Author: bang5

Meghan Markle joined Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Canada where she was seen wearing a royal signet ring – and we want to hear your thoughts on the Sussexes rejoining the Firm

Meghan Markle was spotted wearing a royal signet ring during her visit to the Invictus Games in Canada, and we want to know if you would like to see the Sussexes rejoin the Firm?

The new piece of jewellery was sported on Meghan’s right hand, and boasts the couple’s joint cypher which was unveiled after their marriage in 2018. The personalised monogram consists of the letters ‘H’ and ‘M’ in cursive, with a coronet above featuring two cross pattées, four fleurs-de-lys, and two strawberry leaves.

The emblem starred on their previous Sussex Royal website and social media accounts until they stepped down from royal duties in 2020. It was also used on their letterheads until 2021, before being replaced by their Archewell logo.

Eagle-eyed royal fans have highlighted how the signet ring resembles the one worn by Harry’s father, King Charles. It comes as Meghan joined Harry for the Invictus Games, a tournament founded in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex to support wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

The international multi-sport event will head back to the UK for the 2027 edition, but one royal expert is convinced Meghan will not attend. Speaking to The Mirror US, host of the To Di For Daily podcast Kinsey Schofield said: “I currently lean towards Meghan not attending Prince Harry’s 2027 Invictus Games in the UK because we have seen Meghan prioritise herself and her mental health over the last few years.

“I know that Meghan is currently not comfortable with the idea of returning to the UK. Prince Harry’s security concerns are a huge reason and compliment Meghan’s media insecurity. She fears returning and being rejected, booed. She feels vulnerable there.

The Duchess hasn’t returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, and has skipped a number of royal milestones over the past five years, including the King’s coronation. After stepping down from the Firm, the Sussexes moved to Montecito, where they now reside with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The expert added: “I do not believe that Meghan has any desire to return to the UK anytime soon. She felt freshly attacked after being asked to stay behind in the last few hours of the Queen’s life… then was furious months later when they received word that Frogmouth Cottage would no longer be their UK base. She feels defenseless in the UK and unwelcome.”

In his book Endgame, author Omid Scobie claimed that Meghan “never wants to set foot” in the UK again, adding that she “doesn’t want anything to do” with the Firm. Since being spotted donning her royal cypher, we want to know if you’d like to see Harry and Meghan rejoin the Royal Family. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Meghan Markle has revealed her American Riviera Orchard brand name has been ditched in favour of new name As Ever – and brand experts have weighed in on the last-minute U-turn ahead of the launch of her Netflix series

Meghan Markle has been accused of rushing out her newly-named brand with an expert claiming “you wouldn’t catch Kim Kardashian doing this”.

Today, the Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to announce she is ditching her American Riviera Orchard brand name in favour of another name – As Ever. Its launch will tie in with the release of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, which drops on the streaming platform in two weeks. A new website for As Ever has also been launched, featuring a picture of Meghan running hand-in-hand with her daughter, Princess Lilibet.

Meghan suffered a series of setbacks when it came to trademarking the name American Riviera Orchard, which could explain the switch to As Ever. However, speaking in a video on Instagram that appears to have been filmed by Prince Harry, she said: “Cats out of the bag. I’m shocked we’ve kept it a secret for so long.”

Meghan announcing her newly-named brand As Ever ( 
Image:
Meghan/Instagram)

Meghan announced the news on Instagram ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)
She added: “Last year, I thought you know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighbourhood [and] its a name for Santa Barbara. But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area.

“Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business. Which was huge. So I thought about it, and I’ve been waiting for a moment to share a name that I had secured in 2022, and this is the moment, and it’s called As Ever. “

And it seems the move has divided brand and PR experts, with some pouring cold water on the U-turn move – but others saying the way that she announced it was the perfect way to get maximum publicity. One marketing executive who is critical of the rebrand is Warren Johnson of W Communications, who told the Daily Beast: “You wouldn’t catch Kim Kardashian doing this.”

While another expert told the outlet: “There are only so many relaunches you can do before you start to look ridiculous.” Meanwhile, another unnamed expert said that the launch and the Instagram video announcing it seemed a “total rush” even though Meghan says in the video she secured the name back in 2022.

