Author: bang3

After two failed cover attempts, the former Princess of Wales agreed to move forward “without seeking permission from the palace” this time

Princess Diana visits the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London on July 1, 1992 and Linda Evangelista modeling French designer Michel Klein’s women’s 1992 spring-summer ready-to-wear line in Paris. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images;  julio donoso/Sygma via Getty Images

There’s a story behind every magazine cover — and the December 1991 issue of British Vogue featuring Princess Diana is no exception.

How the cover came to be, as well as the late Princess of Wales’ friendship with then-British Vogue editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis, is covered in a recent episode of the podcast Blow Up: When Liz Tilberis Transformed Bazaar, a six-part series that examines the woman who went on to helm Harper’s Bazaar before her death in 1999 from ovarian cancer.

Princess Diana on the cover of the December 1991 issue of “British Vogue,” as shot by photographer Patrick Demarchelier.Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue Magazine

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Long before that, though, was Diana’s 1991 British Vogue cover, which Tilberis orchestrated. The cover happened after two previous failed attempts, both of which were shot down by the palace, according to the podcast. But, when it came to the cover that finally took — shot by photographer Patrick Demarchelier and featuring a closeup of Diana with a short haircut, long nails and wearing a black turtleneck — none other than supermodel Linda Evangelista might have been the one to push it over the line and actually make Tilberis’ long-held dream happen.

In the fall of 1991 at a reception for the British Fashion Council Awards, Princess Diana asked Tilberis to introduce her to Evangelista.

“Diana had always wanted to meet Linda,” said Patrick Jephson, Diana’s former private secretary. “She was intrigued by the supermodels, because those girls were the superstars of the time. And she was intrigued as to how they coped with the fame, you know?”

Left to right, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Gianni Versace, Claudia Schiffer and Carla Bruni in 1991. Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Diana, after all, did know a thing or two about being famous. When they met, “I think she asked us, Christy and Naomi, if we, if our diet was, like, McDonald’s and cigarettes,” Evangelista said. “At that point, it was whatever I wanted to eat, you know?”

Tilberis and Princess Diana’s hairstylist Sam McKnight hatched a plan for the four of them to have breakfast together at Joe’s Cafe, owned by a friend of Tilberis and attached to Joseph’s of London. “It was very trendy in Chelsea, where all the cool stores are,” McKnight said.

They wanted somewhere “where we can talk, we can all chat and giggle,” McKnight added. “And we don’t want anyone to see us. It was going to be a private thing. So Liz arranged for them to open the cafe early. Now, the princess would have been absolutely mortified if she had thought they had opened up just for her. So they had to kind of pretend they were open.”

Princess Diana and Liz Tilberis attend the Council of Fashion Designers of America Gala Ball in New York City.Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images

To make it not look like they had closed down just for Princess Diana, Tilberis and McKnight cast attractive people to sit at the tables of the cafe and pretend to be patrons — though they were really the staff of Joseph’s.  They were asked to sit at the cafe’s tables, “and so it looked like it was fancy,” McKnight said. (Princess Diana didn’t know about this ruse, nor did Evangelista, the latter revealed in the episode.)

“I was nervous because I really loved her and I respected her,” Evangelista said of the former Princess of Wales. “And then you meet her. I just remember how lovely she was. And we had some giggles, and she was, like, very open and honest.”

McKnight added of the sit-down, “There was no sort of world-changing chat. It was chit chat, you know — it was kind of giggling and gossiping.”

The secret mission of the cafe meetup, McKnight said, was for Tilberis to convince Diana to let her use the closeup shot taken by Demarchelier for the December 1991 cover.

A photograph of Princess Diana shot by Patrick Demarchelier that was turned down for the December 1990 cover of ‘British Vogue’ by the palace.

Tilberis had tried two times before to get Diana to appear on the cover of British Vogue. The first, an informal shot photographed by Demarchelier, was a black-and-white image of Diana playing with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry in a barn at the family’s country home, Highgrove. The palace said no to the cover. Later, British Vogue wanted to put a more formal shot of Diana in a tiara on its cover. The palace, again, said no.

“There was no explanation, but Liz had a feeling it was a way of reining in the princess, whose restlessness was becoming publicly apparent,” Blow Up co-host Cynthia True said.

At last, in Joe’s Cafe, it was an urge from Evangelista that pushed Diana over the line. By the end of their breakfast date, Diana said yes to appearing on the cover, “and told Liz to move forward with the chosen photo without seeking permission from the palace,” True said. “She would handle it.”

“And Liz got a magnificent cover,” McKnight said on the show. “And she did not force, she waited for it to organically happen, you know?”

Princess Diana speaking in January 1995 at the CFDA party in New York City.Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The December 1991 edition of British Vogue went on to become a bestseller, and featured Princess Diana on the cover of the magazine for the first time in 10 years. The following month, Tilberis was named editor-in-chief at Harper’s Bazaar.

