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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with senior royals remains achingly fraught, but one bond has stayed strong throughout.

Harry and his cousin Eugenie – the younger daughter of Prince Andrew – have always shared a close relationship and even throughout the last few difficult years, which has seen much strife between Harry and his brother Prince William, and father King Charles, it’s stayed solid.

Eugenie has visited Harry in the US, and recently Harry and Meghan are reported to have purchased a home in Portugal – their first European home since the couple were evicted from Frogmore Cottage – where Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank also own a place.

However, recent reports have claimed that despite her strong relationship with her cousin Harry, Eugenie has begun to find the strained and icy relationship between the Sussexes and some of the other senior royals “tiresome” and has at times acted as a go-between of sorts between her uncle King Charles and Harry.

“Eugenie is in a difficult position because she’s always been close to Harry, but she is mindful of how that relationship could affect her standing with the rest of her family. She is always trying to manage a difficult balancing act, which can become quite tiresome at times,” an unnamed source explained to The Express, who also claimed that Meghan and Harry have invited Eugenie, Jack, and their two children – August, three, and Ernest, one – to spend the festive season in California with them.

The source claimed that while the invite to spend Christmas in Montecito was welcomed, it was not the only royal invitation Eugenie received this year. “Harry and Meghan have invited Eugenie and Jack to join them in California during the holidays. It’s a very difficult position for Eugenie because she has also been invited to Sandringham,” the source explained.

Every year the monarch hosts many of the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas, a tradition that has been going on for decades – and sees the House of Windsor conduct a walkabout and chat with the public on their way to the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

This isn’t the first time that Eugenie is reported to have found herself in the middle of Harry’s icy relationship with his father and brother, with a source expressing similar sentiments to back in October.

Royal expert Jennie Bond – the BBC’s royal correspondent for 14 years – said to OK! that she believed Charles was likely “grateful” to be able to get updates on his youngest son from Eugenie. ” Eugenie undoubtedly does have something of a challenge on her hands to maintain good relationships with both Harry and Meghan—and the rest of the royal family,” the expert said. “But I think the king is probably happy that Harry still has at least one royal cousin he clearly trusts, and presumably wants to see more of.

“However, I think it’s a positive thing that Charles does have someone he can quietly ask about Harry‘s well-being, if he is so inclined. And Harry can presumably gauge the mood of the family via Eugenie,” Bond added. “Any reconciliation—which at this stage still seems unlikely—has to start somewhere and with someone. And that person could possibly be Eugenie.”

Prince Harry didn’t hold back in shutting down rumours about his marriage to Meghan Markle, but his remarks reveal some hidden personal struggles according to one expert.

The duke laughed as he brushed off the claims in a recent sit-down interview with the New York Times, and addressed the fact that he and Meghan have been attending work engagements solo more often recently.

He didn’t hesitate in his response, joking that claims about the couple moving house come up as often as those that they are heading for a divorce. “Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what?” Harry joked to Andrew Ross Sorkin, the columnist hosting the event.

Despite finally addressing the rumours about his marriage head on, a royal expert has claimed out the comments did reveal something of the “inner turmoil” that Harry suffers from. “[Harry] said that all the pundits must be very disappointed, and he felt sorry for them that none of these things actually happened,” royal author Hugo Vickers told The Sun.

“What else can he say? He must be roundly fed up with all the kind of speculation that’s been going on over his whole life, ever since he was a little boy, so in that respect, I sympathise with him.”

The royal author added that Meghan and Harry working separately likely does not indicate any marital woes, and instead is probably part of a larger strategy for their careers going forward, in which they both are able to play to their personal strengths.

“They’re always playing to their particular skills. They’re also always having to reinvent themselves. They’re always having to try and keep focused in the public eye,” he added.

The expert’s comments reflect many things that Harry has said over the years, about the massive amount of scrutiny his personal life has generated given his royal position. In his memoir Spare, Harry wrote extensively about how the “role” carved out for him in the public imagination brought him a lot of mental distress, especially when he was younger.

