Author: quyen3

The Royal Family is currently gathering at Sandringham, where they’ll be enjoying their beloved, and not to mention eccentric, Christmas traditions. But Prince Andrew won’t be joining them.

While the gag gift swapping and tree decorating gets underway, Andrew has stepped well away from this year’s festivities to avoid any further embarrassment for his elder brother, King Charles III. Royal sources have confirmed he’s “done the right thing”, with senior members of the Firm said to be ‘exasperated’ by him.

The Duke of York, whose friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein brought great shame on the family, has faced yet more controversy in recent times amid a scandal involving alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, who is now banned from the UK after losing an appeal earlier this month.

Now Andrew, 64, will instead be spending a quieter Christmas at Royal Lodge with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, as some 45 regal guests celebrate in style at the breath-taking Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Over the weekend, Andrew was spotted heading out on his own near Windsor Castle, ahead of what looks set to be a lonely festive period.

The Duke was recently spotted driving out on his own near Windsor Castle ( 
Image:
Kelvin Bruce)
So what will the festive season have in store instead? Well, it seems it will be very different from last year when he was surrounded by his relatives. Instead, he will stay at his Royal Lodge home – with seemingly only ex-wife Fergie for company.

The pair have an unconventional relationship. Despite being divorced, they still live together in the 30-room mansion in Windsor, amid reported attempts by King Charles to evict them. Earlier this month, Fergie declared she will always “support” the father of her children.

Andrew will be spending this Christmas with ex-wife Fergie ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
She added: “I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100 per cent. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. It’s still with us today. I won’t let him down.”

Princess Beatrice will spend Christmas with her in-laws ( 
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie with husband Jack Brooksbank ( 
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)
Andrew and Sarah have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who also have three children between them. However, sources have said they will be spending Christmas with their respective in-laws for the first time this year. Beatrice, who is expecting her second child, will be with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their three-year-old daughter Sienna. Eugenie will be with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and his family, along with their sons, August and Ernest.

Andrew disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019, but he carried on joining the Royal Family on Christmas Day in the past. Last year, he walked from Sandringham House to church with the other royals – seen as symbolic of his gradual rehabilitation within the family.

Andrew at King Charles’ Coronation last year ( 
Image:
PA)
After the service, the duke laughed and threw up his hands as he joked with well-wishers and was joined by his ex-wife, the Duchess, who returned to the royal fold after missing Sandringham for a number of decades.

Andrew’s status as a member of the Royal Family was left in tatters when the late Queen later stripped him of his honorary military roles and remaining royal patronages. In a dramatic fallout from his civil sex case, he gave up his HRH style. He no longer attends Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph, or the annual Commonwealth Day service.

But he was at the King’s coronation, and is still a member of the Order of the Garter, taking part in the senior order of chivalry’s annual service behind closed doors, but does not appear in the public procession.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told the Mirror: “His irresponsible behaviour and dubious friendships have exasperated his older brother for some time now. However, nothing has been quite as damaging to the monarchy as Andrew’s current situation. It involves the British government, MI6 and the Chinese government. It is almost like a television spy special.

Married At First Sight star Ella Morgan has split from her Celebs Go Dating star boyfriend Alex James Ali amid claims he was unfaithful.

The 30-year-old reality star first found fame on E4’s chaotic dating show Married At First Sight where she caused controversy by dumping husband Nathanial Valentino in favour of fellow contestant, JJ Slater – who had been married to Bianca Petronzi. Despite getting on well during their time on the show, Ella and JJ’s romance quickly imploded once cameras stopped rolling – and she was left devastated when he sparked a romance with her friend Katie Price.

Ella hit out at Katie at the time for breaking ‘girl code’ – but the glamour model is still dating JJ almost a year on. But love appeared to bloom for Ella with hairdresser Alex when she took part in E4’s other chaotic dating show, Celebs Go Dating, earlier this year. The couple flirted wildly on the show – and appeared to be going strong months after the cameras stopped rolling as they both featured each other on their social media feeds as recently as last week.