Her friendship with Princess Diana certainly didn’t end after Tilberis finally landed her coveted Princess of Wales cover, though. The two met because British Vogue editors advised the Princess of Wales on her official wardrobe, and by the time Tilberis became editor-in-chief of the magazine in 1987 after the departure of Anna Wintour for Vogue’s American iteration, she and Diana were friends who had lunch together frequently, bonding over both being mothers of young boys.

The two took part in what the podcast called  “marathon phone calls” after Tilberis moved to New York City to accept the job at Harper’s Bazaar in 1992. “Liz was, I would say, kind of like a big sister-ish figure, a big sister that accepted Diana as she was,” Jephson said.

After Tilberis’ ovarian cancer diagnosis in 1993, according to the episode, Princess Diana was one of the first to call when she was out of the hospital and stayed in touch with her almost every day, either by phone or via a handwritten note transmitted by fax.

“She called a lot and they would have a lot of chats,” said Tilberis’ former assistant Stephanie Albertson. “That was a very real friendship, and I remember once she called and the message was, ‘I’m just watching a movie with the kids.’ And what did she say? She said something like, ‘I’m sitting in bed eating popcorn with the kids — just have her call me back.’ ”

Princess Diana at Eton for Prince William’s first day there on Sept. 6, 1995. Tom Wargacki/WireImage

As Tilberis underwent chemotherapy, “Diana distracted her with light gossip about mutual acquaintances in London, and Liz ignored the frequent call waiting beeps,” according to True. “ ‘What’s that?’ the princess asked. When Liz explained, Diana sounded relieved. In England, she said it would be MI5. The Ministry of Intelligence was rumored at that time to have bugged the princess’ phone.”

According to Jephson, “A lot of what I saw in the friendship between Liz and Diana was an acceptance of there being no need to be anything other than yourself. And for Diana, that was refreshing and different and rare, because she didn’t have the kind of husband or partner that luckier people have in whose presence she could relax and be herself. So when she had a friend like Liz, who didn’t expect her to be anything more than she was, who didn’t want her to be anything other than happy and relaxed, this was, I think, a weight lifted from her shoulders.”

For Tilberis’ part, according to True, she said there were very few people, apart from Diana, who knew how to talk to someone with a cancer diagnosis.

Princess Diana and Liz Tilberis attending the 1996 Met Gala.Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images

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When it came to photographing Diana for British Vogue, Tilberis felt that previous portraits of her for the magazine were too formal, failing to capture the warm, funny woman Tilberis knew so well. They shared a sense of humor, and at one of their many lunches, when Tilberis complimented Diana on her Chanel loafers, Diana answered dryly that the entwined Cs of the fashion house’s logo stood for Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who were by now known to be romantically involved, something Princess Diana was perhaps more aware of than most anyone.

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When Tilberis won an award at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Princess Diana honored her friend in a speech in New York City in January 1995. Tilberis then accompanied Princess Diana at what would become her one and only Met Gala appearance, which took place in December 1996 with the newly divorced Diana wearing Dior. Though it was widely known that Tilberis was ill, absolutely no one would have expected that Diana would die before her dear friend, losing her life as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident on Aug. 31, 1997 at just 36 years old — two years before Tilberis herself died of cancer at 51 years old on April 21, 1999.

Dozens of turkeys, hams, cakes, cheeses, mince pies, vintage champagne and fine wines – no corners are cut when the shopping list for the royal Christmas get-together is compiled. Queen Elizabeth II’s former chef Darren McGrady catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 80s and 90s and spoke to OK! about his time running the kitchen.

“They’ve always been very traditional, so the royals eat the same things every year. They’re no different to most families in not wanting to mess around with the food at Christmas,” he explans. The festive feasting has always begun on Christmas Eve, with the family arriving at Sandringham in time for an afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches and cake.

The Royal Family will eat Christmas dinner at Sandringham House ( 
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Getty Images)

After the customary exchange of presents, the evening revolves around a formal banquet in the dining room. Assisted by five other chefs, Darren would cater for up to 20 of the senior royals, as well as the children and about 100 staff members.

“For the Christmas Eve dinner we’d serve a fish course, salad and then often venison from the Sandringham estate,” he tells us. “Dessert was typically a tarte tatin or chocolate perfection pie, which Queen Elizabeth loved. Chocolate was one of her biggest weaknesses.”

The drinks offering is a carefully planned ritual, too. “They would always start with gin and Dubonnet in the early evening, and then the Yeoman of the Royal Cellar would serve champagnes and fine wines at dinner.”

