Blog

TV star Myleene Klass gave an insight on ITV’s Loose Women on Friday about a ‘terrifying’ experience when her home was targeted by burglars

Loose Women star Myleene Klass has shared her “utterly terrifying” ordeal after her property was targeted by burglars while she was home alone with her baby.

The 46-year-old appeared on the latest instalment of the ITV show alongside her co-stars Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha and Jane Moore. Discussing their thoughts on actress Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark Wright’s recent house break-in, the stars went on to share horrifying experiences of their own.

Revealing that she had gone through something similar, Myleene disclosed that someone tried to break into her home while she was alone with her baby. She said: “I was sitting on the phone and I just saw a shadow go past and I didn’t even think about it, I thought it was a cat going pass the security lights.

She added: “I looked into the security camera and there was a van, so worked out that was three people trying to get in the house. I’m on my own, I’m a new mum – it was utterly terrifying.”

Myleene Klass shared her ordeal ( 
Image:
ITV)

Myleene went on to explain that the friend she was on the phone with at the time quickly called the police. But she also shared that she “raised all kinds of hell” as she attempted to scare the men off of her property.

She said: “I thought that I would be really fearful. I went mad! They must have thought who’s house have they tried to break into. I went mad and chased them off the property!”

Myleene opened up on ITV’s Loose Women ( 
Image:
ITV)
On Thursday (February 21) news outlets revealed police are currently looking into a break-in at the home of TV stars Mark and Michelle after four individuals forced their way into the couple’s Essex property.

Mark, 38, and 37-year-old Michelle, who are expecting their first child together, reported the intrusion around 6.20pm on Tuesday. Essex Police confirmed that the intruders searched the house before escaping.

Mark and Michelle had issues as their ‘dream home’ this week ( 
Image:
Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)

The couple often share updates about their “dream home” on Instagram and have a combined following of 664,000 on their social media account, WrityHome.

Following the break-in, the police issued a statement which read: “We are exploring a number of lines of inquiry including but not limited to forensic opportunities, CCTV and witness statements. Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible.”

The lowdown on Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard’s life, including his net worth, romance with TV presenter wife Christine and his latest crack at football management

Frank Lampard is one of the most celebrated figures in English football.

He is revered for his exploits with Chelsea, where he won a host of honours, including the Premier League and the Champions League. Lampard also excelled for England, scoring 29 times in 106 appearances for the Three Lions.

His transition into management has been a mixed bag, with spells at Derby County, Chelsea (twice), Everton and now Coventry City. But unlike fellow international colleagues Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, he remains in work.

Naturally, he has amassed a sizeable fortune, part of which he has spent on a lavish home, which he shares with his TV presenter wife Christine and their children. Here’s the lowdown on his fortune, life with Christine and how he’s revitalised his managerial career…

What is Frank Lampard’s net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lampard has an estimated fortune of around £75million. The website also claims he earned an annual salary of £9.6million at Everton, although this figure has never been officially verified.

According to Total Sportal, a sports-focused website, Lampard’s Everton contract was valued at £15million, including a signing bonus and various other incentives, many of which weren’t triggered as the Toffees sacked him in January 2023. He briefly returned to Chelsea at the end of the 2022/23 season for an unsuccessful but presumably well-paid spell as interim manager.

Frank and Christine will celebrate 10 years of marriage this year ( 
Image:
Adam Davy/PA Wire)

When did Frank Lampard meet Christine?

There was an element of fate about Frank and Christine getting together. They first met back in October 2009 at the Pride of Britain awards.

Christine, then Bleakley, almost didn’t make it to the awards ceremony as she had just been hosting The One Show. Speaking on Loose Women about meeting her hubby, she recalled: “I am very, very glad we met when we did, it was definitely about timing for us.”

It turned out Lampard was a fan of the BBC show she co-hosted with Adrian Chiles, although Christine wasn’t convinced at first. She once said: “Frank came over to me and said, ‘I watch you on The One Show’. I said, ‘No you don’t! Who was my guest last night?’

Frank and Christine have two children together ( 
Image:
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
“And he was able to tell me! I just laughed and we both giggled about it. Then that was it. He somehow got my number, and I had a withheld number call my phone on the way home. I picked up and it was him.

“I said ‘Wow, you’re keen!’ as a bit of a joke and we chatted. He said he enjoyed meeting me and would like to stay in touch. It was very relaxed.”

The pair got married in 2015 and have two children together, Patricia and Freddie. Patricia is named after Frank’s late mother. He also has two older children from a previous relationship with Elen Rivas, Luna and Isla.