But now the relationship is said to have gone down in flames – with a report suggesting Ella walked away after accusing Alex of messaging other women.

The duo found love on E4’s Celebs Go Dating earlier this year ( 
Image:
E4)

A source told The Sun: “Ella is absolutely heartbroken and disappointed but the trust is gone now for her. On the outside they appeared so happy and loved up but there was cracks growing on the inside.

“Fans absolutely adored them and that initially spurred them on to try and make things work and they even planned to move into Alex’s house at some point. She’s going into the New Year single with a positive mind frame but it has come at the worst time with Christmas and her birthday just days away.” The Mirror has approached representatives of both Ella and Alex for comment.

Just four days ago, Alex expressed his love for Ella in an Instagram post that she shared. She had attended a lavish event celebrating the transgender community and highlighting an organisation that offers access to safe healthcare for transgender people. After she shared a highlights reel of the night on her Instagram grid, Alex reacted with a string of flame emojis. And days earlier, Ella had responded with a love heart emoji to a post that Alex shared on his own post.

Fans will note that the duo still follow each other on Instagram amid the reports that they have broken up. In October, Ella gushed to the Mirror about how happy she was to have found love with Alex. She said: “Life has been amazing since Celebs Go Dating. I’ve got my man. I love him. I literally love him.” Sharing an insight into the couple’s next big move, she continued: “We’ve talked about marriage, moving in and me meeting his son.”

She went on: “The show completely changed my love life. After 30 years, I finally have a boyfriend. I’m still in shock that it happened to me. I genuinely never thought I would meet someone after 10 years of not dating. I had started to think that I was the problem and I would always be lonely. Being trans, I have more struggles to contend with. I thought I would always be on my own.”

Following the difficulties she had endured in past relationships, she had noted that Alex had restored her faith in love. She said: “I’m really grateful I have found someone that I have an amazing connection with. It’s not about being trans, it’s not a fetish for him. We actually haven’t even spoken that in-depth about it, and that’s the first time for me with any guy I’ve dated. He just says, ‘You’re Ella to me’ and I love it.”

American music producer who worked with The Beatles, Richard Perry, has died aged 82.

His close friend, Daphna Kastner, confirmed he died in a Los Angeles Hospital on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. She said: “He maximized his time here” before calling him a “father friend” and the godfather to her son.

“He was generous, fun, sweet, and made the world a better place,” she added. “The world is a little less sweet without him here, but it’s a little sweeter in heaven.” Richard worked with the likes of Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart and more was hugely known as a “musician’s producer”.

Richard, who dated the likes of Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Taylor, had a huge impact in the industry, with musicians turning to him to update their sound or revive their careers. His production credits include Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook series, Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain and Ringo Starr’s 1973 album Ringo – which reached No.2 on the charts.

Richard Perry (right) worked with The Beatles, Rod Stewart and more ( 
Image:
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

He also worked with Barbra Streisand, Harry Nilsson, Martha Reeves, Fats Domino and The Band. Barbra previously talked about Richard in her memoir, My Name is Barbra, and said: “Richard had a knack for matching the right song to the right artist.”

Richard was classically trained on piano, drums, guitar, bass and oboe and was even a member of a doo-wop group in the 1950 called The Escorts. He began his career in rock music as a local performer during his younger years. After graduating from University of Michigan in 1964, he shifted into songwriting and acting.

When it came to his career as a producer, his early projects including Captain Beefheart’s debut Safe as Milk and Fats Domino’s Fats Is Back. Richard began well established as a producer by 1970, with him collaborating with Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross, Manhattan Transfer, Leo Sayer, Andy Williams and Fanny.

He dated Jane Fonda from 2009 to 2017 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
By the late 70s, he launched his own label, Planet Records, and rant it for six years before it was purchased by RCA Records. In the 90s and 00s, he worked with Ray Charles on 1993’s My World. He was also credited with helping to create Rod Stewart’s charting albums in the Great American Songbook series, including It Had To Be You: The Great American Songbook.

The last credit on his discography page was him producing the cast recording of the Broadway production of Baby It’s You in 2011.

