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Prince William and Princess Kate have reportedly jetted off with their three children for a luxurious family holiday in an island paradise – and the location has a long-standing connection to the royals

Royal fans might have been disappointed that Prince William and Princess Kate didn’t make their usual appearance at the BAFTA film awards this year, but they had good reason to miss the glitzy event.

William and Kate are reported to be enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation on an island paradise, along with their three children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six—making the most of the youngsters’ half-term break from school.

The Wales family is said to have jetted off to Mustique, an idyllic and luxurious island in the Caribbean, and the island has long-held royal connections. Kate’s mum, Carole Middleton, is reported to have also joined the family of five on their getaway – shortly after the Middleton matriarch marked a landmark birthday, her 70th.

The family has visited the island paradise previously, including back in 2019 when they celebrated Prince George’s sixth birthday in the stunning, privately owned island. Mustique is a haven when it comes to privacy, affording the future King and Queen some time away from the spotlight that is usually trained upon them.

The island reportedly enforces a “strict no-fly policy” – per Hello magazine – which means that all guests on the elite island can seriously get away from it all, with no prying eyes in the vicinity as they enjoy the immaculate white sand beaches and stunning blue water.

Back in 2019, the couple was reported to have stayed in a luxury villa that sets guests back £27,000 for a week’s stay – and is owned by one of William’s friends, Andrew Dunn. Boasting an infinity pool, jacuzzi, and incredible views, the family also had Carole and Michael Middleton with them on the 2019 visit.

The royal connection with Mustique goes well beyond William and Kate’s family visits, however, with the late Princess Margaret – Queen Elizabeth’s sister – owning a villa on the tiny island, which is only three miles long. She spent decades visiting, and she called it “the only place I can relax”.

Margaret was reportedly given 10 acres of land to build her island home on by Colin Tennant, who had owned the island since 1958, and was married to one of the Princess’s close pals, Lady Anne Glenconner.

Princess Margaret’s house on Mustique ( 
Image:
Leon Schadeberg/REX/Shutterstock)
The late Queen’s sister built Les Jolies Eaux, her home on the island, and visited what Town and Country called a “hedonistic idyll” twice a year, once in the Autumn, and once in Winter. “Margaret told me Les Jolies Eaux was the only property she had ever owned in her entire life. It was hers.

“She felt inordinate love and pride that this was not from the royal family, it was not her sister’s, it was not grace and favour. She loved the fact it was her own,” the magazine reports a friend of the Princess saying.

Her friend, Tatiana Copeland, explained that despite Princess Margaret enjoying an opportunity to let her down in private, royal protocol was still adhered to by those who encountered the late Queen’s sister on the island, with English guests making sure they even curtseyed to her on the beach whilst wearing their swimming costumes, and the proper titles and styles of address still being used.

In 1999, Margaret suffered a devastating accident whilst holidaying on Mustique, burning her feet very badly in a bath, which impacted her mobility until her death in 2002. The Mirror has approached Kensington Palace for comment.

Royal correspondent Jennie Bond has had her say on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s marriage following their romantic display at the Invictus Games, which Meghan left early to get home to their children

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “very much in love and in harmony” despite rumours surrounding their relationship, an expert claims.

During their marriage, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have often been forced to navigate speculation regarding their romance. In recent months, the pair set tongues wagging over their increasingly separate public appearances while a scathing article speculated on rumours that Meghan had been approached to write a “post-divorce” book.

But speaking to the Mirror, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explained how the couple’s recent appearance at the Invictus Games in Canada showed them looking as loved-up as ever. “I have seen absolutely no evidence that they are unhappy with one another. Indeed they have always seemed very much in love and in harmony,” she said.

“We never question the marriage status of Edward and Sophie, or Anne and Tim, or indeed Charles and Camilla when they pursue their different engagements and focus on separate interests. So why do we do it with Harry and Meghan?”