The royals would raise their glasses during the festive season ( 
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AFP via Getty Images)
During mealtimes, a series of rules are rigorously observed. Darren recalls, “No one sat down until the Queen came in, and nobody began eating until she did. As soon as she put her knife and fork down, that course was over and we’d start clearing away. Dinner service is run to military precision.” He believes certain regulations are likely to remain in place now King Charles is at the head of the table.

“I’ve done state banquets for many US presidents – including Reagan and Clinton – and the same rules apply,” he explains. “Although we may now have a more modern King, I think things will still be formal and Charles will keep a lot of the customs going.”

After dinner on Christmas Eve, Darren had another important role. “As soon as I’d served the coffee, I’d rush upstairs and change because I was resident DJ for the staff disco, and I’d spin the decks from 10pm until 1am. One year, Princess Diana turned up with Princess Margaret’s daughter Sarah Armstrong-Jones!”

The former royal chef revealed details of how the royals celebrate Christmas ( 
Image:
Bettmann Archive)
Of course, Christmas Day is the main event, and for the royals it tends to begin with a cooked breakfast for the men, with the women eating continental breakfasts in their bedrooms while getting ready for the day ahead.

Revealing some of the family quirks, Darren says, “The Queen Mother would insist on bringing her own china, and Charles always liked to have a pair of freshly poached plums from Highgrove, served in a little finger bowl. He’d also have a box of assorted muesli, dried fruits and honey.”

The family are seated for Christmas lunch at 1.15pm sharp, with local Norfolk-reared turkey the star attraction. “They’d always have roast turkey and chestnut stuffing, with mashed and roast potatoes, plus lots of vegetables like parsnips and carrots.”

Certain ingredients were off-limits. “We never used garlic when cooking for the Queen – it was considered antisocial,” says Darren. “We had to avoid strong onions too, because the monarch doesn’t want to be breathing that on people.”

The Royal Family’s Christmas is surprisingly ordinary ( 
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In all, six turkeys would be prepped and cooked. “Two for the royal dining room, one for the nursery and three more for the staff dining room,” says Darren. It was non-stop for us in the kitchen from 6am until around 2.30pm, when the chefs sat down and ate lunch. We’d finish just in time to watch the Queen’s speech.”

Darren was not a fan of seeing the royal children – then comprising Zara and Peter Phillips, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Princes William and Harry – eating in the nursery without their parents.

He says, “It’s just royal tradition, and what they did whenever the Queen was present. But in later years I think that’s why William and Kate chose to eat Christmas lunch at Anmer Hall, because they didn’t want to be separated from their children.”

The Royal Family have many special Christmas traditions ( 
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Tim Graham/Getty Images)
While many of the traditions are likely to be the same today, Charles may be even stricter on the sourcing of produce than in previous years. “The King will definitely insist on organic food,” Darren says. “He’ll also want local, indigenous produce which is in season rather than shipped in. So there will be no strawberries on the menu on Christmas Day.”

Though today’s royals are likely to have individual dietary requirements, that was not the case for Darren and his team. “In those days, nobody wanted gluten-free, dairy-free, or lactose-free.

“The attitude was that you were dining with the Queen, so you had whatever was on your plate. If you didn’t like it, you didn’t eat. It was as simple as that.” Most festive feasts end with a flaming Christmas pudding, and the royals typically enjoy their own bespoke variety.

The Royal Family have many special Christmas traditions ( 
Image:
Buckingham Palace via Getty Imag)

“The puddings were made in London before we went up to Sandringham, which meant we were well ahead of the game,” says Darren. “Because everything was always so organised, it was never a stressful experience.”

After all the eating, the royals like to walk around the estate in order to sharpen the appetite for afternoon tea – which includes sandwiches, mince pies and plenty of naughty treats. “The whole family used to devour our chocolate Yule log, and we’d make three Christmas cakes too,” reveals Darren.

As if that weren’t enough, an evening spread of cold meats, chutneys, cheeses and biscuits is served, too. “Harrods were the royal purveyors then, and they’d send a huge hamper containing things like foie gras en croute and beautiful whole stiltons for the Christmas night buffet,” says Darren. “There was certainly never a shortage of good things to eat.”

Royal fans have been delighted to see the Princess of Wales back on public duties with the Royal Family yet again.

Kate has carried out public appearances for two consecutive days for Remembrance weekend – her first time in doing so since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year and her subsequent chemotherapy treatment. Today she made a rare appearance at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph – a sign of both her gradual return to duties and the importance the royal family places on the annual tribute to the fallen after being at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last night.

The Princess of Wales at the Cenotaph today ( 
Image:
Jonathan Buckmaster)

Kate wore her iconic engagement ring at the Festival of Remembrance last night ( 
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In her few appearances before today’s service, including her emotional video where she opened up about her chemotherapy treatment being over, and during a poignant visit to Southport after the fatal stabbings in the town, Kate swapped her engagement ring in favour of a new ring.