Richard was briefly married to actor Rebecca Broussard from 1987 to 1988. The two didn’t have any children together. He also dated Jane Fonda from 2009 to 2017.

An actress who rose to fame on EastEnders has revealed that this Christmas will be a difficult one for her after she was diagnosed with a life-changing disorder last year.

Melissa Suffield – who played Lucy Beale on the BBC soap from 2004 to 2010 – shared that it has been a tough year after being diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) when she experienced “horrible nausea” last December.

The 31-year-old told The Sun that, after around 40 appointments with her GP this year alone and spending more than five figures on tests and other medical costs, she has been given a diagnosis of SIBO and B12 deficiency.

Melissa went onto explain what Christmas this year means to her as she continues to battle with her health. She said: “For me, I would say about 80% of the joy comes from all the food. So I’m not feeling very festive this year. But that’s mainly because I can’t eat loads of chocolate, biscuits and cake. So you know it is what it is. But I’m hopeful that next year I’ll be eating that Christmas dinner again.”

Melissa said she’s not feeling ‘very festive’ this year ( 
Image:
Instagram)

Melissa shares body positivity posts on Instagram ( 
Image:
@)

However, despite her struggles, the TV star said that her deficiency has made her become the ‘healthiest’ version of herself.

She continued: “This is on paper, this year I’ve been healthier than I’ve been ever in my life before.

“The only thing I drink is water or water, with like ginger in it. I don’t eat anything that I haven’t like prepared fresh myself, really at home, unless I absolutely have to. While I’m out I can eat chips.

“But even myself, like even chips at home and make them myself. I get an okay amount of sleep. I’ve got loads of like vitamins and minerals that my body needs going in, and I’ve never been sicker in my life.”

 

Even though Prince Harry has adamantly denied the rumors he and Meghan Markle are not splitting up, it seems like some people still believe something is up in their marriage, RadarOnline can reveal.

One source claimed: “It feels very much a case of ‘he who doth protest too much. Everyone has noticed they’re rarely together anymore.”

The pair has traveled without one another in recent months, leading many to believe they’re living separate lives.

The source alleged: “They’re very clear they are not divorcing and just as committed as ever, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some areas they want to, and need to, work on. One thing that has really fallen by the wayside is the romance, and they’ve vowed to tackle that proactively.”

To make sure they’re connecting, the actress, 43, is adamant about planning special trips with her and just Harry without their kids, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

A source said: “They’re really going to carve out the time. They need to, otherwise their schedules get so jammed. They’ve also vowed to stay patient when it comes to the palace, which can get them worked up. They’re not going to sweat that stuff anymore.”

SOURCE: MEGA The pair share two kids.
According to the first source, Meghan is the one who wants to avoid discussing the royal family since Harry, 40, is not on the best terms with them.
The approach is “straight out of Meghan’s California therapy-speak playbook.”

The insider added: “Of course she’ll move heaven and earth to avoid divorce. A custody case would be way too messy to comprehend, and thanks to Harry’s family he has endless means. Meghan will be making it very clear that no matter how stressful life in the U.S. gets, divorce is not an option.”

SOURCE: MEGA Prince Harry previously spoke out about the ongoing divorce rumors in December.
Article continues below advertisement
As previously reported, Harry spoke out about the rumors earlier this month.

He said at the New York Times‘ 2024 DealBook Summit in New York City on December 4: “Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what?”

Golf Superstar Rory McIlroy Shares Surprising Story About Meghan Markle’s “Hectic Night”

Rory McIlroy recently shared details about an unforgettable evening with Meghan Markle, calling it “a night to remember.” The unlikely encounter brought together two high-profile figures in a setting that was anything but ordinary.

A lavish party straight out of a Hollywood movie. Dimmed lights, smooth jazz floating through the air, and laughter serving as the soundtrack of the evening. Celebrities mingled, sipping on cocktails and sharing tales fit for a bestseller.Among the crowd, Rory McIlroy stood out—not just for his stature but for his undeniable aura of confidence. Across the room, Meghan Markle, then on the cusp of her royal journey, lit up the space with her charm and presence.