The snap that features on Meghan’s new website featuring Princess Lilibet ( 
Image:
As Ever)
However, on the flip side, other brand experts have called the rebrand a “strategic move”, especially with the challenges she faced getting a trademark for American Riviera Orchard. Personal branding expert Mayah Riaz, of Mayah Media, told the Mirror: “While rebranding close to launch can be risky, addressing potential legal issues early on can prevent significant issues that may arise. The new name, ‘As Ever’, offers a broader appeal beyond a specific geographic reference – this aligns well with Meghan’s lifestyle themes.

“Meghan choosing to announce the change via her Instagram is a savvy approach, as she is leveraging her following to communicate directly with them. However, any rebrand carries the potential for confusion. It will be crucial for Meghan to offer clear and consistent messaging to ensure her audience seamlessly transitions to the new brand.”

The announcement on Instagram came after Meghan ramped up her posting on the site over the past week while she accompanied husband Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Canada.

A teaser for American Riviera Orchard, the previous name of Meghan’s brand ( 
Image:
americanrivieraorchard)Mayah added: “Throughout the Games, we saw Meghan effectively utilise Instagram, sharing personal moments and engaging content on her Instagram. This is also helping her to build a relatable and authentic brand image. I believe she used her Instagram as a testing ground to see how that was received before deciding to use Instagram for this announcement.”

Meanwhile, for PR guru Mark Borkowski, he said the U-turn could turn out to be a clever ploy for publicity for As Ever. He told MailOnline: “This isn’t an identity crisis. It’s a business model. Meghan isn’t floundering; she’s fluctuating on purpose. The perpetual reinvention, the strategic vagueness—it’s all by design.

“No, it’s a TV show. No, it’s jam. No, it’s a vague, atmospheric brand called As Ever. The more unpredictable she is, the harder it is to take her down.”

Since launching her new Instagram account on New Year’s Day, she has used the sign-off As Ever several times, including on the photo she shared of Harry and her kissing to mark Valentine’s Day.

The new launch comes as Meghan struggled with her trademark application for previous brand name American Riviera Orchard. Last September, it emerged her application to have her brand trademark had been rejected. She was then given three months to respond to the “nonfinal officer action” issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She was also warned that failure to do so could result in her application being abandoned.

She then encountered another stumbling block as a protest against trademarking the brand was lodged with the USPTO by the owners of the ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark. The ‘Royal Riviera’ trademark is owned by Harry & David, a US-based premium food and gifts retailer, for its ‘Royal Riviera Pears’, which are grown in the state of Oregon. The letter of protest, seen by The Mirror said there was a ‘likelihood of confusion’ and the case was referred to Marco Wright, the Trademark Office’s examining attorney.

The Duchess of Sussex shared the ‘secret’ that her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard would now be called As Ever – though eagle-eyed fans spotted hints that the change was coming

Meghan Markle has revealed that her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard has been renamed As Ever – though the change wasn’t entirely a surprise.

In an Instagram video, Meghan, 43, told her followers that she was ditching the American Riviera Orchard brand name in favour of As Ever, and that its launch would tie in with the release of her highly-anticipated show With Love, Meghan. But while she admitted that she was “shocked” that she’d managed to keep the change a “secret for so long”, for some the change in title had long been hinted at.

However, eagle-eyed fans have spotted that the Duchess of Sussex appeared to hint at the name change prior to making the big announcement. Following the launch of her Instagram account at the beginning of the year, Meghan has used a very specific sign-off in all but two of her posts.

Fans spotted a sign that Meghan had hinted at the new name change ( 
Image:
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Since joining the social media site, Meghan has given fans a peek inside her life. In two months, she has shared seven posts on her grid including a video promoting her new Netflix show as well as a sweet Valentine’s Day tribute to her husband Prince Harry.

Alongside the posts, Meghan has become known for her lengthy captions. When it comes to signing off her posts, the Duchess of Sussex has ended the captions with “As ever, Meghan” five times out of seven. Besides being an endearing way to round off things, it just so happens to be the new name of her brand, As Ever, too.

