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As she’s awarded the Royal Warrant, Deborah Mitchell, Camilla’s facialist of 18 years, reveals how her Bee Venom facial became Her Majesty’s favourite beauty treatment…

Deborah Mitchell has come a long way from giving beauty treatments in a former disabled toilet in a Holiday Inn. The founder of beauty brand Heaven is celebrating being granted a Royal Warrant which marks her officially as a Supplier of Skincare Products and Treatments to HM the Queen.

It’s the culmination of an 18-year relationship which started in 2006, when Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, was one of the first people to try Deborah’s skin plumping, line-erasing Bee Venom Mask, a “wonder product” that she literally dreamed up.

“I asked myself, ‘what can I do to make my face look younger that’s not an injection?’ I went to bed and the next morning I knew how to do it. I made a substance called Abeetoxin, made from the venom of worker bees, so people who are allergic to bees aren’t affected by it.

“It’s very strong – it’s like having a facelift. Straight away when the bee venom goes on the face, the body thinks the skin has been stung and it sends helpers like collagen, elastin and blood to the skin. That tightens and firms the skin, so it not only looks younger but in far better condition – pores are closed, redness disappears and any spots go.”

Heaven founder Deborah Mitchell gives Luisa Metcalfe her signature facial which Camilla has been having for 18 years

Then Deborah was called up by Clarence House (she initially thought that the beauty brand Clarins was on the line), and asked to give Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, a facial. “I did her treatment and she absolutely loved it,” Deborah says. “I didn’t tell anybody about it but I think what happened then was that people started to notice how young she was looking.”

When word did get out about the Bee Venom Facial (from Clarence House itself, Deborah stresses), she practically became a household name. Yet Deborah’s success hasn’t changed her. “If I need to solve a problem in the business, I don’t sit in the office, I go and have a bath,” she says.

At 60, she glows with health and looks years younger than her age. She has a natural warmth and ease that would make anyone feel relaxed and comfortable – it’s impossible to picture her getting nervous around her more famous clients.

Born and bred in Telford, Shropshire, she still lives there, her factory is in nearby Shifnal and her daughter Ella, who’s 28 and the spit of her mother, is also part of the company. “I was trained when I was 18 and I was very lucky that they taught me how to make my own skincare products. There weren’t many skincare brands around then so we had to make it ourselves,” she says.

Queen Camilla has been seeing Deborah Mitchell for her bee venom facials since 2006 and still loves them ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
“I’m quite an entrepreneur and I love making products and designing products – there’s nothing else I’d rather do. So I worked in a salon, and then I was mobile, and I’d make products and hand them to customers after their treatments. “My first ever proper treatment room was a disabled toilet in a Holiday Inn in Telford. We had to remove the toilet ourselves. That’s how Heaven was born.”

The brand started to appear in department stores and then she gained celebrity clients including Duran Duran – “I’m still friends with Andy Taylor ’s wife, Tracey” – even travelling to LA with them. Other A-list fans included Victoria Beckham, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kylie Minogue (the moisture-boosting Orange Flower Hydrogel is her favourite) and her sister Dannii.

But it’s Heaven’s Bee Venom Mask that really put Deborah on the map. It currently comes in three versions: Silver (£93 for 60ml) made from worker bee venom, Black (£184 for 60ml), which includes rare bee venom, and Gold (£370), containing queen bee venom so rare that only 500 pots are made annually. There is a Nettle Venom cream for vegan clients.

“We limit when you buy it, you’re not allowed to buy too many. For Christmas I gave the Queen the gold venom and she was over the moon,” Deborah says. The crowning glory was receiving the Royal Warrant before Christmas last year. “What’s so important about it is that it’s like a certification to say that she uses it and likes it.

The Queen is associated with a practical, elegant yet no-fuss approach to her appearance. “She’s a natural beauty,” says Deborah. “She won’t have anything that isn’t natural and ecological. Most of my products have ingredients that are organic and all sustainable.”

Deborah Mitchell founded her beauty brand in Telford where she was born and bred
Other members of the Royal Family might be fans of Heaven too, but Deborah won’t confirm, only hinting that, “a lot of products were given at Sandringham over Christmas.”