 

What could possibly unfold when two such personalities crossed paths? A friendly chat? A headline-worthy revelation? As the evening progressed, it became clear this was no ordinary gathering.

As laughter and conversations flowed, whispers of an intriguing interaction between Rory and Meghan began to circulate. By the end of the night, Rory made a comment about Meghan that set off a media storm. His words? “She’s a night to remember.”

But what sparked this candid revelation? Was it a simple joke, an accidental slip, or something more?

Rory and Meghan found themselves in a quiet corner of the venue as the night wore on. What started as light-hearted banter about their public lives soon took a sharp turn. Rory, known for his humor, joked about the pressures of fame and the wild rumors that often surrounded them.

It was during this exchange that Rory made his now-famous comment. Whether meant as a playful remark or something deeper, the statement quickly gained a life of its own.

By the next morning, headlines exploded: “Rory McIlroy Exposes Meghan Markle’s Hectic Night.” The media jumped on the story, dissecting every word and gesture.

But what was the truth behind the sensationalism? Was this simply an innocent comment blown out of proportion?

In today’s age of instant news and social media, words carry immense power. One offhand remark can spiral into a full-blown controversy. Rory’s comment, likely intended as light-hearted, became a glaring example of how narratives can quickly shift in the public eye.

In subsequent interviews, Rory expressed regret over his choice of words. He acknowledged the responsibilities that come with being in the spotlight and took the incident as a lesson in the power of thoughtful communication.

True to form, Meghan chose to handle the situation with grace. Instead of escalating the drama, she emphasized the importance of dialogue and understanding. Her calm response highlighted her poise under pressure.

This incident offers a broader reflection on the challenges of being in the public eye:

In a world driven by headlines, the nuances of conversations are often lost. Rory’s comment serves as a reminder to consider the bigger picture before forming judgments.

Finding a balance between humor and sensitivity is crucial, especially in today’s hypersensitive environment.

For celebrities, every word and action is under a microscope. This event underscores the need for mindful communication, even in seemingly casual settings.

Got leaked emails showing Prince Harry essentially trying to bully the NYPD. Yes, you heard that right — the NYPD. Can you believe the entitlement? This is the same person who left the royal family claiming he wanted privacy, yet here he is causing drama over what many believe was a completely manufactured incident.

Let’s break down what actually happened here, thanks to some fantastic investigative work by a Reddit user on the St. Meghan Markle subreddit. And let me be crystal clear: Unlike the mainstream media, I always give credit where it’s due. We’ve got access to emails showing Harry’s team basically threatening the NYPD. The audacity of it all is staggering!Now, what’s really interesting is how the Daily Mail is trying to claim this as their exclusive. But guess what? This information was actually out there days before they picked it up. This is why you need to stay tuned to channels like mine that give you the real story before the mainstream media tries to spin it their way.

 

Let’s talk about these emails for a moment. Harry’s team wrote to the NYPD chief demanding — yes, demanding — that certain things be taken care of by a specific deadline. The language used is just gripping with entitlement. He’s actually threatening to file official complaints if they don’t do what he wants. This is the same person who left Britain claiming he wanted a normal life, folks.

And here’s where it gets even more interesting: There are two different letters from the NYPD that tell completely different stories. The first one, dated September 18, 2023, says they don’t have sufficient evidence to arrest anyone. But then, mysteriously, a second letter from December 6 suddenly claims they do have evidence to arrest two individuals. What changed in those few months? Could it be the pressure from Team Sussex?

What’s even more outrageous is that Harry apparently went so far as to contact California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office to help him find the right people to complain to in Manhattan. I mean, seriously, using the governor of California to pressure the NYPD? This is the kind of behavior we’ve come to expect from these two, but it still manages to shock me every time.

Let’s contrast this with how our beloved Prince William and Princess Catherine handle themselves. Could you ever imagine them threatening police departments or running to governors to complain? Of course not. They handle everything with grace and dignity, focusing on their duties and serving the people, rather than creating drama.