At nearly all royal engagements prior to her cancer treatment, Kate would be seen wearing her blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to William’s late mother Princess Diana. But then she plumped for a new one, also set with sapphires and diamonds, much like her engagement ring. During her visit to Southport, it was stacked with her gold wedding band as well as a further eternity ring, which she also usually wears.

The Prince and Princess of Wales on a visit to Southport where Kate wore a different ring ( 
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Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)

Kate’s recent jewellery choices have sparked speculation with royal watchers, as many wondered whether the new ring could have been a gift from William, particularly given the family have endured such a “brutal” year. Royal historian Tessa Dunlop also told the Mirror she believes that Kate’s new ring symbolises the strong sense of “togetherness” between the Prince and Princess of Wales.

But when Kate and other senior royals stepped out for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, royal fans noticed she she was wearing her engagement ring again. She looked radiant as she arrived at the famous west London venue, dressed in an elegant black dress alongside her husband. The blue sapphire dazzled in pictures from the event.

It remains unclear whether Kate wore her engagement ring for Sunday’s service as she was wearing gloves, but it was clear that she chose poignant jewellery to mark the occasion.

The Duchess of Edinburgh with the Princess of Wales at the Cenotaph today ( 
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Dressed in black in keeping with tradition, brave Kate looked the part in a netted hat, with her hair in a twisted chignon, and a military-style coat featuring black epaulettes, embellished at the neck with a black velvet bow.

The Princess also wore diamond and pearl drop earrings which belonged to the late Queen. She also wore her silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch – in a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief – beneath her three poppies. Kate also wore three red poppies, often rumoured to be in honour of her great-grandmother’s three brothers, who all lost their lives in the First World War.

There was considerable confusion at the time of the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan‘s son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

And just how the couple managed to successfully keep his arrival private is revealed by Harry in his memoir Spare, which was re-released in paperback last month.

Since Meghan was a week past her due date in May 2019, the couple secretly visited the Portland Hospital to ‘make sure nothing’s wrong’, though they were well-prepared for Archie’s arrival.

‘We got into a nondescript people-carrier and crept away from Frogmore without alerting any of the journalists stationed at the gates,’ Harry writes.

Within two hours of the birth, the couple had returned to Frogmore Cottage without arousing any suspicion.

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There was considerable confusion surrounding the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019

Their doctor decided it was time to induce labour, and Meghan was given a canister of laughing gas to help ease the process.

Meanwhile, Harry, who had ordered Nando’s via his bodyguards, took a hit from the gas meant for his wife.

‘I took several slow, penetrating hits. Meg, bouncing on a giant purple ball, a proven way of giving nature a push, laughed and rolled her eyes.

‘I took several more hits and now I was bouncing too,’ Harry reveals.

‘When her contractions began to quicken and deepen, a nurse came and tried to give some laughing gas to Meg. There was none left. The nurse looked at the tank, looked at me, and I could see the thought slowly dawning: Gracious, the husband’s had it all.’

Fortunately, the nurse saw the humour in the situation and replaced the canister for Meghan.

The duchess settled into the bath, immersing herself in the calming sounds of Deva Premal’s Sanskrit mantras, which had been remixed into hymns.

Harry set the ambiance by arranging electric candles – the same ones he had used during his proposal to Meghan – around the room.

Among the items in her overnight bag was a framed photograph of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

He noted in his memoir that this touching tribute was Meghan’s idea.

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Since Meghan was a week past her due date, she and Harry secretly visited The Portland Hospital to ‘make sure nothing’s wrong’, though they were well-prepared for Archie’s arrival (pictured in 2019)

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Within two hours of the birth, the couple had returned to Frogmore Cottage without arousing any suspicion (pictured in 2019)

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In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry reveals that he inhaled most of Meghan’s laughing gas – and the cannister had to be replaced (pictured in 2019)

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Meghan gave birth to her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, at The Portland Hospital on May 6, 2019

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In keeping with tradition, Buckingham Palace announced the birth of Archie the following day

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Within two hours of the birth, Harry and Meghan had returned to Frogmore Cottage without arousing any suspicion

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A few hours later, Harry spoke to journalists at Windsor to reveal his son’s name

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Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare, was re-released in paperback this week

Despite Meghan’s efforts to breathe through the discomfort, the intensity became overwhelming and she ultimately had to receive two epidurals.

‘The anaesthetist hurried in. Off went the music, on went the lights,’ Harry writes.

There was a brief moment of concern when the umbilical cord was discovered to be wrapped around the baby, but soon after, their healthy son was born.

Harry reflects on this experience in his book, offering an intimate glimpse into their journey through childbirth.

‘A nurse swept the baby into a towel and placed him on Meg’s chest and we both cried to see him, meet him,’ he says.