Following the big reveal, fans took to social media to share that they’d spotted that Meghan had been hinting at the name for months.“When launching a new brand, memorability is key. ‘As Ever’ really works because she’s been using it consistently and will continue to do so, making it a recognisable part of her identity with the way she signs off her post. The roll out started in January in many ways!,” wrote one on X.

Meanwhile, another pointed out that Meghan has been using the sign off for years and had even signed off episodes of her Archetypes podcast, which ran from August to October 2022, with “As ever, I’m Meghan”.

They commented: “Meghan has been using the phrase “As ever” like ‘for ever’, to sign off. E.g., on all her Archetypes podcast episodes (As ever, Meghan), and going back in history, on her “The Tig” and IG posts. There is no one so consistent as Duchess Meghan.”

Meghan has used “as ever” as a sign off over the years, including on her recent Instagram posts ( 
Image:
As Ever)
As well as appearing to drop hints about the new brand name in plain sight, Meghan has opened up on the meaning behind the choice of As Ever. Having previously created the lifestyle blog The Tig prior to tying the knot to Prince Harry, she noted that the project would be an “extension” of things that have long been her passions.

“’As ever’ means ‘as it’s always been’ or some even say ‘in the same way as always’. If you’ve followed along since my days of creating The Tig, you’ll know this couldn’t be truer for me,” she wrote in the caption of her announcement post.

“This new chapter is an extension of what has always been my love language, beautifully weaving together everything I cherish — food, gardening, entertaining, thoughtful living, and finding joy in the every day.

“I will keep sharing behind the scenes tidbits with you here as we ramp up to launch, and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on everything we’ve been creating. Sending lots of love… As ever, Meghan.”

Besides opening up on the change in name, Meghan gave fans a further taste of what they could expect from the brand. When American Riviera Orchard was launched last year, jars of jam were sent to different famous faces – though that’s just one of the things that people can expect from As Ever.

“I’ve always loved cooking, crafting and gardening. This is what I do and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can,” she said.

“Of course there will be fruit preserve. I think we’re are all clear at this point that jam is my jam. There’s so many more products that I loved [and] use in my home. It’s time to share it with you. So I can’t wait for you guys to see it. Thanks guys.”

Prince Andrew marks a landmark birthday today as he turns 65 – and it seems the plans for any celebrations will be very different to the ones that had been lined up for him five years ago…

As Prince Andrew approached his 60th birthday five years ago, he was seemingly looking forward to a huge celebration.

Not only that but he was also expecting a grand honorary Navy promotion that would have seen him elevated to the rank of Admiral. But just weeks before his big day, he was forced to step away from royal duties after his car crash Newsnight interview. The sit-down chat with the BBC sent shockwaves around the world with Andrew declining to say he regretted his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, memorably recalling a visit to Pizza Express and claiming he was medically unable to sweat.

And in the weeks after the interview, the big birthday bash was cancelled and the Navy honour was ‘deferred’. Now five years on as he turns 65 today, Andrew has been dogged by yet more scandal due to his links to an alleged Chinese spy.

Andrew has recently been dogged by scandal ( 
Image:
PA)
He is also said to be embroiled in a row over his crumbling Royal Lodge home in Windsor, which he shares with ex-wife Fergie, and how he intends to pay for its costly upkeep. But one expert believes despite his seemingly reduced life now, the Duke of York will still mark the landmark birthday.

Biographer Andrew Lownie, who has spent years researching Andrew for a new book, told The Sun he imagines he will have a small gathering at Royal Lodge to mark turning 65. According to the publication, the disgraced duke still has loyal pals from high society who have stood by him and despite appearing to live a reclusive life, he still manages to have outings in London and lunches with pals at a luxury hotel near his home.

Before the Newsnight interview, Andrew had a full diary of royal duties. In the year before the disastrous chat, he carried out a total of 394 engagements – more than his nephew Prince William.

Andrew’s main tasks included promoting British businesses abroad as well receiving foreign dignitaries visiting the UK on behalf of the late Queen. He also helped to set up and run the Dragon’s Den style initiative Pitch@Palace, which saw start up business owners connected with potential investors during special events at Buckingham Palace.