Despite the support of Chris, her husband of 30 years, Deborah doesn’t sugarcoat what it took for her to become so successful. “If somebody was reading this and thinking, ‘this looks like a charmed life’, I’d say it feels like it was because I loved my job. But you have to make a choice when you’re going to grow something big.

“You have to make a choice about what you’re prepared to lose to have it. There are times that you have to work night and day.”

Deborah is still dreaming big, but keeping her feet firmly on the ground. “I wouldn’t want to just work with famous people, I spend half of my working week doing treatments with customers – I think about my customers all the time.”

Visit heavenskincare.com for more information

Luisa, pictured before her treatment (left) and afterwards (right) – her jawline showed the

‘My fine lines were gone’

Deborah Mitchell gives LUISA METCALFE the royal treatment

It’s not often that the same hands that have touched the Queen’s face work their wizardry on your own – and Deborah Mitchell really does have a magic touch. Full disclosure: my skin isn’t in bad nick. At 47, after decades of using SPF I don’t have too many lines and wrinkles, but thanks to gravity and fast-depleting collagen I have the classic sagging jawline and hooded eyes of middle age.

Deborah also observed that the skin on my cheeks was “quite dry”, explaining that the slight redness is a sign that my skin barrier isn’t in great condition. She then started to apply her products including a light moussey cleanser with a subtle neroli and ylang-ylang scent that removes “zombie” cells from the skin’s surface to help it glow.

When she applied the Bee Venom Mask my skin started to tingle. She then went to work pressing and pummelling every muscle on my face, including around my eye sockets, and massaging my neck, decollete, upper back and upper arms.

When the facial was finished, I was astonished by the difference to my face. The fine lines around my eyes and between my brows were gone; the deeper lines – from my nose to my mouth – were reduced. My skin looked calm, without a trace of redness.

My eyebrows seem to have shot up, my cheekbones seemed higher, my skin was plumper and my jaw line looked tauter and less saggy. Who needs a facelift when you can have a facial?

Prince Andrew met Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang and Middle East investment firm Waterberg Stirling at Windsor’s Royal Lodge days before documents revealed ties to ‘Chinese spy’ Yang Tengbo

Prince Andrew hosted the Chinese ambassador at his royal mansion days before his ‘spy’ scandal came out, it has been revealed.

The disgraced royal invited Zheng Zeguang to Windsor’s Royal Lodge on December 9 to meet with Middle East investment firm Waterberg-Stirling. He was pictured that same day driving home from Windsor Castle after an earlier-than-typical morning horse ride. The meeting came three days before the 64-year-old Duke was named in court papers as having links to Yang Tengbo – an accused Chinese spy.

The 50-year-old businessman is banned from the UK after accusations of spying – allegations he has denied. Mr Yang and the Duke are said to have developed an “unusual degree of trust”, while the Chinese national also reportedly developed close relationships with politicians which could have been used as “leverage” by the Chinese government. His relationship with the Duke had been known about privately since last summer.

Zheng Zeguang (left), Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China, met in December with Prince Andrew ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Pictures of the two men meanwhile are still showing on Buckingham Palace’s official Facebook page. Days before the public revelation, The Sun reports Andrew, who stepped away from official duties in 2019 after his disastrous Newsnight interview over his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, facilitated a meeting between current ambassador Mr Zheng and Waterberg Stirling’s Oleg Firer.

The firm has links to China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative, building infrastructure in developing countries such as Laos in South East Asia ‘to win influence’. Soviet-born Vice Chair Firer meanwhile was once Grenada’s ambassador to Russia and was banned from entering the Caribbean nation in 2023 on security grounds.

Besides its simple website offering basic information, little is known about Waterberg Stirling other than it having been described as a “key stakeholder” in Dutch firm Startupbootcamp which is in negotiations to exploit Andrew’s contacts from his former Pitch@Palace scheme – a Dragon’s Den style initiative he stepped back from following the Newsnight scandal.

The meeting was held at Royal Lodge in Windsor, which the King has been urging Andrew to downsize from ( 
Image:
N.C)
The King is said to be “exasperated” by the latest scandal over his brother’s business dealings. A royal source told the Mirror: “It seems that every single time he is leaving him to sort out his own affairs, another matter of concern is raised. The King has been incredibly patient. Assurances were given to the Crown Estate from the Duke over the finances available for vital repairs on his Royal Lodge home but if there are concerns over the source of such income then the onus will be on the Duke to explain in full without delay.