‘Our ayurvedic doctor had advised us that, in the first minute of life, a baby absorbs everything said to them. So whisper to the baby, tell the baby your wish for him, your love. Tell.

‘We told.’

Within two hours of Meghan giving birth, she and Harry had returned to Frogmore Cottage.

It was only at this point that an announcement was made about Meghan going into labour, leading to a disagreement between the prince and his head of communications, Sara Latham.

‘I had a tiff with Sara about that. You know she’s not in labour any more, I said.

‘She explained that the Press must be given the dramatic, suspenseful story they demanded.

‘But it’s not true, I said.’

The couple’s swift return home and the timing of the announcement sparked significant media attention and speculation surrounding the birth of Archie.

A few hours later, Harry spoke to journalists outside the stables at Windsor to reveal his son’s name.

‘The papers were incensed. They said we’d pulled a fast one on them,’ he writes.

‘Indeed we had.’

Prince Harry suffered an embarrassing moment on US TV when the top fact Americans knew about him was revealed to be he’s married to Meghan Markle.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, who  lives in Montecito, California, was chosen as the subject matter in a round of Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey.

The gameshow, which has been airing since 1976, sees two families competing for a cash prize by naming the most popular responses to survey questions that have been posed to 100 members of the public.

In the latest episode, the Hernandez family went head-to-head with the Colleys – and were tasked with providing the six most well known facts about the Duke of Sussex, who has been living in the US since 2020.

At the beginning of the round, host Steve Harvey invited one member from both teams to approach the podium and told them that this round was about Prince Harry.

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The Duke of Sussex (pictured with Meghan Markle) , 40, was chosen as the subject matter in a round of Family Feud

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In the latest episode of Family Feud, the Hernandez family (pictured) went head-to-head with the Colleys – and were tasked with providing the six most well known facts about the Duke of Sussex

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Pictured: the six most common things Americans know about Prince Harry, according to a Family Feud survey

The first person to get an answer right then passes the baton back to their family, who have a chance to guess the remaining survey questions and win the round.

Within two seconds, Fabian Hernandez hit his buzzer and answered: ‘He’s married to Meghan Markle.’

Unimpressed by this response, the gameshow host said: ‘Come on, boy!’

However, the board confirmed that this answer was actually the most common fact the US population knows about the Prince.

Once Fabian was back with his team, Sofia Hernandez correctly guessed that Harry being a Prince was another survey answer. This proved to be the fourth most popular fact out of the six.

After this, Robert Hernandez said: ‘I don’t know much about him but I know [he’s] got money.’

Unfortunately for the team, Prince Harry’s wealth wasn’t one of the most common responses, which earned the Hernandez family their first strike. Each team is allowed three in total before it is passed onto their rivals.

Next, Marisa Hernandez guessed Prince William being Prince Harry’s brother would be another popular survey answer, which also didn’t feature.

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At the beginning of the round, host Steve Harvey (pictured) invited one member from both teams to approach the podium and told them that this round was about Prince Harry

Kristina Hernandez then suggested that most people would know Prince Harry is the son of Princess Diana – which was the second most common answer on the board, below his marriage to Meghan.

Following this train of thought, Fabian put forward Prince Harry’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth – earning the Hernandez family their third strike.

Once the round was passed over to the Colley family, Drake immediately put forward Prince Harry’s ginger hair – which was the third most popular fact Americans know about the Duke.

This correct answer won the Colley family the round – with Steve Harvey going on to reveal that they would have also accepted ‘balding’ and ‘hottie!’ as a response too.

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King Charles, Princess Diana pictured with their sons Prince William and Prince Harry (left), December 1986. Prince Harry’s mother was the second most common answer in the latest episode of Family Feud

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Family Feud host Steve Harvey revealed at the end of the round of Prince Harry that they would have also accepted ‘balding’ and ‘hottie’ as answers

Last month, Prince Harry was named the 25th ‘hottest man of all time’ by Harper’s Bazaar magazine – beating Bradley Cooper and David Beckham in the rankings.

Months after his move to the US in 2020, Prince Harry was also named the ‘world’s sexiest royal’ by People magazine.

Earlier this year, it was revealed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation had been sending out personalised letters to unregistered voters and insisting that ‘every voice matters’ – despite insisting they are politically neutral and they have not mentioned any candidates.

In 2020 the couple did not endorse a candidate but urged Americans to vote in the ‘most important election of our lifetime’. Meghan even cold-called Americans urging them to vote.

This was interpreted by many as backing Joe Biden, including by Donald Trump, who said he was ‘no fan’ of the former Suits star and Harry luck ‘because he’s going to need it’.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with King Charles and the rest of the royal family following a tumultuous year for them.

On Friday, The Mirror reported that William and Kate, both 42, will join senior members of The Firm for the annual Christmas Day Service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 25.