“I’d been cast in my role in the Rolling Royal Melodrama. Long before I was old enough to drink a beer (legally) it became dogma. Harry? Yeah, he’s the naughty one. Naughty became the tide I swam against, the headwind I flew against, the daily expectation I could never hope to shake,” Harry wrote in one moving passage.

“I didn’t want to be naughty […] but every sin, every misstep, every setback triggered the same tired label, and the same public condemnations, and thereby reinforced the conventional wisdom that I was innately naughty.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales both received top-tier educations, attending the UK’s finest institutions. Their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are also enjoying a privileged start at Lambrook Prep School in Berkshire.

William was schooled first at Wetherby Prep, then Ludgrove School, and ultimately Eton College from 1995-2000. Kate enjoyed her education journey through St Andrew’s School and two exclusive private schools. Though unconfirmed, expectations are that Prince George and Prince Louis will carry on to Eton at age 13. But as for Princess Charlotte, questions linger about whether she’ll attend her mother’s alma mater in Wiltshire.

The Princess of Wales was educated at Marlborough ( 
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Getty Images)
Kate first went to Downe House School in Berkshire before transferring to Marlborough College in Wiltshire, where by all accounts she blossomed and became exceedingly popular among her peers. A school friend disclosed to the Daily Mail about Kate’s early struggles, saying: “Apparently she had been bullied very badly and she certainly looked thin and pale. She had very little confidence.”

Marlborough college, which charges students £39,930 a year, is widely regarded as one of the UK’s top boarding schools, boasting state-of-the-art sports facilities and grounds. The prestigious school has produced many notable alumni, including Princess Eugenie, comedian Jack Whitehall, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter and actress Emerald Fennell, who portrayed Queen Camilla in seasons three and four of Netflix’s The Crown, reports OK!

Prince William would go and have tea with the Queen at Windsor during his school days at Eton ( 
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Getty)

The Princess also had an impressive education ( 
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PA)

If the Prince and Princess of Wales decide not to educate all their children at Marlborough, it’s possible that Prince George and Prince Louis could follow in their father’s footsteps and attend Eton College. This speculation is fuelled by the fact that Prince George was seen touring the renowned school with his parents last year.

Eton, established by King Henry VI in 1440, charges a hefty £48,501 a year and boasts royal alumni such as Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince William of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent, as well as Samuel and Arthur Chatto. Known for its incredible facilities, Eton offers everything a student could possibly want, including approximately 40 football/rugby pitches, a 2km rowing lake, 19 cricket pitches, and 50 tennis courts.

Should the two princes attend Eton and the couple wish to keep their three children close to their Windsor home, Princess Charlotte might potentially go to St Mary’s School in Ascot. This is the same school where Prince William’s cousin, Lady Louise Windsor, studied before heading off to the University of St Andrews.

The Royal Family’s Christmas celebration is always a big affair – and it seems this year, King Charles will be hosting the biggest gathering in years.

The past 12 months have been a tumultuous time for the Firm and will mark the first time the royals have come together en-masse after the King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer within days of each other.

Earlier this week, Prince William hinted at just how big the festivities are shaping up to be telling guests at a party he will be celebrating the big day with around 45 relatives. Last month, the King travelled to Sandringham, where the royals traditionally celebrate the big day, to see how his Norfolk home is being prepared for the big day.

William, Kate and their children at Sandringham last Christmas ( 
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Samir Hussein/WireImage)
A royal insider said at the time: “The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.”

However, two royals who are not expected at the big bash are the King’s estranged son Prince Harry, wife Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It was revealed earlier this month that they will not be returning to the UK for Christmas as they have not received an invite for this year’s get-together at Sandringham, according to a source close to the couple. But who is expected to be there on the big day? Here we take a look…

Prince Andrew and Fergie walk to church on Christmas Day last year ( 
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Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Of course, the two main guests will be the King, who is hosting his third Christmas at Sandringham since taking the throne, and Queen Camilla. Joining them will be the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Royal sources previously told the Mirror how the King is ‘delighted’ to have William and Kate and their three confirmed for Christmas.

