Blog

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.

The Doctor Who actor, 53, couldn’t resist ripping into the US reality star and her award-nominated lover Timothee, 29, as they sat front row at the swanky awards ceremony

David Tennant couldn’t resist a swipe at Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet at the BAFTAs.

The pair were sitting close to the front row of the prestigious event and in David’s firing line. The Scottish star, steering the helm of UK film’s most illustrious evening, took a light-hearted dig at 27 year old reality TV royalty Kylie and her Oscar-hopeful sweetheart Timothée, aged 29.

Kicking things off with a bit of banter, David quipped: “Here is someone else who deserves a special mention. We’re very lucky enough to be joined tonight by the runner-up in the recent Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest in New York.

“Welcome to the BAFTAs.” This cheeky reference was to the 2024 unofficial ‘lookalike’ competition that exploded across social media, seeing a host of shaggy-haired chaps vying for a modest cash reward. In a twist that tickled fans, Chalamet himself made an appearance and amusingly placed second for his own ‘resemblance’.

Kylie appeared confused by David’s comments ( 
Image:
BBC)

Fast forward to this evening, and David reached out for a handshake with Timothée, jesting: “There is a definite likeness there.”, reports the Daily Star. Not skipping a beat, he probed: “How long are you in London?” To which the Leading Actor nominee for ‘A Complete Unknown’ responded he’d be around for “three days.”

Quick-witted David suggested Timothée polish up his British accent as it ‘wasn’t quite there,’ before turning his playful ribbing towards Kylie, insinuating she was more of a Kylie Jenner doppelganger than the genuine article. “Good attention to detail,” he teased the star-studded crowd.

“You’re with a Kylie Jenner lookalike,” he joked. Kylie stared blankly ahead before pointing to herself, making sure everyone knew she was no impersonator, and then laughed off the joke. Earlier, Tennant had taken a jab at US President Donald Trump, calling him a “villain” and expressing his fear that he would ‘summon’ the controversial president if he mentioned his name three times.

Kylie and Timothée put on a very loved-up display ( 
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)
Timothée walked the red carpet solo as he looked dapper in a black double breasted blazer and matching trousers. He added a statement silver necklace as well as a large silver ring on his little finger.

Kylie avoided the red carpet but took to her seat at the Royal Festival Hall. She looked stunning in a black mesh gown with embellished details. The influencer added silver heels as well as silver earrings and wore her dark locks in a loose bun. As she took her seat, she could be seen chatting to Monica Barbaro as Timothée came over to join them.

The couple tend to keep their relationship out of the spotlight yet Kylie and Timothée have shared several romantic moments at high-profile events. At the 2025 Golden Globes, they were seen locking lips during the ceremony, and later that month, she attended the Saturday Night Live afterparty following Chalamet’s hosting gig.

Phillip Schofield is said to be supporting his pal and former This Morning colleague Gino D’Acampo, with a source claiming they both feel they have been treated unfairly by ITV

Phillip Schofield is reportedly supporting Gino D’Acampo after the TV chef was axed from ITV following misconduct claims.

The pair are thought to have remained close since they worked together on This Morning, with Gino regularly presenting the cooking segment on the show. Now Phil – who lost his TV career in 2023 after admitting an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague – is said to be helping his pal, who was ‘cancelled’ earlier this month after numerous women came forward to claim he had behaved badly towards them.

Gino, who firmly denies the allegations, has been accused of “distressing” and “sexually inappropriate” behaviour in an ITV News probe. More than 40 people are reported to have come forward to detail experiences described as “unacceptable,” “distressing” and “horrendous” while working with him over a period spanning more than 12 years.

One woman, who has been named as Hannah to protect her identity, alleged she was on the receiving end of vulgar comments from Gino in 2011. She claims the chef said he would “like to turn me over and f*** me up the a*** against the kitchen counter.” Another former colleague, who was a runner at the time, claimed Gino once told him: “If you don’t get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend.” People are said to have been fearful of any consequences if they ever spoke out about their alleged encounters.

( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

But with ITV pulling Gino’s shows, such as Family Fortunes and Gino’s Italy: Secrets of the South – and pals like Gordon Ramsay reportedly “throwing him under the bus” – it’s Phil who is said to have stepped up to be there for his former colleague. Gino and Phil’s wives, Stephanie and Jessica, are also said to be close, with Phil and Steph reportedly attending Jessica’s 50th birthday party at members’ club Soho House last month.