And where’s Meghan in all of this? Well, isn’t it interesting that this whole incident was used to promote their Netflix show and Harry’s book? It’s always about publicity with these two, isn’t it? Every crisis, every challenge becomes another opportunity for them to play the victim card and grab headlines.

Remember how the working royals dealt with actual security threats with dignity, without making a media circus out of it? Princess Catherine has faced far more serious security concerns, yet she handles everything with such grace and professionalism. That’s what real royalty looks like, folks.

And also, what really gets me is how this whole incident seems to be part of their larger strategy to justify their demands for UK taxpayer-funded security. Think about it — create a dramatic incident in NYC, use it to claim they’re in constant danger, then leverage that to demand security in the UK. It’s also transparent once you see the pattern.

Isn’t it interesting how these emails surface just when they’re struggling to stay relevant? Their Netflix deal isn’t exactly setting the world on fire, Meghan’s Spotify venture crashed and burned, and Harry’s book sales have dropped off a cliff. Suddenly, we’re back to talking about this alleged car chase from months ago. You know what’s really telling? The crazy blind item that came out suggesting this whole thing was embellished just so Harry could whine to King Charles about security.

Now, I always tell my viewers to take blind items with a grain of salt, but when you look at the pattern of behavior here, it starts to make a lot of sense, doesn’t it?

Let’s be honest here: Who actually believes that paparazzi in New York City would desperately chase Harry and Meghan? This isn’t 1997, folks. Modern paparazzi know better. And frankly, these two aren’t exactly generating the kind of interest that would warrant such pursuit. But they needed a story, didn’t they? They needed something to keep themselves in the headlines.

What really breaks my heart in all of this is watching what it’s doing to the royal family. King Charles has shown nothing but patience and love toward his youngest son, even walking Meghan down the aisle when her own father couldn’t be there. And how is he repaid? With constant drama and attempts to manipulate situations for publicity. Poor Prince William, watching his brother turn into this unrecognizable person who threatens police departments and tries to manipulate the media.

The William and Harry we knew growing up would never have behaved this way. But that Harry is long gone, replaced by someone who seems to jump at every opportunity to create drama and play the victim. The contrast between the two brothers couldn’t be more stark. While William is preparing to be king, working tirelessly alongside Catherine to serve the British people, Harry is in California firing off threatening emails to police departments and trying to manufacture crises. It’s actually heartbreaking when you think about it.

Let’s talk about the NYPD for a moment. These are highly trained professionals who deal with actual security threats every single day. The idea that Harry thinks he can pressure them into changing their assessment of a situation is just mind-boggling. And using the governor of California to try to influence New York law enforcement? That’s a new low, even for them.

You know what’s really sad? There was a time when Harry was one of the most beloved members of the royal family. People adored him. He was the cheerful, charming prince who served his country and started wonderful initiatives like the Invictus Games. Now look at him, sending threatening emails about paparazzi chases that many people doubt even happened the way they claimed.

And where does this end? What’s next? Will they try to manufacture more incidents to justify their demands? Will they continue trying to pressure law enforcement agencies into supporting their narrative? These are serious institutions they’re trying to manipulate, not PR firms they can boss around.

I’ve got to say, watching all this unfold, I’m more grateful than ever for our working royals. While this drama is playing out, Princess Catherine is out there making real differences in children’s lives with her early years work. Queen Camilla is supporting literacy and domestic violence survivors. King Charles is leading on environmental issues. That’s what real public service looks like.

The irony in all of this is that Harry and Meghan claim they left the UK for privacy and to escape media attention. Yet here they are, constantly creating situations that put them in the spotlight. If you truly want privacy, you don’t send threatening emails that are bound to leak. You don’t try to pressure police departments into supporting your narrative. You just live your life quietly and focus on your family. But that’s not what this is about, is it? It was never about privacy. It’s about control — control of the narrative, control of their image, control of how they’re perceived.

Sporting a smart military uniform, light gingery beard and jovial demeanour, one of the guests spotted arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Princess of Wales‘ carol concert – airing tonight on ITV – looks very familiar.