Also expected are Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and their two children Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, the Earl of Wessex, who turns 17 next week. The King’s trusted lieutenant Princess Anne is expected along with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Meanwhile, the King’s embattled brother Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Fergie are expected with sources suggesting the King has underlined his commitment to having the family united, especially over the Christmas period.

The Princess of Wales has been pipped to the post by Donald Trump for a major award.

It was revealed earlier in the week that Kate has been nominated along with nine other candidates to be TIME magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year. For almost 100 years, the publication has named the person or group who it believes has had the biggest impact on the world – for good or for bad – over the last 12 months. But it was confirmed today that the president-elect who has won a second term in the White House has taken the gong.

TIME said that the princess’s name on the shortlist came after she “made international headlines this year and stirred a conversation about privacy and health for public figures.” Kate’s nomination came several years after sister-in-law Meghan was also nominated for the award in 2018, the year she married Prince Harry. However, she ultimately lost out on the award, which went to killed and imprisoned journalists dubbed “the guardians”.

The Princess of Wales had been in the running to be named 2024 Person of the Year by TIME magazine ( 
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The past 12 months have been a rollercoaster of a ride for Kate following abdominal surgery in January before cruel conspiracy theories circulated after she stepped back from the public eye. She later revealed she had been given a cancer diagnosis and started preventative chemotherapy treatment before making a very gradual return to public life, with appearances at Trooping the Colour, Wimbledon and then hosting her Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday.

Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of Christmas carol service

During the service last Friday, Kate reflected on her tumultuous year by saying she “didn’t know” what this year would bring just 12 months ago. The 42-year-old, who is making a gradual return to public events after completing her cancer treatment around four months ago, was heard on broadcast footage telling singer Paloma Faith: “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year I’ve just had.” When Faith replied “the unplanned”, Kate said: “The unplanned, exactly. But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”

It was the fourth time the princess has held her event at Westminster Abbey in celebration of the positive qualities found in many and to bring festive cheer to the capital and associated events around the country. For Kate to win the coveted award this year, she will have to beat stiff competition from nine other candidates. Others nominated were Kamala Harry, who failed in her bid to become America’s first female president, and billionaire Elon Musk.

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny who died in February, was also in the running as was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Controversial podcaster Joe Rogan was also on the shortlist as was the first female president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. Completing the shortlist was billionaire and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Princess Anne has certainly had a dramatic year – but there is one person she can always count on for quiet support.

After spending five nights in hospital in June after suffering a concussion following a horror horse accident, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence was at her side, visiting her in hospital and sweetly bringing her “a few little treats” from home. The former naval officer is often a discrete support at his wife’s side as she travels up and down the country, which often earns her the title of the hardest working role.

And it was on this day in 1992 that the couple wed, meaning they are celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary today. The couple tied the knot in a small, private ceremony at Balmoral following Anne’s divorce from Captain Mark Phillips. But despite their long marriage, Sir Tim appears to keep out of the limelight and is a non-working member of the family with no title….

Early days

Princess Anne with her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence ( 
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Getty Images)
Sir Tim was born in Camberwell, London, in March 1955, making him five years younger than his wife. He attended Durham University, where he was the editor of the famous student newspaper Palatinate and gained a degree in geography.

After graduating, he attended the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and enjoyed an illustrious naval career serving on several ships, including the Royal Yacht Britannia and rising to the rank of commander. In 1986 he was appointed an equerry to the late Queen – a personal assistant, who is usually derived from the armed forces – and it is during this time he is said to have met his future wife.

Stolen letters

The first whispers of a closeness between Sir Tim and Anne – who was still married to first husband Captain Mark Phillips at the time – came in 1989 when personal letters were stolen. A newspaper then reported on the existence of these letters but did not reveal who Anne had received them from.