“There is always an intense worry over what else may develop from the Duke’s private life given recent history and seeing as these latest allegations have emerged in less than a week, the Duke should be prepared to give a full explanation as to what is actually going on.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have showed off their artistic skills as their mum, the Princess of Wales, released portraits drawn by the youngsters

Princess Kate has released portraits drawn by her three children in a bid to encourage families to get creative together.

Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, each drew pictures of one another, while the Princess of Wales released her own sketch, the subject of which appears to be six-year-old Louis.

The sketches delighted royal fans, who praised the youngsters’ creative talents. One person said: “Wow! Prince George is so talented,” while another echoed the sentiment, writing: “Prince George’s portrait of his mum, The Princess of Wales, is amazing.”

Someone else added: “Wow Prince George has inherited his mother Catherine and his grandfather King Charles’s talent for art, drawing and painting.”

The Wales family drew portraits of one another ( 
Image:
X/KensingtonRoyal)

Kate and William are encouraging their kids to be creative

“This is a great way of being creative, and these are FANTASTIC portraits! Thank you for sharing them,” wrote another.

A fifth shared: “Beautiful drawings ! Thanks for sharing! Clearly Prince George has inherited his mother Princess Catherine’s talent! I bet you all had a lot of fun doing this!”

Prince William previously commended his wife and children’s artistic skills, confessing that they’re much more creative than he is – perhaps explaining why he didn’t partake in the portrait drawing. Last year, during a visit to a youth centre, he mused: “My wife is the arty one, my children are artier than I am.”

Explaining Kate’s wish for families across the UK to pick up their own pencils, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: “Following on from the launch of The Bobeam Tree Trail at the National Portrait Gallery earlier this month, The Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood are encouraging families to get creative together.

“When children engage in enjoyable activities with friends, family, and other caring adults, it not only allows them to have fun in the moment but can also help them to develop their social and emotional skills for the future. Creative activities like arts and crafts can be great ways to spend time together, have fun, and nurture your relationships. They also encourage children to focus their thoughts, involve communicating with others, and help them to know themselves.

“One idea is to sit down together and create portraits of one another. You can enjoy this activity in any way that is fun for you and the child you are with; you might want to draw, paint, or make a model out of things around the house to make your portrait. The magic of this activity comes in really looking at and focusing on each other, connecting, and having fun together.”

An explosive new royal book has claimed that Meghan’s frustrations over the size of the couple’s ‘small’ royal home sparked a sudden realisation for Prince Harry

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first moved in together, they called Nottingham Cottage home. But despite being located in the grounds of Kensington Palace, the property wasn’t exactly what the duchess would have expected from a royal residence.

In the couple’s self-titled documentary series for Netflix, Meghan revealed that she was surprised at the size of her new home, labelling it “so small”. The Sussexes revealed that when TV presenter Oprah Winfrey came round for tea, she joked “no one would ever believe it” about the property.

“Kensington Palace sounds very regal, of course it does,” Meghan said in the series. “It says ‘palace’ in the name! But Nottingham Cottage was so small.”

And it turns out that the size of the grace-and-favour home the couple shared before their wedding became something of a catalyst in Harry’s relationship with the rest of the Royal Family, according to a new book.

Nottingham Cottage featured in the couple’s Netflix documentary ( 
Image:
Netflix)

Meghan called the home “so small” ( 
Image:
Netflix)

Royal author Tom Quinn’s new tome ‘Yes Ma’am’ makes a series of bombshell claims, including how Meghan found it “belittling” that Harry’s home was so small. According to royal sources the writer spoke to, this became a point of contention with his family, despite Harry not seeming to have an issue with it previously.

In the explosive new book, seen by the Mirror, a former staff member is quoted as saying: “Starting life as a member of the Royal Family in Nottingham Cottage was the beginning of all Meghan’s troubles – she felt it was so small that it must be a reflection on how the Royal Family were belittling her husband. She just didn’t understand that real royals don’t care much about houses and material possessions because having always had them they take them for granted.”