A source told the Mail on Sunday: “Phil and Gino always got on well. He was part of the This Morning family for a long time so Phil has kept in contact with him, and he is a very good listener. Phil knows what it’s like to go through losing his TV career, so he’s been a good support. As well as working together, their wives are close. Mental health is something Phil cares about deeply. He wants to help where he can.”

The source claimed that both men believed they were treated unfairly by ITV. Phil is said to maintain that if he’d had a straight affair with a younger woman, instead of a man, he would have been treated differently by the broadcaster. While Gino claims he was encouraged to act in a ‘laddy’ and ‘flirty way’ before he was axed by the channel this month. “You can just imagine what they would have to say about ITV during their chats,” the pal added. The Mirror has approached Phil’s reps for comment on this story.

Gino has firmly denied all allegations against him, saying he finds them “deeply upsetting”. In a statement he said: “I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago. I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied. I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me.”

The statement continued: “Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately. I am a father, husband and have worked with well over 1,500 people on around 80 productions in my career, which I have been so proud of. I take such matters extremely seriously and the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting.”

Former BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball appears to be living a much quieter and wholesome lifestyle after stepping out of the limelight last year

Zoe Ball has swapped out the hustle and bustle of her showbiz career and is now spending her time ‘working in a local cafe’ and living a softer and more slow-paced life.

Radio presenter Zoe, 54, stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December to ‘focus on her family’ as she let go of her £950,000 salary. Now, her son Woody, 24, has revealed that his famous mum has been doing ‘lots of puzzles’ and has been getting back into gardening since quitting her job at the BBC.

Woody admitted it has been ‘funny’ watching his ‘crazy party’ parents Zoe and Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, ditching their wild nights out on the town for a more wholesome lifestyle. “In the last five years, it’s been funny watching my parents take up gardening both of them,” he shared.

Zoe’s son then revealed that his parents are now working in their local cafe. Fatboy Slimowns the Big Beach Cafe in Hove and is often seen working in the eatery wearing a name badge reading: “Norm.”

Zoe Ball ‘working in cafe’ with Fatboy Slim after turning back on BBC Radio 2

“These crazy party people I grew up with are now gardening, making puzzles and working in the local café. It’s very funny to see that transitional period, just as I’m kind of leaving the nest and now at the start of something big for me in music,” he told MailOnline.

Woody also addressed his mother’s departure from BBC Radio 2, admitting that he’s thrilled about her decision because he now gets to spend a lot more time with her. “It’s lovely seeing my mum more, because obviously she’s had quite a weird schedule for the last few years.”

Zoe Ball is working in her local cafe, according to her son Woody ( 
Image:
Instagram/woody_cook)
Zoe announced that she would be departing BBC Radio 2 just months after her extended absence from the show during the summer following her mother’s death earlier this year. During that time, fellow radio hosts Scott Mills and Gabby Roslin filled in with her, with Scott now confirmed as Zoe’s permanent replacement.

In a statement on air, Zoe said that she believed it was time to “start a new chapter” after six years of early starts. However, she confirmed that she would be still be working with Radio 2 in some capacity after her exit.

Zoe quit her role on BBC Radio 2 last year ( 
Image:
PA)

She said: “Ok you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. You know I think the world of you all listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we?

“We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats. I’m going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I’m going to miss Tina and Richie. They’ve all become like family to me, like you lot. But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest. So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.

“I’m not going to be a stranger, I’m staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it’s an amazing family – as we saw last week with Paddy’s fantastic Children in Need challenge- and I’ll have more news on that in the New Year. I just want to say I’m so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies.

“Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? Well the good news is you don’t have to wait very long to find out. I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning . But for now, know I love you all to bits and this song from Supertramp seemed like a good one to play.”

Zoe was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000. She also co-hosted the BBC ’s Saturday morning children’s magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

The BAFTA Film Awards returned for another year as stars from the big screen headed to London to celebrate their successes, yet there were a few hiccups along the way not shown on TV

The BAFTA Film Awards returned for another year filled of glitzy showbiz glamour, yet it didn’t go down without a few mistakes that were kept off the TV broadcast.

Stars from the big screen headed to London on Sunday night to celebrate their achievements from the past year. Doctor Who’s David Tennant took on hosting duties as he welcomed the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Grant and Warwick Davis to the Royal Festival Hall.