It will be a special Christmas for the family as they come together after what has been a difficult year following Charles, 76, and Kate’s back-to-back cancer diagnoses.

Sources told the newspaper Charles, who is currently in Sandringham, is ‘delighted’ that the whole family will be together for the holidays – with the monarch reportedly overseeing the planning himself.

One insider said: ‘The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.’

Charles and Camilla are reportedly spending the weekend at the Norfolk estate, with one source explaining how Charles is ‘enjoying time outdoors’ as he continues his cancer treatment.

Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.

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It will be a special Christmas for the family as they come together after what has been a difficult year – following Charles, 76, and Kate’s back-to-back cancer diagnoses

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk

William previously described 2024 as the ‘hardest year of my life’ as the future King opened up about the health challenges faced by his father and wife.

Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer after she was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone for an abdominal operation in January.

While Charles is still undergoing treatment, the future Queen announced she has completed a preventative course of chemotherapy – and will make a gradual return to public life following the diagnosis.

Reports about the Royal Family’s Christmas plans come days after it was reported that Kate will undertake her most significant public engagement since she began cancer treatment as she welcomes the Emir of Qatar for his official state visit to the UK next month.

Catherine will accompany her husband Prince William to officially greet the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, at their residence on December 3 and accompany them to Horse Guards Parade for a stunning ceremonial welcome.

The King and Queen will be waiting to greet the guests before accompanying them back to Buckingham Palace.

It is expected that the princess, who announced in September a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment, will join the Royal Family at the palace for lunch.

But it has been confirmed that she will not attend a glittering State Banquet in the evening.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Southport Community Centre on October 10

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The Princess of Wales will undertake her most significant public engagement since she began cancer treatment next month

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Catherine will accompany her husband to officially greet the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, at their residence on December 3 and accompany them to Horse Guards Parade for a ceremonial welcome

Kate shares intimate glimpse into her family life in moving video

A royal source described the announcement of her attendance at some elements of the visit, however, as ‘good news’.

The princess has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance events and Wimbledon over the last eleven months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health.

But next month’s appearance will be her most significant so far given that she will be playing an active role in events.

Victoria, who has suffered from hormonal acne in the past, defended her regime

SHE’S up early for an ice-cold wash, full-body workout and £2,000 electric face mask session – and that’s all before she tackles the school run.

A day in the life of Victoria Beckham is a terrifyingly well-organised affair.

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A day in the life of Victoria Beckham, pictured with David, is a terrifyingly well-organised affairCredit: Rex

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Victoria flexes her muscles as she does her workoutCredit: Instagram

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Once she has her face on, Victoria dashes downstairs to join husband David for a weights workout with their personal trainer BobbyCredit: Instagram

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Victoria said: ‘Harper says I can burn water, so it’s probably better for everyone that I don’t’Credit: Ruckas
But the mum of four is the first to admit she is a control freak and runs a tight ship.

In a revealing new interview, Victoria, 50, has told how she is on the go from the moment she wakes up, filming the sunrise and her make-up routine to use on her social media.

“I like to find good light in front of a window because I don’t want to use crazy filters,” she explained.

“The number of people who say, ‘Why are you showing one side of your face . . . ’

“I’m like, ‘Give me a break’. I don’t have a script, I’m holding the phone and trying to film myself applying make-up at the same time.”

Once she has her face on, Victoria dashes downstairs to join husband David for a weights workout with their personal trainer Bobby.

While David, 49, then pops off for an invigorating ice bath, Posh spends 30 minutes lying under her £2,000 mega Dermalux infrared light to calm and soothe her skin.

Not a moment is wasted, though, as she uses the time to meditate or strategise.

Next it is time to dispatch the youngest of the Beckham brood, Harper, 13, off to school.

Victoria is a stickler for good manners in all four of the Beckham children, explaining: “I can’t bear kids who grunt.”
Victoria Beckham supported by famous family at her Paris Fashion Week show as son Cruz cosies up to stunning girlfriend Jackie Apostel
She then pops on her most prized possession, a gold watch from Golden Balls.

Inscribed with “Mummy we love you”, it was given to her by David when she got her OBE for services to fashion and charity in 2017.

Later, off she heads to her fashion HQ a couple of miles from the Beckhams’ West London mansion, dressed head to toe in her trademark black.

Gone are the low-rise jeans and crop tops of her Spice Girls days — Victoria sold off her pop star wardrobe for charity years ago.

Once at her desk, she admits: “I obsess over every single detail. Everything has to have a reason for existing. It’s great when people recognise that.”

Of course, David is a fan of her luxury beauty range.

Apparently, the former England captain usually cannot stand hand creams because the strong fragrances put him off his food. But he loves his wife’s Portofino ’97 moisturiser, priced £38.

“That’s praise, let me tell you,” said Victoria.

It is hardly surprising, since the cream was named after the pair’s romantic trip to the Italian resort when they first got together in 1997.