But just days after the interview, Andrew sensationally quit public life “for the foreseeable future”. In a statement, approved by the late Queen, he said it had “become clear” to him that his “former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work.” He expressed sympathy for the victims of the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier, saying he “hoped they could rebuild their lives.”

Andrew with his older brother King Charles ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
He was also noticeably absent from the official photos from his oldest daughter Princess Beatrice’s lockdown wedding. Beatrice wed husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a low-key ceremony in Windsor under Covid restrictions.

However, he did make fleeting appearances at royal events that have been deemed family occasions. These have included the late Queen’s funeral, the King’s Coronation and a memorial for the former King Constantine of Greece earlier last year. However, he was forced to skip royal Christmas at Sandringham in December when his links to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo emerged. In a High Court hearing it was heard that Mr Yang, who has been banned from the UK had been a ‘close confidant’ of Andrew’s.

But it’s not the only problem he’s had to contend with. Last month it emerged Andrew is facing a £1million bill for urgent repairs after an inspection on his crumbling mansion. The Mirror’s exclusive pictures showed the residence in a dire state, with large cracks in the masonry, peeling plaster and discoloured paint around the main house and staff quarters. Andrew is understood to have given assurances he would be able to meet the financial obligations needed for essential repairs.

As recently as 2019, the house had been painted and showed no signs of dilapidation. But in just over five years, the 19th century Grade II listed property, estimated to be worth around £30million, has fallen into immense disrepair, with increasing levels of damp and mould both inside and outside the buildings.

A royal source said: “The house is in a dire state and is in desperate need of repair. The Duke has been told in no uncertain terms that extensive and urgent repairs are needed to ensure the long term viability of the property before it falls into irrevocable decay.”

The Duchess of Sussex has been accused of copying a Majorcan town’s coat of arms after announcing she was renaming her lifestyle brand, formerly known as American Riviera Orchard

Meghan Markle has been told to remove the logo for her new lifestyle brand with the mayoress of a small Mallorcan town claiming it is the “exact copy” of their coat of arms.

On Tuesday, The Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to rename her lifestyle brand “As Ever” while posting a rare image of her young daughter Lilibet.

The logo, with palm tree and two birds, is strikingly similar to that of the coat of arms of the town of Porrerers with the town’s mayoress describing the situation as “surreal”.

Xisca Mora told EL PAÍS that, although they are not in a position to sue for plagiarism, they are calling for the logo to be removed. The mayoress said that the town’s heraldic coat of arms dates back to 1370 and its reproduction is “part of the idiosyncrasy of Porreres, of its heritage and cultural identity”.

She said: “To sue for plagiarism is complicated and costly, and a small town council like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown.

Meghan Markle faces ‘legal action’ by Spanish village for ‘plagiarism’ ( 
Image:
As Ever)

The Porreres coat of arms ( 
Image:
WikiCommons)
“At first, we took it as a bit of a joke because we didn’t really understand where it had come from and what their objective was in copying our coat of arms,” she explained to Vanitatis.

The new website for the venture features a picture of the duchess and her three-year-old daughter photographed from a distance, walking hand-in-hand across a sunny lawn with palm trees in the background.

It is understood that the the logo incorporates a palm tree as a nod to The Duke and Duchess’ home in California, along with two hummingbirds—a favourite of Prince Harry’s.

The distinct shape enclosing the birds and tree was reportedly, intentionally designed to create a unique and personal emblem. The Mirror understands that, as part of the process, comprehensive global searches of registered trademarks were conducted.

Meghan joked about the first product released by her business last year, a limited edition jar of strawberry jam, saying: “Of course there will be fruit preserves, I think we’re all clear at this point that jam is my jam.

“But there’s so many more products that I just love that I use in my home and now it’s time to share it with you, so I can’t wait for you to see it.”

The Duchess of Sussex has renamed her lifestyle brand “As Ever” ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)Pointing out another similarity, Ms Mora said that jam is also one of the town’s typical products. She said that Porrerers has “the best jam in the world” and stressed that “the farmers will be happy” if Meghan wants to market it.

Ms Mora said that she was happy with the free publicity as a result of Meghan’s rebrand but pointed out that the coat of arms was not the only thing similar with the rebrand.