Movies Conclave and The Brutalist scooped up huge gongs on the night while Adrien Brody won Best Actor and Mikey Madison bagged Best Actress. The award ceremony was broadcast on BBC yet there was plenty of drama omitted from the programme including wardrobe malfunctions, swearing and digs at Donald Trump. Here is a look at what you may have missed…

Wardrobe malfunction

Host David suffered a wardrobe malfunction ( 
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)
Host David Tennant kicked off the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards with an exciting monologue, however he was hit with technical issues at the start of the ceremony in unaired scenes. At the start of the awards, David stepped out to make his opening monologue when his microphone wire fell out of his kilt. “We’ll cut that bit out,” he told the audience. It was cut out of the BBC programme that went on air shortly afterwards.

Swearing

Actress Zoe Saldana swore while on stage ( 
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)

Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldana won the supporting actress BAFTA and said the win was “so validating” and “a true honour”. She added: “This was a creative challenge of a lifetime, how do you begin to even approach a film that just defies categorisation, and you start by taking the lead of (director) Jacques Audiard.”

However, she then swore after saying she was being given a countdown. Zoe shouted “f**k, f**k, f**k” and added: “Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds and I hope Emilia Perez did something like this, because voices need to be heard, just not my English accent.” Coverage of the awards did not air her f-bomb fuelled conclusion but showed her walking away from the stage.

Donald Trump dig

David Tennant decided to take a swipe at US President Donald Trump during his opening monologue. He made his entrance to The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and quipped he “walked 500 miles just to host one BAFTAs more.” The actor didn’t shy away from addressing contentious issues in his opening speech.

He made a cheeky reference to Trump while discussing The Brutalist, describing it as “a film about incredible architecture. In fact, it’s the boldest architecture in film this year, apart from Donald Trump’s hair in The Apprentice.” Referring to the biopic based on Trump’s life, which features Sebastian Stan as the property tycoon, he joked that it’s unlikely the president had watched it.

“It’s a 15 and it’s not on Nickelodeon,” David said, prompting laughter from the crowd. “Donald Trump… I’m worried. I’ve said his name three times. It’s like Beetlejuice – I’ve summoned him.” He moved on: “Talking of villains…We’ve got many this year, not just Nosferatu.”

Surprise stars

Kylie Jenner made a surprise appearance ( 
Image:
BAFTA via Getty Images)
The BAFTAs saw stars across the entertainment industry head to Royal Festival Hall in London. However there were a few surprise appearance from unexpected celebrities. Reality TV star Kylie Jenner turned up to the event to support her actor boyfriend Timothée Chalamet.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star, who was previously in a relationship with Travis Scott, and the Wonka actor have been going strong since they went public with their romance last year. Kylie avoided the red carpet but took to her seat and looked stunning in a black mesh gown with embellished details. The influencer added silver heels as well as silver earrings and wore her dark locks in a loose bun. As she took her seat, she could be seen chatting to Monica Barbaro as Timothée came over to join them.

Incredible outfits

Kneecap walked the red carpet before the ceremony ( 
Image:
PA)West Belfast rap group Kneecap arrived in style ahead of the ceremony where their Irish-language film was nominated in six categories. The film is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the band was formed and is directed by Rich Peppiatt. It stars bandmates Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), as well as Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.Arriving on the red carpet on Sunday, JJ Ó Dochartaigh showcased his Irish pride as he donned a suit depicting the country’s tri-colour flag alongside his famous matching balaclava. JJ, Liam, and Naoise looked in high spirits as they posed for pictured on the red carpet alongside director Rich Peppiatt.

‘Embarrassing performance’

Fans slammed Take That’s performance ( 
Image:
Getty Images for BAFTA)Take That were the performers at the BAFTAs as they played their hit Greatest Day. Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow made their way through the audience and onto the stage as they performed their song. The live audience appeared thrilled with their appearance, yet viewers at home were not so much.

One fumed: “Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet sat front row at the #BAFTAs and the best we can produce is a 2008 song from Take That and it was a remix. I’m genuinely embarrassed.” Another added: “The likes of Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande watching Take That perform is sending me.” Someone else commented: “Well it was going fairly painlessly till Take That cheesed up the place…”

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton reportedly often didn’t see eye to eye during their time as duchesses together, and a new book claims Meghan thought Kate was “too eager to please”

As sisters-in-law marrying into the British Royal Family from comparably ‘ordinary’ backgrounds, one might have expected Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, to have plenty to bond over.