On her entrepreneurial eldest son, Brooklyn, 25, Victoria went on to reveal how he has inherited her obsessive nature when it comes to business decisions.

“I see a lot of me in him,” she said.

She proudly boasted how hands-on Brooklyn was when it came to creating his Cloud23 hot sauce range, which launched last month.

‘I obsess over every single detail’

“Brooklyn was all over every single aspect — not just the contents, but the bottle, the lid,” said Victoria.

“It’s not easy for him but I’ve told him he has to be patient. Look how long it’s taken me.”

Unsurprisingly, mealtimes for Victoria are tightly controlled, too. She has not eaten meat since age eight. Very occasionally, she treats herself to a vodka, lime and soda cocktail, known as a Skinny B*tch.
And she never cooks.

Victoria said: “Harper says I can burn water, so it’s probably better for everyone that I don’t.”

David once revealed his wife has the same meal every day, saying: “She only eats grilled fish, steamed vegetables — she will rarely deviate from that.”

But Victoria, who has suffered from hormonal acne in the past, defended her regime, explaining: “It was because of my skin that I became very careful about what I ate.”

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Posh spends 30 minutes lying under her £2,000 mega Dermalux infrared light to calm and soothe her skin
All those years of self-control have paid off. Speaking to The Telegraph Magazine after winning their Beauty Brand of the Year award, Victoria said she finally feels confident about her skin and has stopped stressing about what the public think of her.

She added: “Was there a time when I used to scroll through all the comments about me? Probably. But now I just don’t have the time.

“If you’d told me years ago I’d step on to a red carpet wearing only a bit of concealer and no foundation, I’d have thought you were mad — but that’s what I did last week.”

David has also won round his fiercest critics. Last year, Netflix aired the Beckham documentary, taking a look at his early years as a footballer, including when he enraged England fans by being sent off during the 1998 World Cup for kicking an Argentina player.

We’re glass half full people. All of us

Victoria Beckham

Victoria revealed: “After it came out, a man left a note on David’s car saying, ‘Dear David, on behalf of the British public, we’re really sorry. We loved the documentary’. That was really, really sweet.

“I got emotional when I watched the part with David and me dancing. Even Brooklyn said, ‘How many takes did you need for that?’. But nothing was rehearsed.”

The Beckhams are not the sort to complain, at least not publicly.

Victoria said: “We’re glass half full people. All of us.

“We were watching Inside Out [a children’s film featuring emotions as characters] the other day, and the kids said, ‘You’re Joy, Mum’.

David Beckham praised his wife Victoria Beckham on Thursday as he celebrated her Dover Street store’s 10th anniversary. 

The former footballer, 49, took to his Instagram to share an adorable family snap of himself, his daughter Harper, 13, and his wife, 50, all smiles as he congratulated his wife.

He captioned the snap with: ‘Celebrating 10yrs of Victoria’s Dover Street store. Love what you’ve created with the space @roseuniake @victoriabeckham.’

During the event, Victoria looked nothing short of sensational as she cut a stylish figure in a black lace bodysuit with a sheer design and a plunging neckline.

The fashion designer teamed the bodysuit with a chic oversized tuxedo which boasted satin lapels and opted for a pair of black flared trousers.

Meanwhile, David wrapped up warm in a stylish navy blue double-breasted coat and navy trousers.

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David Beckham praised his wife Victoria Beckham on Thursday as he celebrated her Dover Street store’s 10th anniversary

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The former footballer, 49, took to his Instagram to share a slew of snaps with his followers and in one snap he appeared in his element as he got the party going with his DJ skills

In another sweet snap, David beamed as he posed with his daughter Harper who wrapped up warm for the evening wearing a chic black coat.

During the event, the president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF appeared in his element as he popped on a pair of green Bowers & Wilkins headphones and got the party going with his DJ skills.

Her store’s 10th-anniversary bash comes after she admitted she ‘cares less’ about the idea of being famous now.

Victoria shot to fame alongside Geri Halliwell, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Melanie C as part of the Spice Girls in the late 1990s.

They became the best-selling girl group of all time, and Victoria later had a brief solo career before going on into the world of fashion.

But the star – who is also known for her marriage to footballer David – recently admitted that the idea of fame doesn’t really appeal now.

She told Harper’s Bazaar magazine: ‘I suppose it used to be fun to go out and be chased by paparazzi walking down Bond Street – and you would dress knowing you were going to get that. I don’t want that anymore.’

‘I’ve been doing this too long. I suppose I did when I was growing up but, nowadays, there’s just too much going on; too busy; too many kids to worry about.’