She explained that the brand’s promotional image belongs to the Mallorcan landscape. “On the front page of the website there is a palm tree that is typical of Mallorca because it doesn’t grow anywhere else,” she pointed out.

The mayoress has admitted that she will not be able to afford a legal battle but stressed she is happy with the “free publicity” and has invited Meghan to her small town

“Tracking them down would be unfeasible. It would be a very complex process, and we cannot afford it,” she argued, basing her argument on the advice of the council’s team of lawyers.

“If she wants, we can invite her to the patron saint’s fiestas and let her be the hostess.”

Prince Andrew could be celebrating his final birthday in Royal Lodge today as a property expert suggested he could come under increasing pressure to meet the costs to pay for the upkeep

Prince Andrew is celebrating his 65th birthday today (Wednesday, February 19), and it might just be his final one at the Royal Lodge according to a property expert. The Duke of York is locked in a battle with his brother King Charles who want him to vacate the property.

Andrew is under increasing pressure to sort out repairs at the residence he leased for 75 years in 2003. Under the strict terms of the lease with the Crown Estate, he’s obliged to maintain the property and foot the bill for any damages. Since King Charles cut off his £1million yearly allowance last year, meeting these costs has likely become a struggle.

Terry Fisher from We Buy Any Home has weighed in on the potential fallout if Andrew fails to make the necessary fixes. He said: “While it’s unlikely that he’ll be forced out immediately, the pressure is certainly mounting. If he doesn’t carry out the necessary renovations, his position at Royal Lodge could become increasingly unstable over the next year.

“Whether he faces legal challenges over the lease, or is gradually edged out due to financial or royal pressures, there’s a real possibility that this could be his last birthday at the property.”

Reports suggest the Duke might be staring down a £1million bill for urgent repairs after a recent inspection revealed his 19th-century Grade II listed home is falling apart, reports the Express.

Prince Andrew’s £1million yearly allowance was cut off by King Charles last year ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Last year, images surfaced showing parts of the estate looking rather worse for wear. If the place ends up in “significant disrepair”, the Crown Estate might step in to take back the Lodge, the property guru warns.

He further stated: “Beyond the legal implications, there’s also the wider royal context – King Charles has reportedly been pressuring him to step away from the Lodge, and continued financial strain could make maintaining the estate increasingly difficult.

“If he doesn’t take decisive action to fund and complete these urgent repairs, he may find himself left with little choice but to vacate the property within the next year.”

As for King Charles, while he may have had the authority to strip Andrew’s pay, Terry says he may not be able to overrule the lease of the property. “King Charles may be unable to overrule the lease outright, but he could apply pressure through legal or financial channels to ensure the necessary work is done,” he added. For now, Prince Andrew remains at the property with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who he divorced after 10 years of marriage in 1996.

A royal expert recently hinted at the ‘real’ reason Andrew wants to stay at Royal Lodge. Royal expert Bronte Coy however believes Andrew and Sarah should consider moving to the four-bedroom Frogmore Cottage, but reckons there is one thing stopping the couple from moving.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive podcast, she said: “It is the case that it’s a 30-room building and they don’t need it. I think it is just a case of pride and he doesn’t want to be kicked out.”

Meghan Markle’s new brand name As Ever and its new logo featuring palm trees and hummingbirds has certainly ruffled feathers – especially with officials in one town on the Spanish island of Majorca and a small US business

It has been just over 24 hours since Meghan Markle revealed the bombshell news about her lifestyle brand.

Taking to Instagram, she announced that she was axing its previous name American Riviera Orchard in favour of new moniker, As Ever. But it’s not just her U-turn that has raised eyebrows, as her new logo on her newly-launched website, which features Princess Lilibet, has also ruffled feathers as has the name, which it has emerged is shared by an independent clothing brand.

The logo features a palm tree, which is understood to be a nod to Prince Harry and Meghan’s home in California, as well as two hummingbirds, which are thought to be a favourite of the Duke of Sussex.

However, fury has broken out as the Mayoress of Poreress, a town on the Spanish island of Majorca, claims the branding is strikingly similar their coat of arms. To add to Meghan’s brand headache, now the mayor of the town, Xisca Mora has gone as far as saying the logo is a “complete copy”. And not just that – now a small New York-based clothing firm called As Ever NYC has waded into the row, breaking its silence on the name – which one fan joked was “royally scandalous”.