Eagled-eyed viewers tuning into the service might be forgiven for thinking Prince William and Prince Harry had embarked on a festive truce such is the likeness between the Duke of Sussex and a mystery airman attending Kate’s festive occasion.

 

Prince Harry’s cheerful doppelganger appeared in the trailer for the ‘Together At Christmas’ concert, which first aired last week ahead of the ITV broadcast on Christmas Eve.

Dressed in a RAF ceremonial uniform of the British Army, the Duke’s double appears 35 seconds into the footage looking uncannily like Prince Harry.

The real Prince Harry is spending a ‘quiet’ Christmas thousands of miles away at his home in California with Meghan Markle and the couple’s two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

The resemblance to King Charles’s youngest son, 40, who is still largely estranged from his family, isn’t just facial, the military man carries the same stature and build as Harry.

The appearance of the look-alike draws attention to the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Kate’s concert and from the royals’ Christmas celebrations more broadly – as another year passes with family relations still tense.

Families gathered on Christmas Eve are in for a regal treat when The Princess of Wales’ carol concert airs this evening to the nation.

+20
View gallery

Will the real Prince Harry please stand up? A chipper-looking Prince of Sussex lookalike is seen strolling in military uniform outside of Westminster Abbey ahead of the Princess of Wales’ Together At Christmas concert, which airs tonight on ITV

+20
View gallery

Uncanny: Prince Harry pictured alongside the Princess of Wales back in 2018, wearing full military dress to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force

+20
View gallery

At her fourth carol concert, the Princess of Wales will, in a voice over at the start of the service, ask people to ‘slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all’ and turn to ‘love, not fear’

It is the fourth time Kate Middleton has held the annual festive concert at Westminster Abbey – but this year’s is particularly poignant as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer; Prince William has described 2024 as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’.

Filmed earlier this month on December 6th, Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will air at 7:30pm on Christmas Eve on ITV1 and ITVX.

Royal fans will see the princess joined by William, 42, and the couple’s three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

A host of royal family members will be spotted by eagle-eyed viewers when the concert airs, as many of the Windsors turned out to support the Princess of Wales.

The entire Middleton family too, who have been Kate’s dedicated support network throughout her recent illness, was also out in force.

The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests, with the filming coinciding with Camilla’s ongoing recovery from a viral chest infection.

The concert earlier in the yuletide season marked one of the few times the mother-of-three has made a public appearance this year, after undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy in the first half of the year.

Kate has been described as being ‘hands on’ over every aspect of the service, including holding regular planning meetings at Windsor ahead of filming.

+20
View gallery

The Princess of Wales, pictured wearing an Alexander McQueen coat during the ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service – and chatting to singer Paloma Faith, right

+20
View gallery

The Duke of Sussex’s doppelganger, sporting the Prince’s trademark gingery beard, looked in jovial spirits as he walked around the entrance of Westminster Abbey

+20
View gallery

Prince Harry pictured in 2018 wearing full military dress with the Duchess of Sussex and Prince William at Buckingham Palace

+20
View gallery

Support: Viewers will see the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, from left, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service

+20
View gallery

This year’s service is particularly poignant as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer; Prince William has described 2024 as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’

On the day the service was filmed, the Princess arrived on her own at 4pm to view the abbey and oversee last minute arrangements.

However, the supportive royals have also helped Kate bring her ideas together, with everyone from King Charles, who donated Christmas trees, and Prince Louis, who penned a sweet note, helping to make the service a seasonal success.

Viewers will see the Princess of Wales looking elegant in an Alexander McQueen red coat, featuring a statement black bow, which she teamed with black Ralph Lauren boots for the festive occasion.

The theme of this year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ concert is love and empathy, which is perhaps suitable considering the difficult year the Princess has had.

A voice over featuring a message from Kate will be played at the start of the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

The broadcast of Kate’s service will open with a special festive message from the royal, in which she talks about the importance of love and empathy.

The Princess of Wales has called for people to ‘slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all’ and turn to ‘love, not fear’.