Harry and Meghan have often been forced to navigate rumours regarding their romance ( 
Image:
Eric Charbonneau/Invictus Games Foundation via Getty Images)

Throughout the games the pair were the picture of happiness, with Meghan even gushing over her husband in an impromptu speech during the opening ceremony. “At the Invictus Games I saw a couple very much united in celebrating a hugely worthwhile achievement. The many stories we heard, and which Harry and Meghan listened to, proved that the Games have made a massive difference to servicemen and women injured or scarred by their military experiences,” Jennie explained.

“I saw a wife who was justifiably proud of what her husband had helped create. And I saw a husband who was hugely grateful for his partner’s support.” Meghan, who was first pictured with Prince Harry while at the 2017 games in Toronto, has supported him at every Invictus Games since.

However, with their children – Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three – at home in California, Meghan left the competition early to return to them. “Quite understandably, they felt their children shouldn’t be left without them for too long. Toddlers miss their parents, and especially their mum,” Jennie said.

So it seemed a perfectly logical compromise for Meghan to return to California, as scheduled, after several very busy and high profile days at the Games – leaving her husband to support the participants till the very end.” But despite heading home partway through the games, the Duchess of Sussex continued to show her support for her husband.

On Valentine’s Day, the mum-of-two marked the occasion by sharing a black and white snap on Instagram of herself and Harry kissing. “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,” she captioned the post.

“My love, I will eat burgers & fries and fish & chips with you forever. Thank you for you. #lovewins.”

Jennie Bond said that the couple looked “very much united in celebrating a hugely worthwhile achievement” ( 
Image:
Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025)
Following this, Jennie encouraged others to “be happy” for the loved-up couple as they continue to champion causes they’re passionate about while forging successful paths from their home in Montecito. “I’m sure they would have loved to be together on Valentine’s Day, but Meghan sent a sweet message to Harry and I bet this was reciprocated. Until, and unless, we see proof to the contrary, let’s be happy for them and their little family,” she said.

While the Invictus Games has a special place in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s hearts as it was the backdrop of their first public appearance in 2017, the pair actually began dating in 2016 after Harry came across the former Suits actress on social media.

“She was wearing a black sweater, jeans, heels. I knew nothing about clothes, but I knew she was chic. Then again, she could make anything look chic,” Harry wrote in his book Spare when discussing their first date.

“I’d seen so many photos of her from fashion shoots and TV sets, all glam and glossy, but here she was, in the flesh, no frills, no filter… and even more beautiful. Heart-attack beautiful. I was trying to process this, struggling to understand what was happening to my circulatory and nervous systems, and as a result my brain couldn’t handle any more data. Conversation, pleasantries, the Queen’s English, all became a challenge.”

After a year of dating, the pair announced their engagement in November 2017 before tying the knot in May 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

Loose Women star Charlene White has shared a passionate message to far-right supporters after riots across the country following fatal stabbings in Southport

When far-right riots broke out around the country, the scenes of hate brought back bad memories for Loose Women ’s Charlene White.

Born and raised in south-east London, Charlene grew up a couple of miles from Eltham – a stronghold of the racist far-right National Front, and the place where black teenager Stephen Lawrence was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993.

Charlene, the daughter of Jamaican parents, says the language used in the recent riots was the same language she heard frequently as a child.

She says: “I grew up knowing the rumblings of the far right and racism – I’ve certainly had racist abuse thrown in my direction. But I know my worth. Those people believe that through violence, dissent, and aggression, they can control what I do with my life. The sort of language they were using was the same language of generations ago. I choose to not let those people have control over how I feel about myself.”

Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel which is housing asylum seekers ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

The riots followed the fatal stabbings in Southport of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar on July 29. The ugly scenes across the country, hijacking the nation’s grief, were organised by the far right.

Newsreader Charlene adds: “There’s a small section of society that feels through behaving in that way, they can control what happens to those they don’t like – those they hate simply because of where they’re from. I choose to not give them power over me. I choose to still do the things that I want to do in my life.”

And she points to the contrasting scenes in Walthamstow, north-east London, where thousands turned out for a peaceful counter-protest and drowned out the extremists.