It would appear, however, that the two women didn’t always agree on certain things. As detailed in Prince Harry’s explosive 2023 memoir Spare, there were a few heated moments between the pair behind palace doors, including the infamous “baby brain” spat.

Now a Royal author has shed some light on what Meghan, 43, really thought about Kate, 43, revealing that she viewed the mother-of-three as “too much a goody-two-shoes girl”.

( 
Image:
Getty Images)

( 
Image:
PA)
In his new book Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, which was serialised in The Times, Tom Quinn claimed Meghan thought Kate was “just too eager to please”.

The royal writer explained: “All the royal staff I spoke to agreed that Meghan must have felt she was slightly looked down on by the courtiers.

“Some people can cope with this — Kate Middleton is perhaps the supreme example — but others try to fight back, which is what Meghan clearly did. ‘You’ve got to hand it to her,’ a former member of her staff said. ‘She really is a fighter.’”

According to Mr Quinn, Kate has managed to “negotiate difficult matters with staff and family relationships”, due to what one former Kensington Palace staff member puts down to her ability to “slowly and carefully absorbs the atmosphere of a place”.

According to writer Tom Quinn, Meghan ‘felt she was slightly looked down on by the courtiers’ ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
The former employee claimed: “She doesn’t jump in straight away and try to change everything to suit her way of thinking. She bides her time and is very intelligent and intuitive about other people, what they do and how they behave.

“She was also coached — not just by William, who wanted Kate to avoid the problems his mother had encountered, but also by the staff.”

In Spare, which detailed some of the difficulties the Sussexes had experienced as senior working royals, Prince Harry opened up about how things became tense between the sisters-in-law after Meghan remarked that Kate had “baby brain”.

This occurred when Kate forgot a minor detail while discussing rehearsal plans for Meghan and Harry’s May 2018 wedding, leading Meghan to conclude that she must have been suffering from “baby brain because of her hormones.”

Kate reportedly asked Meghan to apologise after the ‘hormones’ comment ( 
Image:
PA)Kate gave birth to her and Prince William’s youngest child, Prince Louis, on Aprill, 23, 2018, just one month before Harry and Meghan’s big day, and she apparantly wasn’t happy about her hormones being discussed.

In the days before the wedding, Meghan and Kate were at odds again over Princess Charlotte’s flower girl dress. It turned out to be too big for her and, while Kate wanted it completely remade, Meghan advised that her tailor would sort it out.

An argument ensued, and Harry claimed he had returned home to find Meghan sobbing on the floor. The following day, Kate visited with flowers and a card to apologise. Recalling this apology in the couple’s bombshell Oprah interview in March 2021, Meghan corrected the narrative that she had been the one to make Kate cry, as had previously been widely believed.

Meghan revealed: “It was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something. But she owned it, and she apologised, and she brought me flowers and a note apologising. She did what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone, to just take accountability for it.”

After Harry and Meghan returned from their Cyprus honeymoon, the two couples met up to discuss what had gone on, and Kate was apparently intent on getting an apology. In Spare, Harry recounted: “Meg said: ‘Oh yes! I remember: You couldn’t remember something, and I said it’s not a big deal, it’s baby brain. Because you’d just had a baby. It’s hormones.

“Kate’s eyes widened: ‘Yes. You talked about my hormones. We’re not close enough for you to talk about my hormones!’. Meg’s eyes got wide too. She looked genuinely confused. ‘I’m sorry I talked about your hormones. That’s just how I talk with my girlfriends’.”

It was at this point that Prince William reportedly “pointed at Meg”, telling her: “‘It’s rude, Meghan. It’s not what’s done here in Britain’.” In response, Meghan told ‘Willy’: “’Kindly take your finger out of my face’.” Harry wrote: “Was this really happening? Had it actually come to this? Shouting at each other about place cards and hormones?

“Meg said she’d never intentionally do anything to hurt Kate, and if she ever did, she asked Kate to please just let her know so it wouldn’t happen again.”

n another chapter, Harry recalled an “awkward moment” when Meghan asked if she could borrow some of Kate’s lip gloss. He remembered: “Kate, taken aback, went into her handbag and reluctantly pulled out a small tube. Meg squeezed some onto her finger and applied it to her lips. Kate grimaced.”

Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants by Tom Quinn will be published on February 18.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at [email protected]