The royal author claims that the glaring differences between the Sussexes’ smaller residence and Prince William and Princess Kate’s home – a vast apartment with room for live-in servants in Kensington Palace – created “a vague feeling that the Kensington Palace staff tended to treat Harry as less important than his brother” in Meghan’s eyes.

Sources claimed the fact William and Kate’s home was so much bigger became a point of contention ( 
Image:
Netflix)

Meghan wasn’t happy in the cottage sources claimed ( 
Image:
Netflix)Another former staff member is said to have told the author: “Meghan spotted immediately that Harry wasn’t quite as central to things as his brother William. This was the start of the whole grievance thing about being the spare. I don’t think Harry had even thought much about the fact that he was a spare until well into his marriage.

“Meghan managed to give him more perspective because she could see the family from the outside and her experience of growing up was so totally different and, with her mixed-race heritage, as we now have to describe it, she was acutely sensitive to how people behaved towards each other; in fact, I think she was over-sensitive on Harry’s behalf and convinced herself he was being treated as completely unimportant.”

In Harry’s memoir Spare, he wrote that he remembered feeling “embarrassed” of the home he could offer Meghan, when the couple moved into together for the first time, despite his excitement to share a home with her, and compared it to Kate and William’s palatial apartment. “I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace,” Harry wrote.

The Mirror has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.

Prince William stopped by the BAFTA Film Awards after all after previously revealing that both he and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, would be missing the ceremony

Prince William made a U-turn appearance at the BAFTA Film Awards.

It comes after reports that the heir would be missing the ceremony alongside Princess Kate this year. Prince William, who is the president of BAFTA and has attended the film awards for several years running, was confirmed by Kensington Palace to be missing this year’s ceremony as he’s currently on a family getaway for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ half term breaks.

However, the royal still managed to make an appearance in a pre-recorded video ahead of the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award. “As president of BAFTA, I’m delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rising Star Award which is presented in honour of casting director Mary Selway,” he said in a pre-recorded clip.

“What a 20 years and what a line-up of exceptional talent. Since 2006, this award has not only championed the industry’s rising stars but it’s helped inspire the next generation of acting talent to pursue their dreams. The five incredibly talented people nominated tonight demonstrate a remarkable range of performances and have each captured the imagination of audiences over the last year.

BAFTA president Prince William made a surprise appearance during the 2025 awards

“Judging by the international success of the previous nominees and winners of this award, I am certain that we’ll be seeing much more of their work over the next 20 years and beyond.” Prince William then welcomed previous winners James McAvoy and Letitia Wright to the stage before wishing the audience a wonderful night.

The pair then announced Industry star David Jonsson as the 2025 winner, with the 31-year-old beating the likes of Marisa Abela, Jharrel Jerome, Mikey Madison and Nabhaan Rizwan in the category. Delivering his speech, the Rye Lane actor said: “I’ve got to be honest, this isn’t why I do it? Do you know what I mean? I’m just an east London boy.”

He added: “I didn’t really see a space for me in this industry. But this award is about people and as long as we can keep telling stories about people I think there’s got to be a space for me.” Earlier in the night, BAFTA viewers took to social media to complain about the ceremony after learning that the results of the pre-recorded awards were already public.

One wrote on X: “Accidentally opened this app so now I basically got spoiled for the baftas.” “I’m getting off twitter bc the baftas is getting spoiled hahahah sorry that sounds so ridiculous,” another wrote.

Prince Harry looked delighted to be reunited with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and also had a poignant reminder of his late grandmother the Queen when he was seen petting a corgi

Prince Harry and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau shook hands and embraced in a man hug at the Invictus Games.

The royal, 40, looked delighted to see Trudeau before sitting down with him to watch the indoor rowing event at Vancouver Conference Centre. The pair, who were excitedly supporting the athletes from their seats, continued their bromance after meeting several times before.