Charlene says: “The only thing that made me emotional during those entire few days was the thousands that turned up at Walthamstow. That’s the country that I’ve been raised in, and the place I call home.”

Home is something that holds deep resonance for the former I’m A Celebrity contestant, who is best known for presenting ITV News and sitting on the Loose Women panel.

It is at the heart of her first book, No Place Like Home. In it, she shares her own sense of home as a Jamaican Londoner, and interviews eight others who give their perspectives, shaped by events ranging from difficult family situations to political upheaval and war.

Nadia Sawalha, Charlene White, Judi Love and Jane Moore on Loose Women
It includes someone who went through the care system, and a family from Ukraine displaced by Russia ’s invasion. It is a timely piece of work. Charlene explains: “I don’t think any individual has the right to tell somebody else where they can call home. We have so many cultures who live here as a result of the empire. Great Britain wouldn’t be if we didn’t become the mix of cultures we are. My grandparents came here because they were asked to come to help rebuild the country.

“My hope is these people stop believing they can control where somebody else calls home. It’s a fundamental right to be able to be somewhere safe, where you can raise your family for the betterment of the country that you move to.”

For Charlene, home is South London, where she lives with partner Andy Woodfield and their children Alfie, seven, and Florence, five.

The seeds of her book began back in 2021 after working on her documentary Empire’s Child for ITV – exploring how the legacy of the British Empire has shaped her own family’s history. It left her feeling the need to explore further. She says: “There was a scene where the genealogist had taken me to a patch of land my ancestors had bought when they became freed slaves.

“I had a really weird reaction to it – my entire body just crumbled. It felt like I had this connection to this bit of land I’d never been to. It got me thinking about how I feel about home. I grew up in this Jamaican household in London, so my heart belongs in two places. There’s room for more than one place in your heart.”

Unexpectedly, the book also gave her dad Dennis a voice to tell a story he had bottled up for decades. He had been what is called a “barrel child” – youngsters left behind when parents move for work, eventually sent for when finances allow it.

Charlene says: “For my dad, that took over a decade. While he lived with his uncle in Jamaica, my grandparents had further children here. At 16, he arrived to two parents he’d not seen since he was a toddler – and these sisters he’d never met. It’s really hard for him. I learned about the impact on him emotionally, and why he’s the person he is. There are thousands who had to deal with that as children. Not all survived in the way my dad did.”

One thread that runs through Charlene’s book is the idea that safety and security as a child affect who you become as an adult. She says: “The partners you choose, the life you lead, the jobs you do, the people you have around you. If you’ve had a safe and secure childhood, it’s reflected in adulthood. I think we underestimate how important it is.”

She accepts that her children have a privileged life compared to many of those in her bulletins. And she ensures they know all about current affairs. She says: “They’re very aware of the world. We have conversations about it. We watch Newsround on CBBC every morning, and if they have questions, we talk about it.”

Unlike her own parents did, she would not discourage them from going into journalism. She says: “Coming from an immigrant household, there are specific jobs we were supposed to go into like doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant. So they were really upset when I decided to do journalism. They didn’t forgive me until I got my first job!”

No Place Like Home is out on September 5

Loose Women panelist Sunetra Sarker spoke to the Mirror recently about what it’s like being on the ITV show, including opening up about the dynamics between the cast

Panelist Sunetra Sarker has opened up about the dynamic between the cast of Loose Women and revealed why she initially turned down the chance to appear on the panel.

The actor, now 51 – known for shows like Casualty – made her first appearance as a guest on the ITV show in April 2021, when she spoke to Charlene White, Nadia Sawalha, Denise Welch and Jane Moore. She returned, but this time as a guest panelist, the following month. Sunetra has since been a regular panelist, appearing on occasion, and then anchored Loose Women for the first time just last month.

Sunetra revealed what it’s like working on the show during an interview with the Mirror this week. She spoke to us in promotion of her role as a judge at this year’s JustGiving Awards, ahead of the ceremony being held next month.