‘Rushed job’

When it came to securing a trademark for her lifestyle brand under its previous name American Riviera Orchard, Meghan came up against a series of legal hurdles. And it could explain why she has made the switch to As Ever.

Meghan reveals her new brand name, As Ever ( 
Image:
@Meghan/Instagram)

Meghan revealed the change on Instagram ( 
Image:
Meghan/Instagram)
However, in her video, she does not address her legal setbacks and excitedly said: “Last year, I thought you know what, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name, it’s my neighbourhood [and] its a name for Santa Barbara. But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area.

“Then Netflix came on, not just as my partner in the show, but as my partner in my business. Which was huge. So I thought about it, and I’ve been waiting for a moment to share a name that I had secured in 2022, and this is the moment, and it’s called As Ever.”

But the move left several PR experts baffled with one saying it appeared the brand had been “rushed out”. Warren Johnson of W Communications, told the Daily Beast: “You wouldn’t catch Kim Kardashian doing this.” While another expert told the outlet: “There are only so many relaunches you can do before you start to look ridiculous.”

However, on the flip side, other brand experts have called the rebrand a “strategic move”, especially with the challenges she faced getting a trademark for American Riviera Orchard. Personal branding expert Mayah Riaz, of Mayah Media, told the Mirror: “While rebranding close to launch can be risky, addressing potential legal issues early on can prevent significant issues that may arise. The new name, ‘As Ever’, offers a broader appeal beyond a specific geographic reference – this aligns well with Meghan’s lifestyle themes.

“Meghan choosing to announce the change via her Instagram is a savvy approach, as she is leveraging her following to communicate directly with them. However, any rebrand carries the potential for confusion. It will be crucial for Meghan to offer clear and consistent messaging to ensure her audience seamlessly transitions to the new brand.”

Spanish slap down

However, things took a new twist when the new logo for As Ever was compared to that of the Porerres coat of arms, which also features a palm tree and two birds.

Mayoress Ms Pora told Spanish publication El Pais that the town’s heraldic coat of arms dates back to 1370 and its reproduction is “part of the idiosyncrasy of Porreres, of its heritage and cultural identity”.

The new logo for As Ever ( 
Image:
As Ever)

The coat of arms for the town of Porreres ( 
Image:
Supplied)She admitted they are not in a position to sue for plagiarism but said they are calling for the logo to be removed. The Mirror understands that as part of the process of creating the logo, Meghan’s team undertook “comprehensive” global searches of registered trademarks were conducted.

Ms Mor said: “To sue for plagiarism is complicated and costly, and a small town council like ours is not in a position to fight against the English crown. “At first, we took it as a bit of a joke because we didn’t really understand where it had come from and what their objective was in copying our coat of arms,” she explained to Vanitatis.

Meanwhile, the mayoress also pointed out another similarity as Meghan’s brand is known to be offering jam – and the preserve is also a popular product of the town. Ms Mora said that Porreres has “the best jam in the world” and quipped “the farmers will be happy” if Meghan wants to market it. A spokesperson for Meghan has been approached for comment.

Breaking silence

After her brand announcement yesterday, today Meghan ramped up promotion for As Ever by renaming her American Riviera Orchard Instagram account and sharing a new post. It features the Duchess drizzling honey over a croissant.

But it’s not just the Majorcan town that has spoken out against the rebrand, small, independent clothing brand As Ever NYC took to Instagram to address the similarities in the names of the two firms.

Designer Mark Kolski wrote in a post on Instagram: “I want to say thank you to all the old friends who know and love our small family brand As Ever, and also say hi to all those that have just become aware we exist. In the last 36 hours there has been an outpouring of support and concern regarding recent events around our namesake brand. We are aware. We are not affiliated.”

The designer then explained how the brand dates back to 2015 when it started as a side hobby for him and his wife. He said that it first started manufacturing its clothes in 2017 and added: “It’s 2025. We are grateful to still be here making clothing in New York & New Jersey. We are grateful for all the customers coast to coast and worldwide that have supported our venture. We will continue As Ever.”