Where does Frank Lampard live?

The Lampards share a stunning £10million mansion in London. During an episode of Loose Women, Christine provided viewers with a glimpse of her home life.

Christine occasionally shares snaps from inside the family home ( 
Image:
Instagram/christinelampard)
She revealed that she has her very own “she shed” in the garden where she goes to get some peace and quiet. She said: “It’s tiny but I walked into it the other day and thought, ‘this could be a good hiding place’ – even just a little five minutes.”

Judging by pictures posted to Instagram, the home appears to have a monochrome feel with bright white walls as part of a modern theme. The kitchen features white glossy wall-to-ceiling cabinets with numerous integrated appliances. It also boasts ample space for meal preparation and a large kitchen island.

Who does Frank Lampard manage?

Lampard has revived both Coventry and his own managerial career in the Championship. He had a tough act to follow in replacing club legend Mark Robins, who had led the Sky Blues from the fourth tier to the brink of the Premier League – losing in the 2023 play-off final – and an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United last season.

Lampard has propelled Coventry up the Championship table ( 
Image:
Richard Sellers/PA Wire)Lampard was already well versed in the second tier, having guided Derby to the play-off final in 2019. And he has put that experience to good use by lifting Coventry to within one point and one place from the play-off zone heading into the weekend.

Speaking after the midweek win over Sheffield Wednesday, Lampard said: “For the work we’ve done over these last two months and where we are trying to get to, sometimes a game just challenges you in a different way. This one did and the players dug in and we went at it at the end.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

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

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

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

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

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

‘Rushed job’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spanish slap down

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breaking silence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meghan Markle announced her rebrand as she switched American Riviera Orchard to As Ever, but she has been given a stern warning by a PR expert

Meghan Markle has been warned there is no more room for error after announcing her latest rebrand.

The Duchess of Sussex revealed she has switched out her American Riviera Orchard branding before it has even had a hard launch. Instead, she is ready to introduce the world to products under the As Ever title.

While she explained the reason was to ensure she wasn’t confining herself to only products in her neighbourhood, a PR expert has admitted the initial soft launch will be viewed as a “huge failure”. PR to the stars, Jane Owen, exclusively claimed to Mirror that the initial branding was “a complete waste of time and energy”.

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

Meghan recently announced her rebrand ( 
Image:
Meghan/Instagram)
Jane shared her bold opinion, claiming: “The brand change should have happened before anything was launched. What we saw was a brainstorming process happening in real time. If the name of the brand had been workshopped at all before it was launched the reasons for the change would have happened behind closed doors and not in full public view.

And she advised the former actress to make sure all the products from now on are “amazing”. “If the brand is amazing quality and beautiful no one will care about this early on mistake,” she said. “However there’s even more pressure for the products to be exceptional. There’s zero room for bad quality anything.”

Touching on the name change, Jane confessed she agrees with Meghan, saying it now feels more “inclusive”. “The previous name felt very old fashioned and buried in the Santa Barbara theme,” Jane went on. “Extremely preppy and a lot exclusionary.”

She admitted now she has a new name, there is “no way they can change it again,” saying: “If this doesn’t work it just doesn’t work period. No one is going to give it a third chance.”

While Meghan is yet to release an official product under either brand, her latest has also faced fresh scrutiny from a small business. Her new logo on her newly-launched website, which features Princess Lilibet, has also ruffled feathers, with it said to be shared with an independent clothing brand.

The logo features a palm tree, which is understood to be a nod to Prince Harry and Meghan’s home in California. There are also two hummingbirds, which are thought to be a favourite of the Duke of Sussex. However, the Mayoress of Poreress, a town on the Spanish island of Majorca, has claimed the branding is strikingly similar their coat of arms. Now, the mayor of the town, Xisca Mora has gone as far as saying the logo is a “complete copy”.

A small New York-based clothing firm called As Ever NYC has also waded into the row, breaking its silence on the name – which one fan joked was “royally scandalous”.

Mr Nores’ hotshot new lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona had centred his fight to get his client off his manslaughter rap on a rebuttal of prosecution claims he was Liam’s representative and had failed in his duty of care towards him

Roger Nores’ lawyer has said he is “very happy” after manslaughter charges were sensationally dropped against the US businessman over the death of his close friend Liam Payne.

Appeal court judges also left the two hotel workers accused of the same crime in the clear by reversing an earlier decision to charge them following the singer’s drink and drug-fuelled October 16 third-floor balcony plunge. The pair accused of selling the former One Direction star cocaine before his fall from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel will remain in prison after being told they still face prosecution and probable trial.