Asked about the dynamic between the panelists, who have attracted attention over the years for perceived tension and friendships among them, Sunetra told us: “If there were any contradictory panels … I think they’ve done the show for so long they’ve learnt the hard way probably and they’ve now got to the point where it’s such a smooth running ship.”

She continued: “You haven’t got time to have a spat, so to speak. Literally, you’ve got like 15 minutes to understand we’re gonna be doing a promo, and then this, and then get to make up.” She added: “I’m not a real spatty kind of person and also my radar for things like this is really bad.”

Discussing the camaraderie among them, she said: “I think once you’re inside [there’s] that security of these people all looking out for you. I mean, I barely know some of the women because I’ve not done enough shows with them, I know they would absolutely come forward and stand up for me if I was having any trouble. I just know it. Isn’t that weird?

“I feel like I’ve just got this kinda of unconditional pass of a lot of very senior female ambassadors who would speak up in a room. If somebody slagged me off, I know Judi Love would go ‘oi! I’ll tell you what Sunetra’s like’. I know full well.”

Sunetra mentioned Charlene and Kaye Adams as other examples, before adding: “I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t.” She said that even panelists that she hasn’t done “many shows with” would too, before naming Gloria Hunniford and Christine Lampard as examples.

Sunetra Sarker has been a panelist on Loose Women for three years, having joined the ITV show in 2021 ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She continued: “And I’d do the same for them. If somebody said anything about them, I’d be like ‘oi! I’ll tell you what Janet Street-Porter’s like. She’s actually a real laugh’.”

The panelist concluded: “Like I said, I’ve come in at the end of this sort of building of a big machine. I wish I knew some more of the gossip. [But] yeah, so it’s fun. It’s very … I feel very lucky to have got a pass to be part of that show.”

Sunetra also revealed that she initially turned down a spot on the panel. She recalled making her first appearance as a interviewee in 2021 and said she was invited to be a panelist afterwards. She said: “I was like ‘no, it’s not for me. I’m an actor. I’ll have to stay in my lane. Y’know I know what I can do and what I can’t do. I’m sure that’s not for me’.”

She added that the show then offered her the chance to just be a guest panelist for an episode, which she thought was a “novelty,” adding: “It’s a bit like being a competition winner.” Sunetra added that it was such a “warm panel”.

It was “so much fun,” she said, and even though there are experienced “stalwarts” on the panel, they are also “really hungry” for “new conversation”. Sunetra said: “I really felt how much they were embracing my take on things.”

Sunetra said that she expected it to be a “one off” but producers asked if she would do it again. She told us: “I was like ‘no, it was really nice but y’know this is a real fun thing to do [occasionally]’.” She went on to share that they then asked her to do just 2 or 3 episodes a month.

She said: “[I wasn’t keen but] they really wooed me into it, and the women were so friendly. They were asking me to go for a coffee after we’d finished and I kinda really got what it was about. I’d never understood it as a viewer. […] When you’re in it, it’s a really diverse bunch and you don’t know what you’re gonna talk about. […] I found it such a breath of fresh air from what my usual work is. […] I fit it in around my acting any time I can because I do really enjoy it.

“And then I got to anchor it, god knows what they were thinking. Maybe they needed some summer relief with the holidays but they were like ‘please come and anchor, give it a go’. I was like ‘you are pushing all my comfort zones again’.”

She’s worked alongside the likes of Charlene White (left), Linda Robson (centre left) and Frankie Bridge (centre right) ( 
Image:
loosewomen / Instagram)

Her co-stars also include Judi Love (centre left), Janet Street-Porter (centre right) and Denise Welch (right) ( 
Image:
loosewomen / Instagram)
Her work on the show has included having a mammogram in a segment that aired in February. Sunetra shared that losing her close friends Louise Clark and Louise Bracken-Smith, who both passed away just last year after cancer diagnoses, has changed her outlook on life. She said: “I do think it has made me say ‘yes’ to things that I would have maybe said ‘no’ to before because I didn’t feel qualified.”