Royal dig

It comes after a trademark application filed in February last year shows the company wishes to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, and jams and marmalades, and the duchess said she secured the new name in 2022.

In what many have seen as a dig at the Royal Family, Meghan explained: “As Ever essentially means as it’s always been, and if you’ve followed me since 2014 with The Tig, you know, I’ve always loved cooking and crafting and gardening.” She added: “This is what I do, and I have’’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can.”

Before marrying into the royal family she closed down her lifestyle website called The Tig, which she had used as a platform to discuss social issues such as gender equality in addition to articles on travel, food and fashion.

Still Game director Michael Hines announced the tragic news of the Auld Eric actor on X/Twitter

Still Game star Jimmy Martin has died aged 93, it has been announced.

Director of the show, Michael Hines, announced the tragic news on Twitter/X. He wrote about the Auld Eric star: “Just to let all the Still Game fans out there know that Jimmy Martin ‘Eric’ passed away today. He was a wonderful actor and I was honoured to call him a pal.”

Fans immediately rushed to the comment section to pay tribute to the “beloved actor”. Reminiscing about the show, one user said: “My favourite in the show. Especially the bit he’s talking about taking a pish when jack and Victor are trying to eat their soup.” Another said: “Eric was always my favourite. A side character that became more than that due to the skill of the actor.”

One user commented: “Brilliant actor god bless his soul!!! Rest easy you legend!!!” A representative for Red Shoe Entertainment shared a statement on Facebook: “We are deeply saddened to share the news that Jimmy Martin, the beloved actor known for playing Eric in Still Game, has passed away.

The director shared a photo with his announcement

“His warmth, humour, and unforgettable performances brought joy to so many, and his legacy will live on through the laughter he shared with the world. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Jimmy.” They signed off with ‘Red Shoe Entertainment’.

Jimmy – who served time in the Royal Navy when he was young – received a British Empire Medal months before his death. His daughter said at the time: “We are wondering if they maybe have a translator at Buckingham Palace because I can’t image Camilla and Charles are very fluent in Craiglang. But dad is totally delighted and so are we. It’s absolutely great for him to be recognised like this.”

His time in the navy saw him on board HMS Bermuda, a ship that took him to the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal during the crisis. He also had a career that spanned firefighting.

Jimmy appeared in 47 of the series alongside Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan between 2002 and 2018. He was the few people in the show who was actually a pensioner when the beloved series began.

However, his character was killed off in the eighth series. The actor was born in Glasgow and lived for a long while in East Lothian.

Along with Still Game, Jimmy co-starred in short films Relatively PC and Relative Confusion. He made a short appearance in Lovesick and had a role in Just Another Saturday. Before Still Game, he was a helper at Campie Primary School’s after school club.

Ruth Langsford was spotted still wearing her wedding ring months after splitting from partner of 27 years, Eamonn Holmes

Ruth Langsford has been spotted still wearing her wedding ring despite splitting from husband Eamonn Holmes last year.

The TV presenter split from her former co-host Eamonn in May after 27 years together. The couple, who had been married for 14 years, share 22-year-old son Jack.

However, it appears she is still choosing to wear their band. She stepped out wearing a large green coat while carrying a leather handbag and travel bag. The former This Morning star appeared deep in conversation during her outing.

Ruth was spotted leaving Soho house after having a spot of lunch with close friend Lizzy Cundy.

Ruth Langsford leaving Soho House ( 
Image:
w8media)

Ruth was still wearing her band ( 
Image:
w8media)

It’s not the first time she has been seen still wearing the band. In August last year she shared a mirror selfie following a pamper session and new hair day. The expensive diamond was seen in all its glory as Ruth took the mirror snap.

Ruth opened up on her “painful” split earlier this month as she confessed she doesn’t want to be alone. The Loose Women host, however, insisted she is moving on with her life. Speaking candidly, Ruth admitted: “A break-up of a relationship is hard enough for anybody to deal with.

“A divorce is very difficult and it’s very painful, but most people don’t have to do it in the public eye, with everybody having an opinion about you and writing things about you and commenting things about you. But that’s the nature of my job. I’ve always had that and if you can’t cope with that, you shouldn’t be doing this job.”