Mr Nores’ hotshot new lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona had centred his fight to get his client off his manslaughter rap on a rebuttal of prosecution claims he was Liam’s representative and had failed in his duty of care towards him.

He said overnight after news of the appeal ruling emerged: “‘We are happy to have reversed the decision by 360 degrees.

Roger Nores has said he’s ‘very happy’ after charages against the US businessman over the death of his close friend Liam Payne have been dropped ( 
Image:
Gerard Couzens)

“We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death. He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety,”

The three appeal court judges announced their ruling in a written document published eight days after a hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court in Buenos Aires.

Mr Cuneo Libarona, the brother of Argentina’s Justice Minister Mariano Cuneo Libarona, had argued in the run-up to the hearing as he attempted to overturn lower court judge Laura Bruniard’s December 27 decision to indict five men including Mr Nores: “My client is not a manager, he is not a nurse, he is not a psychologist, nor a psychiatrist, nor is he dedicated to the recovery of addicts. He is a simple friend in Argentina who helps him in his business affairs.”

Photo released by the Buenos Aires Police showing a candle and traces of white powder on a table of the hotel room where late British musician Liam Payne was staying in Buenos Aires ( 
Image:
Buenos Aires Police/AFP via Gett)
The other two men now in the clear are Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires who made a 911 call moments before Liam died, and its head of security Gilda Martin.

Grassi was one of the three men identified alongside Martin in the last harrowing photo of the former One Direction singer to emerge showing him being carried back up to his room from his hotel lobby shortly before his balcony plunge.

Like Mr Nores they would have faced between one and five years in prison if convicted as charged although they had been told they could be eligible for suspended jail sentences.

Waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz, 24, and 21-year-old suspended hotel worker Ezequiel David Pereyra, lost their attempts to overturn Judge Bruniard’s decision to charge them with supplying Liam drugs and remand them in prison.

Cheryl pictured at the funeral of Liam Payne on November 2024 ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Liam’s One Direction bandmates – including Louis Tomlinson – also paid their resepcts ( 
Image:
WireImage)
They have been warned they could face prison sentences of between four and 15 years if convicted. Prosecutors can appeal the higher court decision on Mr Nores and the two hotel workers but they have not yet indicated if they will do so.

Local reports say a number of electronic devices have yet to be opened and analysed, including Mr Nores’ iPhone and Liam Payne’s computer. Mr Nores’ alleged managerial role towards Liam, a position he had denied holding, had been key to the decision to prosecute the businessman.

Judge Bruniard in an indictment ruling at the end of December accused Mr Nores, banned from leaving Argentina following his indictment, of “failing in his duty of care, assistance and help” towards the singer.
She alleged he “abandoned him to his fate, knowing he couldn’t fend for himself, aware he suffered multiple additions to alcohol and cocaine and fully conscious of the state of intoxication, vulnerably and defenceless he was in.”

Roger Nores has maintained his innocence in several high profile interviews since Liam’s death ( 
Image:
Bloomberg via Getty Images)
It subsequently emerged the businessman had been described as Liam’s manager in an internal hotel email after he visited CasaSur Palermo Hotel and was shown a first-floor room he “liked a lot” before the singer ended up checking into the third-floor suite he plunged from after binging on drink and drugs.

The word ‘Manager’ was written along the name Roger Nores towards the end of an October 11 email and the words assistant manager against the name below Roger’s – that of Lulu Miranda who has been referred to in prior reports about the Liam Payne investigation as a pop star and a friend of Mr Nores.

She was born in Los Angeles to an Argentinian diplomat father and a Brazilian mother who has lived in Buenos Aires since she was a teenager. She was not among the five people charged.

Argentinian prosecutors referred to Liam’s friend in a lengthy statement they released on December 30 as the “victim’s representative” although they identified him only by his initials R.L.N.

Mr Nores told a TMZ documentary aired in December examining the life and death of Liam Payne that he was “in good spirits and perfectly balanced” the day he died as he refuted claims the singer was acting erratically and was intoxicated shortly before his fatal fall.

The businessman had previously protested his innocence and refuted claims he was Liam’s ‘de facto’ manager which is seen as a key aspect to the prosecution decision.

He said in a statement shortly after it emerged he was being officially investigated before being charged: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened.
“There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen. I’ve given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since. I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.”

Mr Nores also insisted in a written statement he presented to the courts that he “wasn’t Liam’s doctor, lawyer, representative or therapeutic companion” and their relationship was based solely around friendship.