Sunetra said that she thought about Louise Clark, who died aged 49 after a breast cancer diagnosis, whilst at her own mammogram. She told us: “As I walked into the clinic all these stories of how my Louise had obviously had the worst case scenario situation was flooding in my head.”

She also recalled her late pal having previously encouraged her to book an appointment, but admitted to having been unsure about it until she reached 50. “It was nowhere near as uncomfortable or painful or worrying or time consuming as I thought it would be […] As it turns out, it was good news. And I now know it’s worth doing and you have to keep doing it, because I’d rather know than not know,” she shared.

The panelist said she hoped to just inspire one person to book an appointment but had “so many people” reach out, adding: “It was a real affirmation. Again, there’s my special little shoutout to Louise going ‘guess what you did?’. I would never have said yes to something like that in another lifetime. Five or six years ago, I’d have [not done it then].”

Sunetra’s work on the show has included a special segment, broadcast earlier this year, which saw her having a mammogram for the first time ( 
Image:
Loose Women / Youtube)Sunetra spoke to us ahead of the JustGiving Awards next month. She was on the judging panel for the event, which celebrates the fundraising efforts of “unsung heroes,” beside the likes of Adele Roberts and Jake Quickenden.

She said: “In our world now, we do have so many unsung heroes.” The judge added: “I think we all do look for the happy news and often it’s only small things, but these people [have spent time and energy] that they’ve put into trying to do something really good, very selflessly.”

The actor – who is herself an ambassador for the charities Sightsavers and Savera UK – added: “It’s the hardest thing ever cause it’s like trying to pick the best out of a bunch of good.” She shared that “everybody’s stories got examined” but acknowledged that the categories each have a winner.

Sunetra said that losing her two close friends influenced how she approached her role as a judge. She told us: “I think what we were doing really was voting for what our heart responded to the most out of so many things.”

She continued: “I think it’s a really nice way of doing it because we all have our own causes. [The loss of my dear friends] was forefront in my mind, so maybe I responded better to certain y’know fundraisers that really went down that road. Everyone’s going through different things.”

And she suggested that it was a fitting partnership as she has supported fundraising efforts over the years, including a JustGiving fundraiser set up by her late pal Louise Bracken-Smith’s family. Sunetra shared that it was to raise money to support children with sporting ambitions, as her late pal had a “huge passion” for that. She said: “It’s really interesting that the JustGiving page that I was obviously donating to was [for my friend’s legacy] and then all of a sudden here we are now talking about me being involved with JustGiving.”

Loose Women star Linda Robson has addressed her ‘feud’ with Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke, as she revealed it was ‘really nice’ to work with her again

Loose Women’s Linda Robson poured water on feud claims with Pauline Quirke, her Birds of a Feather co-star, during Monday’s show. She shared how returning to the sitcom was “really nice” reminiscing about previous years working closely with Pauline and Lesley Joseph.

Linda said: “Sometimes it’s really nice to reunite. We had many, many years doing Birds of a Feather then we had a big break. Then a few years ago we reunited. It was the happiest time. We’d all been together over 25 years and it was like we’d never been apart.”

She summed up the experience in seven words: “You can reunite and it can work.”

Linda Robson addresses ‘feud’ with Birds of a Feather co-stars ( 
Image:
(Image: ITV))

Despite this positive outlook, Linda had previously mentioned that another series comeback is off the cards, reports the Express. She divulged: “No, Pauline doesn’t act anymore. Yeah. We have so much history together, me and Pauline have been best friends since we were 10 years old. Lesley I’ve known since the first series of Birds of a Feather. Pauline doesn’t like all the social events but me and Lesley love that.

“She’s not a fan of live TV either, only coming on Loose Women if I’m there too she feels safer that way.”

Linda said it was ‘really nice’ to reunite with the Birds of a Feather cast ( 
Image:
(Image: ITV))
While understanding Paulines stance, Linda admitted feeling let down by the realisation that the show would not have another run.

“We were gutted and we couldn’t imagine going on without her,” she confessed to Woman’s Own. “We were a trio how could it possibly work without any one of us? But at the same time as all that sadness, there was acceptance and understanding, too.”