Her heartfelt message – which was given in a letter to every guest at the concert on December 6, and 15 regional community services and will be a voice over played at the start of the concert – was also shared in a clip from the upcoming broadcast.

+20
View gallery

Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales hold candles as they take a pew in Westminster Abbey during the service

+20
View gallery

Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service

+20
View gallery

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis look at messages on the Kindness Tree ahead of the Together At Christmas carol service

+20
View gallery

Other royals also in attendance included Zara Tindall, left, alongside her pregnant cousin Princess Beatrice, right, and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and his young son Wolfie

+20
View gallery

Zara clearly enjoyed the royal fashion memo, donning a velour trouser-suit the colour of burgundy, alongside matching heels and a gold bag for the event

Kate says: ‘Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it’s also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.

‘It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.

‘The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.’

Kate continues: ‘The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.

‘It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives.’

After this, the broadcast of her annual festive gathering will be narrated by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald and ‘feature three special community films which bring to life the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need’.

Kensington Palace said: ‘In each of the films, the groups are seen receiving letters from the princess inviting them to attend – and in the case of the Sankofa Songsters sing at – the service at Westminster Abbey.’

The films will showcase the Worcestershire Gingerbread Group, Go Beyond and intergenerational choir the Sankofa Songsters.

+20
View gallery

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked radiant in a purple patterned dress, teamed with a festive white jacket

+20
View gallery

Carole Middleton and Lady Gabriella Windsor arrive for the festive occasion in London today

+20
View gallery

James Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet matched in navy and burgundy outfits today

A depraved couple are set to spend the rest of their lives in prison after subjecting their two adopted sons to sickening sexual abuse.

William Zulock, 34, and Zachary Zulock, 36, were both sentenced to 100 years behind bars without possibility of parole. They pleaded guilty to multiple charges including aggravated sodomy, child molestation, incest and sexual exploitation of children.

The two men recorded the abuse to share with a ring of paedophiles. Prosecutors in Georgia, US, described their home as a “house of horrors”.

The Zulocks adopted their sons from a Christian special-needs agency in 2018 were then five and three years old. They presented themselves on social media as loving fathers, documenting their lives and flaunting their affluent lifestyle in suburban Atlanta.

William (L) and Zachary (R) will spend the rest of their lives behind bars ( 
Image:
Walton County Sheriff’s Office)

The sick couple regularly forced their boys to have sex with them on camera. Evidence also showed they bragged about the abuse to twisted friends. New York Times reports one friend told police Zachary once sent a Snapchat message reading: “I’m going to f**k my son tonight. Stand by.” The message was accompanied by images of the boy being abused.

They allegedly allowed at least two other men, who were part of the depraved local paedophile ring, to abuse the boys. The couple were arrested in 2022 after an alleged member of the ring was caught downloading child abuse images and told authorities of how the Zulocks were making sick content with boys living in their house.

Investigators uncovered more than seven terabytes of incriminating evidence in the home, including surveillance footage, graphic messages, and videos documenting the abuse.

At their sentencing, District Attorney Randy McGinley described the couple’s crimes as “as dark as it gets”. He also praised the young boys – who are now in foster care – for helping to ensure their abusers will never walk free. Both men will each serve 100 years behind bars without the possibility of parole, followed by a lifetime of probation.

“These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else,” McGinley said. “But their depravity was no match for the resolve of those fighting for justice.”

A 39-year-old man has been shot dead by armed police in Redditch, Worcestershire, West Mercia Police have said.

A five-hour stand off ended with the man pronounced dead shortly before 8pm on Christmas Eve. Officers had been called by West Midlands Ambulance Service to an address in Redditch, Worcestershire, at around 2pm after concerns were raised for the safety of a man with a knife. The force said attempts were made over “several hours” to deal with the incident, but the man was shot dead at around 7.40pm.

Despite efforts from the emergency services he was pronounced dead shortly before 8pm. The force has now been referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC.

Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills said: “We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory and right.

The block of flats in Redditch ( 
Image:
PA)

“We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body-worn camera footage.”

The force said there was no-one else was in the property at the time.