Eamonn and Ruth had been an item for 27 years ( 
Image:
GETTY)She added to woman&home magazine: “I’m not delighted my marriage is over but I’ve accepted that my marriage is over, so I am trying to now embrace the fact that I’m single and can make choices that are just about me.”

However, she is said to be not ready to date again just yet. A source told Mirror: “She’s not ready to date, it’s not her priority and she just wants to have fun,. Her friends are all telling her to, but she’s not there yet.”

Ruth has had to watch on as Eamonn began a new relationship with girlfriend Katie Alexander. Eamonn was seen stepping out with his new flame, Katie Alexander, 42, just months after his split from Ruth. The duo finally went public at the star-studded TRIC Awards in December last year.

Eamonn made a rare and candid admission about marriage during a Valentine’s Day chat with GB News co-presenter Ellie Costello last week. After Ellie asked the presenter if he remembered his first Valentine, Eamonn quickly quipped: “I married her.” The sweet admission caught Ellie by surprise as she responded with a heartfelt: “Aww that’s so nice.”

Eamonn was indeed referencing Gabrielle, his first wife who he wed in 1985 and with whom he shares three kids: Declan, Rebecca, and Niall.

The family of Gabby Petito, who was murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie, decided to scatter her ashes in the place she lost her life – and it’s left many viewers divided

Netflix fans have been left seriously spooked after hearing about the decision made by Gabby Petito’s family to scatter her ashes at the grisly scene where she was savagely killed by her partner. The documentary, American Murder: Gabby Petito, triggered talk among viewers who labelled the choice to make Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming her final resting place “very creepy” with sentiments that now the victim “will forever be stuck there.”

At just 22 years of age, Gabby, along with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, 23, set off on a nomadic adventure living in a van and sharing their escapades online – until she vanished on September 11 2021. Shortly after her disappearance, Brian also became a ghost, turning up dead in a Florida reserve, but not before confessing to the murder in a notebook found near his remains on October 20, reports the Mirror US.

Following the release of the documentary, a TikTok by user Samantha, which has racked up over 37,000 views, posed the question: “Does anybody find it odd that Gabby Petito’s family spread her ashes over the exact location of where she was murdered? ”

The family scattered the ashes where they found their daughter’s body ( 
Image:
Netflix)
Viewers piled into the comments agreeing it was strange, with one declaring the choice simply “blew [their] mind.”

The new series, which documents the distressing search and tragic events that took place in late summer 2021, features Gabby’s parents, stepparents, siblings and a few friends journeying to the national park’s rolling hills. Gabby’s mum, Nichole Schmidt, revealed: “We decided as a family that we all wanted to go visit the spot where Gabby was found.

“Once we got to where Gabby was, you could feel her presence and her spirit there,” her mum continued.

“It was just such a beautiful moment … It was just really healing to be with everybody, and we truly felt close to Gabby that day.”

The TikTok’s caption invited viewers to share their thoughts, asking: “No hate, but, what’s y’all’s opinion on this? If something so tragic were to happen to me, I wouldn’t want what is left of me to be put back at such a traumatising location.”

Many agreed, labelling the decision “odd” and “weird.”

Gabby and Brian were road tripping around America before Brain strangled Gabby to death ( 
Image:
Netflix)
One commenter, Moe, described the choice as “very creepy”, adding: “It’s like now she will forever be stuck there.”

Another echoed these sentiments, saying: “As if she would want to be left in that horrific place in the darkness and all those horrible memories, blew my mind.”

Rara admitted: “I was pretty shocked at this as well.”

While some were puzzled by the family’s actions, Stephanie Cardenas understood their motives, saying: “They probably did that to release her spirit since she was tragically murdered there they probably think her soul would be trapped and now they’ve set her free.”

Britti Lynn believed it was about reclaiming control: “I think part of it was taking back power from Brian and what he did there instead making it a place where they could leave her with love and peace.”

Em highlighted the need for respect in grief: “They’re not made up characters for you to disrespect by commenting on the ways they grieve/what they should’ve done differently.”

Another person echoed this sentiment, stating: “Everyone grieves differently…what’s wrong with that.”