ITV Loose Women star Linda Robson was adamant and also defiant that she definitely does “not want to meet anyone else” despite the encouragement from many of her co-stars to move on

Loose Women talk turned awkward as Linda Robson snapped “I don’t want to meet anyone else” during a chat about the prospect of having a holiday romance.

The Birds Of A Feather actress, 65, confirmed she had split from her husband Mark Dunford earlier this year after 34-years of marriage, stating that the pair “drifted apart” after their children fled the nest.

On Thursday’s programme, the panel which included Kaye Adams, Denise Welch, Nadia Sawalha and Linda were chatting away about people being scammed as part of a holiday romance.

Host, Kaye expressed, that it was rife at the moment with many people falling for the trickery con-artists pretending to have fallen head-over-heels.

The gang were discussing how easy it would be to be led astray if feeling lonely, when Linda blurted: “I’ve never had a holiday romance, I’ve only ever had two partners.”

Linda was not happy about the romance talk ( 
Image:
ITV)“You don’t want one though do you,” added Denise as Linda shot back: “No, I don’t want one.” Shocked by her comments, Nadia chirped in, asking her: “Not even a kiss at the bar?”

“No I kiss my grandchildren, that’ll do me,” retorted the ITV star. Her friend and former Corrie star Denise stepped in to defend her, saying: “The thing is I know you do not want a long-term partner,” but was interrupted by Linda who giggled: “You bought me a friend, didn’t you.”

Loose Women stars discuss holiday romance scammers ( 
Image:
ITV)
“I bought you a little friend and she’s never had it out of the box,” declared Denise as the audience gasped and the panel laughed.

Linda went on to discuss feeling isolated when her three children moved out of the family home as she went on to agree that she “would feel sympathetic” to people who were feeling lonely and got swept up in the idea of a romance that turned out not to be real.

Denise continued with to probe Linda on the subject but was quickly shot down when Linda fired back, snapping: “I don’t want to meet anyone,” which also put a complete end to the conversation.

Linda was adamant: “I don’t want to meet anyone else” ( 
Image:
ITV)It’s been a difficult few years for the television personality after she opened up recently on her battle with alcoholism and OCD, that left her wanting to take her own life, at one stage.

The mum-of-three who shares two children with ex-husband Mark – Louis, 32, and Bobbie, 28 – admitted that she’d been left “guilt” ridden after her family needed to help her through “the worst time” of her life as she struggled to get sober.

Linda who is now sober, confessed to OK! magazine that there was no drama between her and Mark, it was as simple as their lives were heading in different directions.

She told the publication: “We drifted apart. People do, sometimes, don’t they? We never had that much in common. I’m very sociable. Mark never enjoyed that side of things.”

Linda had nothing but nice things to say about her ex as she hailed him as a “wonderful dad” and even detailed being in a good place with regards to the split herself.

The TV personality added: “I’ve been sad about it, of course I have. But we had two lovely children together. But they’re all grown up, living their own lives now. Now, it’s me and Dolly the dog. [But] I’m in a really good place. Work is good.”

Denise Welch previously slammed a Loose Women guest who criticised Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, leading to over 100 complaints to regulator Ofcom, which she branded “utterly ridiculous”.

Former Loose Women star Carol McGiffin has revealed the reason she is “frightened” of fellow panellist Denise Welch.

Carol and Denise have appeared alongside each other during two stints on the ITV show. The pair struck up a friendship during their time on the show, even jetting off on sunny breaks together.

But Carol, who quit Loose Women last year, has revealed she is “frightened” of Denise’s “wrath” for speaking out about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

She says it has been “a long time” since she wrote or spoke about Harry and Meghan. Writing in Best she explained: “First, I don’t really care enough to have a go at them.

Denise Welch and Carol McGiffin on holiday last year. ( 
Image:
Instagram/Denise Welch)

“Second, because I’m aware talking about them gives them more relevance than they actually deserve. But lastly, I’m frightened of my friend Denise Welch whose wrath is cast upon anyone who dares criticise them.”