Indoor rowing is the final event being held before tonight’s closing ceremony at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. After watching the action, the pair posed for pictures with wellwishers on their way out. Among those who were lucky enough to get a snap with the Duke of Sussex was Frodo, a corgi who has his own Instagram account. The breed of dog was a favourite of Harry’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

The pair were spotted laughing and joking as they watched indoor rowing at the Invictus Games ( 
Image:
PA)
Frodo is a support dog to his Royal Canadian Air Force veteran owner Grace Campbell. The pair met Harry, 40, and wife Meghan, 43, earlier in the Games. Writing on social media on Thursday, Grace said: “We loved meeting him and Meghan.”

Frodo is a three-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He has met the Duke three times at the Games – once on Friday and again on Sunday. He also met Harry with Meghan earlier this week. Speaking about Friday’s meeting, owner Grace Campbell said: “He mostly just talked to Frodo. He gave him treats and got him to shake a paw. He said he loved dogs.”

Today is the last day of the Invictus Games in Canada and Harry is expected to give a speech at the closing ceremony, which will also include performances by US singer Jelly Roll and Canadian legends Barenaked Ladies.

The pair have met several times before ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
Yesterday, at the penultimate day of the event in Vancouver and Whistler, Harry had a royal reunion with a prince and princess. He was joined to watch the sitting vollyeball tournament by Prince Joachim of Denmark and his wife Princess Marie. The couple stood with Harry enjoying a light-hearted chat and cheered on competitors.

Joachim is the younger brother of King Frederik of Denmark. Harry last crossed paths with him in 2017, when the pair both visited a military training centre together in the Danish capital Copenhagen. At it seems that Joachim has also had family drama with his own royal relatives – similar to Harry.

The reunion came after Harry, 40, was mobbed by fans desperate for selfies at the sitting volleyball matches, leading to his security team being forced to step in. The reunion came just a day after Meghan marked Valentines Day by posting a photo on Instagram of her exchanging a kiss with Harry.

She said: “Back home taking care of our babies, and missing my Valentine, as he continues on at the Invictus Games, changing lives and reminding all of us of the power of healing and resilience through these incredible veterans and their families. Beyond proud of my husband and what he’s created.”

Referencing the meal in the photograph, she added: “My love, I will eat burgers & fries and fish & chips with you forever. Thank you for you.” Later, she also shared a video that gave a glimpse of her children helping her prepare heart-shaped treats. Meghan posted a video of herself cutting heart-shaped strawberries and preparing Valentine’s themed food alongside her children, with the song L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, on her Instagram story.

Prince Harry attended the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver where he was given a standing ovation following a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

An embarrassed Prince Harry told the audience to ‘sit down’ during an emotional moment that moved him to tears as the Invictus Games came to an end.

Around 12,000 people packed into Vancouver’s Rogers Arena as the 2025 edition of the games came to an end after nine days of competition. Harry arrived at the ceremony alone after wife Meghan Markle flew back to California several days ago. The emotionally charged two-hour show featured young members of the indigenous four host nations, whose land has provided the venues for the Games, ahead of a Parade of Nation flags, which saw Canadian cadets carry the flags of all 23 teams.

And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also took to the stage to give a rousing speech, where he paid a touching tribute to Harry, who helped to set up the Games over 10 years ago, causing a standing ovation from competitors and officials surrounding him.

Harry was visibly moved as he listened to the speeches ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
Looking embarrassed by the reception, Harry humbly put his finger to his lips and could be seen telling them: “Sit down!”. Mr Trudeau also congratulated the competitors and their families. Speaking in both English and French, he said: “Each and every one of you is an inspiration. You all embody what it means to be unconquered.”

Paying tribute to the Ukrainian team, he said: “To the Ukrainian competitors, who have fought for and are fighting to protect your homeland each and every day, as you fight for your homeland, you are fighting for democracy. We will be with you every step of the way until victory!”.

Harry and Justin Trudeau earlier in the day ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
Mr Trudeau also addressed the US team, describing them as “our neighbours, our allies, our friends. We all stand proudly together. Americans are our friends always.” Mr Trudeau added: “To the Canadian competitors, I think I speak for our entire 41-million-strong family when I say how grateful we are for every single one of you. You are an inspiration to all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.”

The outgoing Prime Minister’s kind words for Harry came just hours after the pair shook hands and embraced in a man hug. The royal, 40, looked delighted to see Trudeau before sitting down with him to watch the indoor rowing event at Vancouver Conference Centre before the opening ceremony. The pair, who were excitedly supporting the athletes from their seats, continued their bromance after meeting several times before.