Buckingham Palace later revealed they were from Sir Tim and issued a statement saying: “The stolen letters were addressed to the Princess Royal by Commander Timothy Laurence, the Queen’s Equerry. We have nothing to say about the contents of personal letters sent to Her Royal Highness by a friend which were stolen and which are the subject of a police investigation.”

Balmoral wedding

The couple on their wedding day in 1992 ( 
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Raw/Nre/REX/Shutterstock)
In 1992, once Anne’s divorce from her first husband was finalised, she was then free to marry to Sir Tim. Their wedding took place at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in a service that was attended by roughly 30 guests, including the late Queen and Prince Philip as well as Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.

Instead of a traditional wedding gown, Anne wore a high neck white midi dress with a matching jacket, carried a posy of heather and wore a sprig of flowers in her hair. The couple then settled and still live together on the Gatcombe estate in Gloucestershire close to both Peter as well as Zara and her husband Mike Tindall.

Special privilege

The working members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony earlier this year when Sir Tim was allowed to join them ( 
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Getty Images)
Despite his low-profile nature, it seems Sir Tim holds a special place in the royal family, with the late Queen seemingly fond of him. Although he didn’t receive a royal title upon marriage, he was since been made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and was also a personal aide-de-camp to the late Queen.

Last year at the time of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, he was given special permission to join the monarch on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Trooping the Colour . It had previously been announced that the Queen would only allow working royals to join her for the flypast, but made a special exception for Sir Tim, two of her grandchildren and three of her great-grandchildren.

A Palace spokesman explained the decision and said: “In addition the Cambridge and Wessex children, also expected to appear as is Sir Tim Laurence, who the Queen is happy to attend as a frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements.”

‘Invisible support’

King Charles’ council bill at Windsor Castle is set to rise by a staggering 25%, it is today reported.

The monarch’s bill will rocket by more than £800 per year if the Government approves Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s proposed plans to hugely hike its council tax.

It is understood the late Queen paid about £2,300 a year in council tax for Windsor Castle, which is in band H, the highest level, but Charles will have to cough up a further £836. It comes at a time when he intends to downsize the monarchy – and his extensive royal property portfolio.

Plans to evict Prince Andrew, 64, from the Royal Lodge, approximately three miles south of Windsor Castle and in the same local authority, derailed when the Duke of York found the necessary funds to retain his keep.And now the council’s brutal intentions will stretch the Royal Estate’s resources further, with no plans officially afoot to reduce its size. Critics say the Lib Dem-led council could “ruin” household finances with its move. More than 150,000 people live across the patch in Berkshire.

Prince Andrew will stay at the Royal Lodge after finding the money to pay ( 
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The local authority, though, is on a financial knife edge as it has admitted to facing “effective bankruptcy”, while warning residents that its draft budget for the 2025-26 financial year includes a “significant increase to council tax bills”.

It has been criticised after asking the government to approve an “exceptional” £60.3 million loan, alongside being able to raise council tax by an additional 20 per cent above the current limit of 4.99 per cent set by the government. If given the green light, this would mean an annual rise of up to £320 for an average band D property the equivalent of £6.15 a week, it said. Windsor residents currently pay about £1,700 a year in council tax for a band-D property.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, John O’Connell, the chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, urged ministers to reject the authority’s request, to “send a message to other councils” that also plan huge tax payments.

Windsor Castle is in the centre of the pictureque Berkshire town ( 
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BerkshireLive – Grahame Larter)
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead told The Times the “significant increase to council tax bills” was needed to “enable the council to set a balanced budget and deliver the services residents need to undo years of cuts and underfunding; the council is on the brink of effective bankruptcy”.

MasterChef: The Professionals winner Dan Merriman had nothing but praise for Gregg Wallace as he shared his experience on the show.