In May, hundreds of people complained to Ofcom after Denise passionately defended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they were criticised by former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter, 83. Denise branded the complaints “utterly pathetic” on Instagram.

Denise, defending Meghan, wrote: “I am appalled that this woman is abused and berated by the public and media on a daily basis. Not many people could mentally cope with the hate she contends with.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
“No wonder her husband took her away and despite everything they are thriving. Their reception in Nigeria has been wonderful to see.”

During the Loose Women discussion, Dickie said: “[Prince] Harry has been rubbishing the family since he walked out in 2020.” He went on to mention the memoir Spare, released last year, and various TV interviews.

Denise questioned: “Do you not think there is a reason why [he] did such a thing?” She mentioned moments in Harry’s life such as his mother Princess Diana’s death and the introduction of Queen Camilla into the family.

She concluded by saying she was “just sick to death” of the “bashing” Meghan receives. She added: “It’s a disgrace, the way she’s treated.”

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has opened up about her struggles with a painful a rite of passage that most parents go through – but very few really talk about

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has opened up about a huge life change that left her “bereft”.

Alongside the births, deaths and marriages that we all face, there are other big life changes that aren’t so often talked about.

And in a new interview, Coleen revealed how she copes with that phenomenon that every parent dreads – the empty nest.

The 59-year-old told podcaster GK Barry how she had felt “bereft” when the last of her three children grew up and moved away from home. She also revealed that she has compensated for her empty nest by filling her home with animals.

“I’ve got four dogs, six cats, some ducks, some chickens and some goats,” she confessed. She explained that she had two goats, before adding another three of which two are “tiny babies.”

Coleen lives with a veritable menagerie of pets ( 
Image:
LORNA ROACH PHOTOGRAPHY)

Coleen admitted that her menagerie has grown since her kids left home: “I think I’ve ended up getting more and more animals because my kids have all moved away.

“I never thought that Empty Nest Syndrome was a thing, because when they were little, I was counting the days …I thought ‘They’re five, now not long!’

“I was thinking that it would be great – you get your own life back – but honest to God it’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had – bereft.”

Coleen, seen here with ex-husband Ray Fensome, has ”always loved animals.’ ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Coleen explains that while some of her kids have not gone far from home, there have definitely been some lonely moments over the past few years. She continued: “Shane’s only just moved out, he’s 35, and Kira lives in an annexe within the house and Jake lives in London.

“But at one point they were all away. Kira went traveling this year for about six months, and then Shane wasn’t there and Jake lives in London …and remember you’re at that age when you’re going through the menopause – it’s literally like like nature and life are saying ‘You’re done now, you can die. There’s no need for you any more’.”

Coleen first came to fame at the age of 15, as part of a band she formed with her sisters ( 
Image:
Publicity Picture)

Coleen shares two children with her first husband Shane Richie – Shane Nolan, 35, and Jake Roche, 31. Her daughter, 23-year-old Ciara Fensome, is shared with her second husband Ray Fensome.

Coleen adds that one of her children pointed out to her that she’s filled her home with “surrogate children” in the shape of her vast collection of animals.

She stresses that animals have always been a big part of her life: “I’m just animal crazy, I always was. All I wanted to do I was to be a vet when I was growing up and then I realised that actually animals don’t like vets and I thought ‘No, I want them to love me’.”

But, she admits, there is a secret truth to the suggestion that she has filled her life with pets as her children have gone on to make lives of their own.

Coleen Nolan has revealed that the panel of Loose Women have been supporting co-star Ruth Langsford on WhatsApp since her split from Eamonn Holmes earlier this year

Coleen Nolan has opened up about the support the Loose Women team have given to Ruth Langsford since her dramatic split with Eamonn Holmes earlier this year.

After 14 years of marriage, the former This Morning presenters called time on their relationship, with reports alleging that Ruth had found messages between her husband and other women on his laptop.

Since their split became public in May, Ruth took some time away from the Loose Women panel to deal with her marital issues, but made her return to the show on July 22.

