator Aaron Korsh is giving nothing away.
He told website Popsugar he’d love if she reprised her role, but he’s “not currently pursuing asking Meghan to leave her position with the royal family and join us”.
After seven seasons on the legal drama, Meghan’s character Rachel Zane made her last appearance in the episode titled Goodbye in April 2018.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave Windsor Castle in a carriage after their wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, near London, England. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Dunham, file
Just one month later she tied the knot with Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The royal couple are now expecting their first child together.
This article first appeared in The Sun and is republished with permission.
Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas threatens to reveal more explosive extracts of his daughter’s letter to him
Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas is ready to release more shocking details from the private letter his daughter sent him.
Thomas Markle is prepared to release more details from a bombshell letter daughter Meghan wrote to him criticising his wayward behaviour.
Meghan accused him of “creating so much pain” and “exploiting” her relationship with Harry in an explosive five-page note.
Meghan, 37, also begged him to stop lying and let them “live our lives in peace”.
Her comments were laid bare by 74-year-old Thomas Markle, but he has yet to release them all. His daughter Samantha, 53, told The Sun : “It was nasty. Dad is prepared to release more of it.”
Pals of Meghan told a US mag she had written, asking to heal the rift which opened before her wedding last May.
Meghan Markle’s fractious relationship with her father has been laid bare. Picture: AFP
But Samantha, Meghan’s half-sis, says that was a PR move which “isn’t working”.
In elegant handwriting Meghan tells her “daddy”: “Your actions have broken my heart into a million pieces.
“You have manufactured such unnecessary and unwarranted pain, but by making the choice not to tell the truth as you are puppeteered in this. Something I will never understand.
“If you love me … allow us to live our lives in peace. Please stop lying, please stop creating so much pain, please stop exploiting my relationship with my husband.”
The letter, dated last August, revealed her fury over CCTV that proved her father staged pre-wedding photos.
Meghan wrote: “We all rallied around to support and protect you from day 1, and this you know.
“So to hear about the attacks you’ve made at Harry in the press, who was nothing but patient, kind, and understanding with you, is perhaps the most painful of all.
“For some reason you choose to continue fabricating these stories, manufacturing this fictitious narrative, and entrenching yourself deeper into this web you’ve spun.
“The only thing that helps me sleep at night is the faith and knowing that a lie can’t live forever.
“I believed you, trusted you and told you I loved you. The next morning the CCTV footage came out.”
Meghan told of her hurt at Samantha’s “lies”. She wrote: “You fixated and clicked on the lies they were writing about me, especially those manufactured by your other daughter, who I barely know. You watched me silently suffer at the hand of her vicious lies. I crumbled inside.”
Thomas Markle gave his first interview after Meghan and Harry’s wedding to IT’s Good Morning Britain. Picture: ITV
She also rubbished claims that he never asked her for money.Meghan wrote: “You’ve said I never helped you financially and you’ve never asked me for help which is also untrue; you sent me an email last October that said: ‘If I’ve depended too much on you for financial help then I’m sorry but please could you help me more not as a bargaining chip for my loyalty.”
She even claimed he ignored her after his heart attack last year. She wrote: “I have only ever loved, protected, and defended you, offering whatever financial support I could, worrying about your health … and always asking how I could help.
‘PLEASE STOP LYING’
“So the week of the wedding to hear about you having a heart attack through a tabloid was horrifying,” Meghan wrote.
“I called and texted … I begged you to accept help — we sent someone to your home … and instead of speaking to me to accept this or any help, you stopped answering your phone and chose to only speak to tabloids.”
She goes on: “You haven’t reached out to me since the week of our wedding, and while you claim you have no way of contacting me, my phone number has remained the same. This you know.
“No texts, no missed calls, no outreach from you — just more global interviews you’re being paid to do and say harmful and hurtful things that are untrue.”
Thomas wrote back, denying he ever attacked Harry, who was at Twickenham to watch England.
He added: “I wish we could get together and take a photo for the whole world to see. If you and Harry don’t like it? Fake it.”
Royal expert Ingrid Seward said: “I wouldn’t have thought there was any chance of a reconciliation now.”