After watching the action, the pair posed for pictures with wellwishers on their way out. Among those who were lucky enough to get a snap with the Duke of Sussex was Frodo, a corgi who has his own Instagram account. The breed of dog was a favourite of Harry’s late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

Frodo is a three-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He has met the Duke three times at the Games – once on Friday and again on Sunday. He also met Harry with Meghan earlier this week. Speaking about Friday’s meeting, owner Grace Campbell said: “He mostly just talked to Frodo. He gave him treats and got him to shake a paw. He said he loved dogs.”

The Duke of Sussex attended the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Canada, where the Invictus Games flag was handed over to the 2027 host Birmingham

The Duke of Sussex was in the thick of the action at the Invictus Games in Canada, showing his support for Team UK athletes during the closing ceremony. As the founding patron of the games, Prince Harry has been a constant presence throughout the eventful week, even attending an indoor rowing competition alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday.

Earlier in the week, Harry was spotted cheering on friends and family of Team UK at a thrilling wheelchair rugby match that saw Britain clinch a silver medal. The closing ceremony wasn’t just a celebration but also marked the official transition to Birmingham as the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games.

Since its inception in 2014, Harry has played a pivotal role in the Invictus Games, which provides a platform for injured, sick, and wounded service personnel to compete in sports. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, as Prime Minister Trudeau took a moment during the ceremony to express his gratitude: “To the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, without whom these Invictus Games would never have happened,” he declared to the enthusiastic audience.

Canada’ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heaped praise on the Duke of Sussex for his pivotal role in the Invictus Games ( 
Image:
© 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)

He added, “As someone you roped in early in my time as Prime Minister, I can testify to the energy, the dedication, the commitment this man has to you and to this ideal.”

Team UK captains Stephen “Hoops” Hooper, Neil Thomas, and Gemma Barnes had the honour of receiving the official flag, symbolising the handover from Whistler and Vancouver to Birmingham.

Among the memorable moments of the games was a heart-warming proposal by British army veteran James Cairns to his girlfriend Hannah Wild during the first day of the wheelchair basketball.

Prince Harry celebrated Team UK’s results ( 
Image:
© 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)

The Duke of Sussex made a speech at the Closing Ceremony of the Invictus Games ( 
Image:
© 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Over 60 UK veterans flocked to take part in the inaugural winter games in Whistler and Vancouver. RAF veteran Mr Hooper recounted an “awesome” week, telling reporters, “From proposals to PBs, we’ve enjoyed stunning scenery and made memories to last a lifetime.”

He added, “We arrived in Canada full of anticipation – we leave stronger, braver, more resilient and closer than ever to our recovery. We are proud to bring Games home to Birmingham in ‘27.”

Al Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, is already anticipating the next chapter. “Many of us, especially those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, have come back to Birmingham for treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, playing a key role in their recovery,” he shared.

Prince Harry has spent more than a decade promoting the Invictus Games into a world event ( 
Image:
© 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)Carns highlighted the special significance of the forthcoming games: “For them, to return to Birmingham, and to take part in the next games, will complete their journey to recovery.

“The Invictus Games is not just about courage, it’s about the continuation of service for individuals who are given the opportunity to once again serve and represent a country”.

Meghan Markle was not at Prince Harry’s side during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver tonight but she did send him a message via her Instagram Stories

Meghan Markle may have missed out on Prince Harry’s big moment at the Invictus Games closing ceremony. But that didn’t stop her from taking to her newly launched Instagram account to send a gushing message to her husband as the 2025 Games in Canada came to a tear-jerking end.

Meghan had been with Harry for the first few days of competition in Vancouver and Whistler but returned home on Tuesday to California to be with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Last night, around 12,000 people packed into Vancouver’s Rogers Arena where they heard Harry give a speech as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who paid a touching tribute to a tearful Harry, who helped to set up the Games over 10 years ago, causing a standing ovation from competitors and officials surrounding him.