Throughout the tight competition, Dan wowed the judges Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and controversial star Gregg Wallace. He also impressed restaurant critics and some of the country’s leading chefs – delivering outstanding, innovative food and skilful cookery for them to taste.

Reacting to his win, Dan said recently: “To walk away as MasterChef Champion, it means the world to me. There’s not been that many times where I’ve been proud of myself in my life, but I’ve hit the pinnacle! This whole competition has changed my life. I’m forever grateful.”

And now, he also opened up about his experience with Gregg – who has been under fire over accusations over his behaviour. Gregg was placed under investigation last month due to historic complaints that he’d made “sexual comments” on set of MasterChef, with Newsnight host Kirsty Wark among several people who have accused the MasterChef presenter of making inappropriate sexual comments or jokes.

MasterChef Professionals winner breaks silence on experience with Gregg Wallace

The BBC host stepped away from MasterChef a couple of weeks ago amid the investigation but responded to the accusations with a series of posts on Instagram. In his posts, Gregg vehemently denied having taken part in any wrongdoing. Speaking about his experience with Gregg, Dan said his “experience with Gregg was great”.

Dan Merriman had nothing but praise for Gregg Wallace
The MasterChef: The Professionals winner praised Gregg and told The Times: “He’s a happy-go-lucky kind of bloke, very encouraging and very supportive. He gave me some great comments and feedback.” Dan also doesn’t think the scandal surrounding Wallace has lessened the show’s standing.

“At the end of the day, the programme is all about the contestants. We’ve had a lot of support from the public, from social media, and I don’t feel like it’s been overshadowed. Nor should it be. It shouldn’t take away from the achievements of any one of the 32 chefs who took part,” he said to the publication.

He said Gregg Wallace was ‘very supportive’ ( 
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BBC /Shine TV)
Meanwhile, BBC bosses have previously said the corporation will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”. A memo sent to staff by the BBC director-general, Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation.

Wallace also apologised for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”, adding he will “take some time out”. Lawyers for Wallace have previously strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.

The Christmas specials of MasterChef have been pulled from the BBC ’s schedules after allegations surfaced about Gregg.

It’s no secret that Prince William and Prince Harry’s relationship has been pretty icy for some time now, but Queen Camilla’s son has shed fresh light on their troubles.

The brothers were once so close that they seemed to the public totally inseparable – and the challenges both went through together in their young life with the loss of their mother Princess Diana meant that the brothers shared a complete understanding of what growing up in the royal spotlight really meant.

And in a new interview, William and Harry’s stepbrother – Tom Parker Bowles, 49 – opened up about his impressions of the challenges they have faced. Queen Camilla’s told The Telegraph that even though his own experiences with this kind of public scrutiny were far less intense than what William and Harry had dealt with, it gave him a sense of the difficulties they endured, particularly as they were growing up.

Tom – a broadcaster and food writer – is the eldest child of Queen Camilla and her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, and saw firsthand the intense public attention that his mother received due to her romantic connection to King Charles during the monarch’s first marriage to Diana.

In his younger years, he got a taste of the constant scrutiny that his stepbrothers William and Harry have been under their entire lives, and called what the brothers have been put through “appalling”.

“I remember being chased at 100mph by paps trying to get a shot. My mother being screamed at to try to get a reaction. Pushing, jostling. It was horrific, and you are protective of your mother. Counting how many paps were at the gates, to see who was watching us and taking photographs: it was all as normal as bacon and eggs in the morning. You didn’t think of it in any other way … [But] it was barbaric.”

While Tom showed some hesitance to speak about his stepbrothers, he could not help but express sympathy for how much worse they have had it. “I learned a long time ago not to put my fat fingers into the world of William and Harry,” the food writer said. “But it was appalling what they went through. I’ve had a billionth of what they’ve had to go through but hell, I sympathise.”

Camilla and Charles were romantically on and off for decades, but it was only in 2005 upon their marriage that William and Harry gained two step-siblings, Tom and Laura, 46

Late pop star Liam Payne allegedly contacted hotel staff “constantly,” requesting alcohol and inquiring about where to obtain cocaine shortly before his death, according to reports.