In deciding to indict hotel chiefs Mr Grassi and Mr Martin, Laura Bruniard had pointed the finger at them over their decision to move Liam from the lobby to his third-floor room when he couldn’t stand on his feet because of his prior drink and drug binge. She said it “created a legally unacceptable risk to his life” which had “foreseeable” consequences.

Ezequiel Pereyra handed himself in on January 6 after making himself a fugitive the previous week following failed police attempts to locate and arrest him so he could be remanded in pre-trial custody on the orders of the investigating judge.

Paiz was arrested on January 3 so he could be remanded in prison. His lawyer Fernando Madeo had previously claimed it was “impossible” the charges against his client would stick following Liam’s hotel death.

He also insisted the 24-year-old was the victim of a “witch hunt” sparked by the authorities’ desire for culprits.
Waiter Paiz, who met Liam at a restaurant in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Puerto Madero where he had gone to eat with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and friends, has confessed to consuming drugs with the singer at the hotel where he died but refuted claims he sold him any narcotics.

Public prosecutors confirmed on December 30 Judge Bruniard had accused Pereyra of “selling Liam cocaine on October 15 at 3.25am and between 3.30pm and 4pm on October 16 so that he could consume it during his hotel stay.”

They also claimed witness statements and CCTV analysis supported the allegation Pereyra had received US dollars 100 from Liam to buy narcotics for him and the singer had sent a car to his home on another occasion to pick up more drugs.

In November TMZ published footage showing Liam stepping out of a lift at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and chatting with a man it identified as Pereyra shortly before the singer died, claiming the 31-year-old Brit had asked him for “seven grams of the same drug he had handed him earlier.”

A judge previously suggested he could allow the release of some sealed documents from Prince Harry’s US visa application – and today the Department of Homeland Security reportedly agreed to disclose them

The US legal case over whether Prince Harry’s US visa application should be made public has had a major update after the Department of Homeland Security reportedly agreed to release some of his visa documents.

Today, lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security are said to have agreed that three items can be unsealed with redactions, which will give an insight into whether Prince Harry lied about his drug use on his immigration application. However, a fourth document can be made public but should stay private, a judge said.

It comes after a judge previously suggested he could allow the release of some sealed documents from Harry’s visa application in a lengthy legal case sparked when conservative Washington DC think tank The Heritage Foundation questioned why the Duke of Sussex was allowed into the US in 2020.

The group are questioning the granting of his visa after he admitted in his book Spare taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. The think tank has argued that Harry either received special treatment from the Biden administration or had lied on his immigration forms.

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games last week ( 
Image:
AP)

Several weeks ago, Judge Carl Nichols told a hearing in Washington DC that he wanted “maximum disclosure as long as it doesn’t violate privacy.” He set a date of February 20 for the US government to state which legal documents related to the case can be disclosed. Today, lawyers for the Department of Homeland Security agreed that three items can be unsealed with redactions and a fourth document can be made public but should stay private, Daily Mail reports.

US visa applications specifically ask the individual about current and past drug use, which can have a detrimental impact on the progress of the application. Prolific drug use can lead to applications being rejected, however, immigration officers use their discretion against a range of factors.

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games last week ( 
Image:
PA)
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump publicly spoke out about the case saying he would not deport Harry. But in a brutal dig at Meghan, he added: “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”

In a previous hearing for the case in September, a judge ruled that the public did not have a strong interest in disclosure of the duke’s immigration records, but the Heritage Foundation is asking for the judgment to be changed. The organisation originally brought the lawsuit against the Department for Homeland Security (DHS) after a Freedom of Information Act request was rejected, with the think tank claiming it was of “immense public interest”

In his controversial memoir, the duke said cocaine “didn’t do anything for me”, adding: “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.” The Heritage Foundation’s lawsuit argued that US law “generally renders such a person inadmissible for entry” to the country.

The think tank also said answers on the duke’s prior drug use in his visa application should have been disclosed as they could raise questions over the US government’s integrity. In the DHS’s response to the legal claim, it said: “Much like health, financial, or employment information, a person’s immigration information is private personal information.”

The submissions previously made by lawyer John Bardo on behalf of DHS also said no “publicly available information, shows that Prince Harry was ever convicted for a drug-related offence”. Mr Bardo added that any suggestion from the Heritage Foundation of wrongdoing on behalf of the US government was “purely speculative”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly spent the last week on a sun-soaked holiday on the exclusive Caribbean island of Mustique – and one expert has given their opinion on Kate’s work schedule when she returns from the getaway

The Princess of Wales has unexpectedly had a busy diary since the Christmas break.