In an interview with Bella Magazine, close friend and fellow Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan revealed how the team have been supported Ruth since her divorce. She said: “The Loose Women have supported me through two divorces so we are very contrary to what most people try and say about us, that we fight.

“I’m closer to the women that I work with at the beginning of the week: Ruth, Janet Street-Porter, Brenda Edwards, Judi Love, sometimes Linda Robson, Christine Lampard.

Coleen Nolan and her Loose Women co-stars are supporting Ruth Langsford ( 
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Instagram/Coleen Nolan)

“But we’ve got a WhatsApp group for all of us and when someone needs support, that group just lights up. We’re saying: ‘Here if you need me, or, Phone me.’”

Coleen, who is now in a relationship with Michael Jones, played down her support for Ruth, saying it is only what her friend had done for her when Coleen split from previous husband, Shane Richie.

Speaking about her support for Ruth, she said: “I support her like she supported me when my marriage was not in a good place. And Ruth was really supportive. That’s what friends do.”

The show, that airs every week day between 12.30pm and 1.30pm has seen a number of panelists since it first hit tv screens on ITV 1 in 2000, but Ruth and Coleen have been mainstays of the show having appeared in some of the very first instalments of the show.

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned after learning the true value of his Rolex X Tiffany watch during a recent episode of the popular PBS show – and he’s worn it every day

A devoted watch enthusiast was left gobsmacked on Antiques Roadshow when he discovered the staggering value of his Rolex, which he had faithfully worn every day for 50 years. The guest appeared on the popular PBS programme with a cherished Rolex X Tiffany timepiece, a gift from his late uncle in 1975.

Chatting with expert Peter Planes, he shared: “He purchased it at Tiffany’s New York … right before I was going to go to college, he noticed I wasn’t wearing a watch on my wrist so he took it off his wrist and gave it to me.”

Despite the passage of time, the guest confessed: “I’ve never taken it off, I’ve worn it almost every day.”

a fact underscored by a permanent tan line on his wrist captured by the camera, highlighting his attachment to the watch. Discussing its maintenance, he mentioned a visit to a Rolex dealer about “18 months to two years ago” but was deterred by the terms of a comprehensive service.

The Rolex X Tiffany watch had been gifted to him in 1975 ( 
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(Image: PBS))

He recounted: “The person at the jewellery store told me that if I did send it into Rolex to be serviced, they would remove the face, put a new face on the watch, and then keep the old face. And I didn’t want to do that, so I took it to a different watch repair shop.”

His choice proved wise as Peter explained the importance of maintaining the watch’s original state, noting: “When Rolex generally restores a watch, they like to put new parts on them.”

The guest on the watch show was in for a staggering surprise when the value of his treasured timepiece came to light. Delving into why replacement parts are scarce, the watch expert shared: “They don’t like their old parts around because people use the parts to make counterfeit watches with them, or they can take a real dial and put it on a fake watch.”

It was during this discussion that the host dropped the bombshell about just how much the watch was worth.

While the owner confessed his uncertainty, saying: “I have no idea.”

He did recount varied valuations from Rolex stores over the years, saying: “I’ve taken it to various Rolex stores, from time to time, and I’ve heard everything from … in the early ’80s, $1,200, (£948) to people telling me well over $10,000 (£7,900).”

Peter then pointed out that had the guest opted for Rolex’s suggested full service, including replacing the faded bezel and polishing, the piece would likely be valued between $10,000 to $12,000 (£9,480). But because the watch remained entirely original, its price had soared.

“Collectors like things totally original. They want the original dial, even with the oxidation on it, even the faded bezel is very collectable,” said Peter, setting the stage for the astonishing evaluation: “Today, in the retail market, your watch is worth $50,000 (£39,500).”

To say the guest was astounded would be an understatement, as the Express, reports, he responded in disbelief: “Oh, good grief. That’s, uh… that is absolutely stunning to me. I think the highest I ever heard was $30,000 (£23,700), which I thought was crazy and outrageous, but the fact that it’s worth $50,000 is startling to me.”