Now, text messages alleged to be from Payne to an escort have surfaced, in which he allegedly offered her $5,000 (£3,900) to “party.” Argentine journalist Mauro Szeta shared messages on his website VíaSzeta, which appear to show a southeastern Florida phone number sending WhatsApp texts to an escort.

These messages reportedly included a link to Payne’s Instagram profile and an invitation to “play.” The text, that was reportedly from Liam, read: “’I have all day… I’d gift you $5,000… US dollars,’ the message reads. ‘You come to my hotel, we party, just me and u.”

The woman’s WhatsApp profile picture reportedly featured her and a friend, to which he is said to have replied: “Who’s your friend, do you want to bring her?” The escort replied: “Let’s go Noe (sic) until 7pm, 5000 USD both, it’s the whole day the two of us together.” The individual sending the messages, allegedly Payne, responded: “Ok fine, but bank transfer.”

Newly uncovered messages and staff testimonies shed light on Liam Payne’s final hours ( 
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Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)

Women with Liam during his final hours have spoken out ( 
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Supplied)

Another incident at the hotel was also reported. According to a senior employee, Liam frequently called receptionists to request alcohol and inquire about where to purchase cocaine. A bellboy who took him a courtesy platter of fruit shortly after he checked into the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires also told bosses the artist had insulted him after asking him whether he could get him cocaine and receiving a ‘no’ for an answer.

Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist who made a 999 call requesting urgent medical assistance for Liam before his drink and drug-fuelled balcony plunge and is now under formal investigation along with four other suspects in an ongoing court probe, made the stunning claims.

Respected Argentinian news portal Todo Noticias published WhatsApp messages it said Grassi, one of the three men pictured carrying Liam back up to his third-floor room from the hotel lobby shortly before he died, had handed in to court investigators. One of the text exchanges, from a person registered in Esteban’s phone as Santiago Benitez Bellboy AM, said: “Hello Esteban how are you? Sorry for bothering you but I wanted to let you know about a little situation I had with the person in room 310. When I went to hand him a guest amenity and welcome him to the hotel and Argentina, he invited me into his room (which was a complete mess) and asked me if I could get him cocaine.

“I told him, ‘I’m sorry sir, but neither I or any other staff can help you with that type of service’ to which he replied that I was useless and told me to get out of his sight. I felt a bit threatened because he didn’t behave very politely.” Appearing to reference another hotel worker identified locally as one of the five men under investigation, head of security Gilda Martin, the message from the bellboy continued: “I’m going to tell Gilda this too so you’re both aware and there’s no misunderstandings in case this man mentions my name again at some point in his stay, because he asked me what my name was. I’m just telling you and Gilda this.”

The exchange ended with Mr Grassi trying to reassure the junior hotel worker by telling him “not to worry” about what Liam had said. Mr Grassi also told investigators of Liam’s stay at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in the Argentinian capital, according to Todo Noticias: “I understand he was more active at night, that he ran reception repeatedly to ask for alcohol all the time and ask where he could get drugs, specifically cocaine.” He went on to claim he acted as a translator for the two female escorts Liam spent time with before he died because they didn’t speak English and the singer didn’t speak Spanish.

Confirming earlier claims that the former One Direction singer asked for 300 dollars and alcohol when they went up to his room, Mr Grassi said: “Liam asked me to act as translator. “That’s when they tell me he had to pay them but they didn’t specify why. They told me he owed them 5,000 dollars but it seemed strange to me because he had asked me previously for 300 dollars and although I’m not an expert about these things, the amount of money they were asking for seemed a bit excessive to me.”

Screenshots of WhatsApp messages exchanged with one of the women said to have come from Liam’s phone, an American mobile phone number with the 561 southern Florida area code, were also published by Todo Noticias which said the sex worker had showed Mr Grassi the conversation to prove he owed them the money.

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