Victoria Beckham showcases new partywear collection at event

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In another sweet snap, David beamed as he posed with his daughter Harper who wrapped up warm for the evening wearing a chic black coat

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Meanwhile, his wife Victoria looked nothing short of sensational as she cut a stylish figure in a black lace bodysuit with a sheer design and a plunging neckline

‘I woke up at 50, and I gave a s*** less.’

Victoria has Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 19, as well as daughter Harper with David, and her eldest has recently spoken out about being a nepo baby.

Brooklyn told Grazia: ‘Obviously I am one. But I couldn’t help how I was born, at all.’

While he understands why the public can feel irked by nepo babies, Brooklyn said he tries to ignore the ‘rubbish’ people say rather than dwell on it.

He added: ‘There’s always going to be people that say rubbish. But as long as you do something that makes you happy and you’re kind to people, that’s all that matters.’

‘I’m always gonna get it, no matter what I do. And I’m fine with that. It makes me work harder, because I’m like, I’m gonna prove these people wrong.’

Prince William has spoken in depth about a heartbreaking realisation he had when he was just a child in a candid documentary.

The future king has served as patron of the homeless charity The Passage since 2019, following in the footsteps of his mother who also championed the cause. And it was the first charity organisation that William visited with Princess Diana in 1993.

Speaking in the two-part documentary Prince William : We Can End Homelessness, William reflected on the visit saying: “My mother took me to The Passage; she took Harry and I both there. I must have been 11 at the time, maybe 10. I had never been to anything like that before, and I was a bit anxious about what to expect. I remember having some good conversations, playing chess, chatting and that’s when it dawned on me that there were other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do. You know, when you’re quite small, you just think life is what you see in front of you and you don’t really have concept to look elsewhere.

“It’s when you meet people, as I did then, who put a different perspective in your head and say, ‘Well, I was living on the street last night,’ and you’re like, ‘Woah.’ I remember that happening.”

Prince William with Princess Diana and Prince Harry during a visit to The Passage ( 
Image:
PA)

William also spoke about his mother’s natural way of putting those around her at ease. “My mother went about her usual, making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone,” he recalled. “I remember at the time kind of thinking, ‘Well, if everyone doesn’t have a home, they’re all going to be really sad.’ But it was incredible how happy an environment it was.”

The Passage, which was founded in 1980 to provide practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of homeless people. Since his first visit with his mother, William has returned on a number of occasions to show his support for the charity and in 2009, he slept rough for a night to better understand the plight of those without a roof over their heads.

It’s a cause close to William’s heart, not least because his late mother Princess Diana raised him to understand how fortunate life behind the palace wales is. It’s a message he, in turn, is passing on to his own children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

“I am starting to introduce homelessness to my children on the school run. The first few times I thought, ‘Do I bring this up or should I wait to see if anybody noticed?’ Sure enough they did and they were just sort-of silent,” he said. “After I said what was going on, I could see their brains try to work out what that means. I do think it’s really important that we start those conversations when the children are small so they’re not just living, you know, in their own little worlds.”

Prince William was just 15 when his mother Princess Diana died. But her influence continues to shape his life to this very day.

William has spoken on a number of occasions about the loss of his mother, who was tragically killed at the age of 36 in a car crash in Paris. And she was at the forefront of his mind when he revisited one of the most impactful moments of his childhood in a recent documentary.

In the show, titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, William reflected on how his mother Diana first introduced him to the issue of homelessness by taking him and Harry to The Passage, a UK charity supporting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, when he was 11.

And he shared a touching memory about watching his mum interact with those around them. “My mother went about her usual way, making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone,” he recalled. “I remember at the time kind of thinking, ‘Well, if everyone doesn’t have a home, they’re all going to be really sad.’ But it was incredible how happy an environment it was.”

Reflecting further on the experience, William continued, “I remember having some good conversations, playing chess, chatting and that’s when it dawned on me that there were other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do. You know, when you’re quite small, you just think life is what you see in front of you and you don’t really have concept to look elsewhere. It’s when you meet people, as I did then, who put a different perspective in your head and say, ‘Well, I was living on the street last night,’ and you’re like, ‘Woah.’ I remember that happening.”

The Passage was founded in 1980 to provide practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of homeless people. Since his first visit with his mother, William has returned on a number of occasions to show his support for the charity; in 2009, he slept rough for a night with Centrepoint to better understand the plight of those without a roof over their heads.

Ending homelessness is an issue close to William’s heart, not least because his late mother was such a champion of the cause. Princess Diana also raised her sons to understand how fortunate life their life behind the palace walls was – and it’s a message William is now passing on to his own children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

“I am starting to introduce homelessness to my children on the school run. The first few times I thought, ‘Do I bring this up or should I wait to see if anybody noticed?’ Sure enough they did and they were just sort-of silent,” he said. “After I said what was going on, I could see their brains try to work out what that means. I do think it’s really important that we start those conversations when the children are small so they’re not just living, you know, in their own little worlds.”