Meghan Markle’s message to Harry on her Instagram Stories ( 
Image:
Meghan Markle/Instagram)

Prince Harry gives his closing speech at the 2025 Games ( 
Image:
PA)
Looking embarrassed by the reception, Harry humbly put his finger to his lips and could be seen telling them: “Sit down!”. And taking to social media, Meghan shared a clip of the emotional moment with the message: “So proud of you” and the applause emoji. The video she shared had been taken from inside the arena but had been shared with the Duchess by a friend who was at the ceremony.

During his speech, Harry, who founded the Invictus Games for injured service people in 2014, also vowed that the event, which will next be held in Birmingham in 2027, will continue for as long as it is needed.

He said: “Here we are more than a decade later in a world still full of strife and trauma. And as much as we wish these Games weren’t necessary, I understand why they are still needed, perhaps more than ever. It’s because of the strength you give to the world, the power of your example, your duty to one another. You may swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion, and your spirit of service.

An emotional Prince Harry at the Invictus Games closing ceremony ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)“I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead, but I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you were before. You’ve reclaimed what was lost, restored what was broken… achieved the impossible. Remember what makes you tick. Hold onto it. Rely on it. Use it for yourself and those around you, for service to one another will save us.”

Meghan has been very active on Instagram since the Games began and on Friday marked Valentine’s Day by posting a photo of her exchanging a kiss with Harry. She said: “Back home taking care of our babies, and missing my Valentine, as he continues on at the Invictus Games, changing lives and reminding all of us of the power of healing and resilience through these incredible veterans and their families. Beyond proud of my husband and what he’s created.”

Referencing the meal in the photograph, she adds: “My love, I will eat burgers & fries and fish & chips with you forever. Thank you for you.” Later, she also shared a video that gave a glimpse of her children helping her prepare heart-shaped treats. Meghan posted a video of herself cutting heart-shaped strawberries and preparing Valentine’s themed food alongside her children, with the song L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, on her Instagram story.

The mother-of-two shows off her culinary skills, decorating pink snacks with her daughter Lilibet before carrying the plate outside, following her son Archie. Neither child’s face can be seen in the video, in keeping with the couple’s attempts to maintain their privacy.

On Sunday night, Dancing on Ice viewers saw the remaining contestants take to the ice once again in a bid to remain in competition

Dancing on Ice viewers were less than impressed on Sunday night as the fifth celebrity was eliminated from the ITV show.

After each of the stars took to the ice to perform in front of the judges, Charlie Brooks and Anton Ferdinand found themselves in the bottom two.

With the skate-off returning, both contestants had to perform once again in a bid to be saved by the panel. In the end, all the judges decided to save Anton.

This meant Charlie became the fifth person to be eliminated from the competition. However, Dancing on Ice viewers weren’t thrilled by the decision, with many taking to social media to air their thoughts.

Dancing on Ice viewers reel ‘fix’ as fifth star eliminated from ITV show 

Taking to Twitter, one person reeled: “#DancingOnIce What a fix.” Someone else commented: “#dancingonice should of been Anton out again but hmmm.”

One person said: “Gutted that #Charlie is out loved her personality she should not have gone. #Dancingonice.”

With another commenting: “Very sorry to see you go, Charlie. Your improvement and increased confidence on the ice was a pure joy to watch. Sending so much love to you and to Eric.”

Dancing on Ice viewers were not happy Charlie lost the skate off
Someone else fumed: “This series has been potentially the worst I have ever seen. So many surprising scores, contradicting comments, sending the best skaters home.. honestly it has been difficult to watch.”

While another said: “Boooo fix #DancingOnIce.” However, it seemed as though Charlie wasn’t phased to be leaving the competition.

Speaking about her time on the show, Charlie commented: “I’ve had the most amazing time, the right person went home. I was starting to fee slightly out of my depth and I’ve just loved every second.”

The EastEnders star became the fifth person to leave the ITV competitionAs the EastEnders star took a moment to thank the coaches who help behind the scenes, Charlie was quick to praise her skating partner. She added: “Eric, who has been an absolute dream, so yeah, it’s been amazing. Thank you.”

Commenting on her time on the show, host Stephen Mulhern said: “Do you know something? You have been brilliant. Backstage, on the rink, you’re just a lovely person.”

Charlie told the host she’d be staying in contact with her skating partner as Holly agreed the show has enjoyed her being part of it.