Kate, 43, has been gradually returning to royal duties ever since the end of her chemotherapy treatment following her shock cancer diagnosis one year ago. Her engagements have seen her join a school trip to a London gallery, lend her support to a children’s hospice and even pay a visit to a prison.

But this week, she has been noticeably taking time away from the spotlight as she, Prince William and their three children have reportedly headed off to the exclusive Caribbean island of Mustique on a sun-soaked break.

Wiliam and Kate with their three children George, Charlotte and Louis ( 
Image:
PA)
The holiday ties in with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ half-term holidays from school – and the trio are expected to return to lessons next week. So with the kids back at school will Kate jump back into her royal work?

Well according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, she believes Kate will continue to set her own pace when it comes to ramping up her schedule. She told the Mirror : “We have already seen more of her than we expected in these early months of the year, so that augurs well.

“But I think she will be determined to remain in charge of her own schedule and she will dictate how much we see her on public duty, and how quickly she gets back to full-time work. And that is absolutely her prerogative after all she has been through.”

Their Waleses’ holiday to the Caribbean has reportedly been a whole family affair with Kate’s parents Carole and Michael joining them. Jennie added: “Mustique is a very special place for them and has long been a favourite of the Middleton family. Catherine’s parents were there waiting for them, so they had the welcome advantage of a bit of extra childcare on holiday – as well as the fun of being with people they really love.

William and Kate at the BAFTAs in 2023 ( 
Image:
AP)
“They may well have stayed at a very luxurious villa owned by one of William’s friends, where they have stayed before. It’s the ultimate in luxury on this very private island. And I can only imagine how the children would love the infinity swimming pool overlooking the sea, and the sandy beaches where they can play all sorts of games and sports.

“Life in Mustique is incredibly laid-back and relaxed – exactly what the whole family needed after such a brutal year. Catherine talked about how she longed for sunshine during her treatment for cancer. So it makes perfect sense to head to an island where the sun shines all day and the sea is warm.”

The holiday did mean that William and Kate were not at the BAFTAs last week – an event they have attended many times in the past due to William’s position as president of the Academy.

It was announced in advance that neither he nor Kate would be attending the bash but Jennie explained: “William has been president of BAFTA for 15 years, but he doesn’t attend the awards ceremony every year. “And, in any case, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him and his family a week or so in the sunshine.

King Charles is set to lead the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of events, including music and entertainment, a flypast, and a parade, to honour our war heroes

The King will lead the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day at a series of events to honour our war heroes.

Charles and senior members of the royal family will pay tribute to the fallen at a special Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, as part of a special programme of commemorations. Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are expected to join the Prime Minister, and hundreds of veterans and their families at the service.

At the Cenotaph on May 8, the King will also lead the royals as they attend commemorations marking 80 years since the end of WWII in 1945. The government is due to release a series of details on events that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said will offer a moment for the nation to come together and “do that generation proud”.

King Charles will lead celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day ( 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
They include a music and entertainment concert at Horse Guards Parade and a stunning flypast of aircraft from the RAF’s historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows to pay tribute to the veterans. As part of commemorations, military and civilian services will join organisations and associations representing those who fought in the Second World War in Europe for a parade from Westminster Abbey and up to Whitehall.

The parade will pass the famous balcony where Winston Churchill appeared before the crowds on VE Day after his famous speech to mark Victory in Europe. As the parade enters Horse Guards Parade the flypast will take place.

William and Kate will join in the celebrations
A royal source said the King has been “determined to pay tribute to our war heroes” after a tumultuous year where he has returned to duties while continuing treatment for cancer. Sources suggest Buckingham Palace will also release a personal tribute from the King to those WWII heroes and generations of service personnel who have followed and many who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Thousands up and down the country will also join in street parties during the bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5. St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square will all be lit up with V-shaped beams of light each evening, recreating what happened back in 1945.

During the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020, the late Queen Elizabeth II delivered a poignant speech to the nation. Recorded in The White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the speech was broadcast at 9pm across televisio, radio and social media – the same time her father, King George VI, spoke to the country in a radio address on May 8 1945.

The late Queen Elizabeth II gave a poignant speech to the nation for the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020 ( 
Image:
BBC STUDIOS EVENTS/AFP via Getty)In it, she spoke about the families torn apart by the war and recalled her own memories of looking out from Buckingham Palace with her parents and Winston Churchill at jubilant crowds when it ended. In the address, the late Queen’s second broadcast in five weeks, following her national address about the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, she also said the “greatest tribute” to those who sacrificed their lives so we could live in peace was that “countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends”.

On the 50th anniversary VE Day in 1995, half a million packed into The Mall for what was dubbed the “biggest party in Britain since the end of the war”. The late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was at the time very much the focal point of commemorations, appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony with her daughters Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret to huge cheers from the crowds.

Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, who was then 78 years old, got up on a stage that had been set up in front of the Palace and began to sing one of her great wartime anthems, The White Cliffs of Dover. The royals all joined in, as did everyone else in The Mall. The crowds were then greeted with a flypast by historic aircraft including a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Lancaster bomber, all of which had been present at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage spoke to a packed room at CPAC, one of America’s biggest right-wing events, and caused quite the reaction when he brought up Prince Harry

Nigel Farage whipped a crowd up into booing Prince Harry at a US Donald Trump fan conference.

The Reform UK leader spoke to a packed room at CPAC, one of America’s biggest right-wing events – and complained about being silenced by the establishment.

“In my country,” he fumed, “you can’t say anything because you might get thrown in prison […] We’re getting poorer, everyone’s miserable, we’re governed by an awful left-wing government.”

And he gushed over his pal Donald Trump. “Suddenly, post-November 5th America is optimistic. It’s upbeat. It’s the beginning of a golden age in America,” he said. “And it is all because of one totally extraordinary individual.

Mr Farage gushed over his pal Donald Trump ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

He said the “establishment” had “made my life hell” when he pushed for Brexit. “But that was nothing compared to what they put Donald J Trump through.”

Closing his speech, he spoke of the cultural exchange between the UK and the US – and whipped the crowd into a loud reaction at the mention of Prince Harry. “We very often follow you. American trends we tend to follow. You occasionally follow some of our trends. I mean, you gave us woke. We gave you Prince Harry.”

As the crowd started to boo, Mr Farage encouraged them. “No, you keep him. You keep him,” he laughed.

Mr Farage went on to repeat the conspiracy theory that Britain has “two tier” policing. The idea gained traction following the riots that followed the Southport stabbings – when right-wing thugs caused chaos in the streets and tried to burn down a hotel housing asylum seekers.

“We’ve had enough of free speech being cracked down on,” Farage said. “Two-tier justice. Different groups of people being treated differently by the law.

“We’ve had enough of free speech being cracked down on,” Farage said. “Two-tier justice. Different groups of people being treated differently by the law.

Meghan Markle, 43, has reached a major milestone on Instagram just weeks after launching her personal account – and it could have financial benefits for the Duchess of Sussex

Two months on since returning to Instagram, Meghan Markle has hit a dazzling social media landmark that might spell lucrative prospects in the days to come. The Duchess of Sussex, at the age of 43, made her Instagram comeback earlier this year, spotlighting her individual business projects such as the eagerly awaited Netflix series “With Love, Meghan” and her lifestyle label “As Ever”.

Since stepping back from Royal duties with Prince Harry in 2020, Meghan had kept a low profile on the ‘gram, but her flashy debut on New Year’s Day signalled a fresh commercial chapter. In a matter of weeks, the mother-of-two amassed a whopping fan base, and now boasts over 2 million followers on her handle @meghan, where she shares candid glimpses of her life and work.

It’s not all about popularity, however; as one royal expert suggests Meghan’s Instagram antics may soon roll into financial wins too. Despite her short tenure on the platform, Meghan is already charming Instagram anew, having scooped up two million followers on her personal account, especially worth noting since its grand opening around seven weeks ago.

Meghan also posted some footage of The Invictus Games on Instagram ( 
Image:
(Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage))

Chatting with GB News, Richard Fitzwilliams commented: “Her Instagram’s got its own appeal and she could make quite a lot of money by monetising posts. The way she covered Invictus. You would expect that. It has been an enormous success so when you’ve got a success you ought to use it and, to be perfectly honest fair, she did.”

A look at Meghan’s feed reveals eight posts to date, including an endearing snap of her and Prince Harry sharing a Valentine’s Day smooch last week. Among the latest updates includes a poignant video montage celebrating cherished family memories and bidding a heartfelt farewell to her dear departed rescue beagle, Guy.

The duchess has also been utilising her account to create buzz around her forthcoming projects. Notably, the highly anticipated series “With Love, Meghan” is set to debut on Netflix on March 4, now merely a fortnight away.