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

A Royal source has claimed that the King’s ordeal with cancer has had a profound impact on Kensington Palace, hastening preparations for Prince William’s ascent to the throne.

Despite King Charles being in good spirits at 76 following his treatment and recovery process, it seems Kate Middleton is grappling with the prospect of becoming Queen sooner than anticipated, dealing with her own cancer struggle in the past year as well.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People magazine: “Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment. As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected.”

One palace insider remarked: “There’s a sense of calm before the storm. They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives, and of course, Kate’s health has taken priority, but it’s also allowed everyone to take a step back and figure out what’s important right now.”

 

A YSL beauty icon loved by Kate Middleton is on offer in the Debenhams sale ( 
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Getty Images)

Meanwhile, according to US magazine reports, behind the scenes plans are quietly advancing for the duo’s eventual succession, clarifying that both William and Kate are “increasingly aware” of the impending responsibilities. Notably, William deputised for Charles at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening ceremony in Paris on December 7, engaging in a lengthy conversation with then US President-elect Donald Trump.

In his usual straightforward manner, Mr Trump later shared: “I asked him about his wife, and he said she’s doing well. And I asked him about his father, and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father, and he loves his wife, so it was sad.”

Royal insiders maintain that succession plans are always ready. “It is something the institution is always mindful of,” a source revealed to People, describing the situation as one of “institutional awareness”.

Friends have stated that Kate and William will not alter their priorities, with their children George, Charlotte and Louis always being their main focus. “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities,” one friend noted.

“She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

However, it seems evident that there has been a shift in thinking about what the future may entail, according to the Scottish Daily Express. Royal author Robert Hardman commented: “We are being encouraged not to look at this as a chapter that’s over and then it’s back to normal, because cancer doesn’t work like that. The details remain private, but there’s no sense of trying to gloss over the reality that it’s an unpredictable disease.”

 

A magazine once favoured by Meghan Markle has seemingly turned against the Duchess of Sussex with a very scathing review.

The harsh article in The Cut was titled ‘Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping’.

Pop culture news and entertainment writer Danielle Cohen commented on the couple’s “tortured attempts to launch a successful Stateside endeavour” which she wrote “continued this week” with the release of Polo on Netflix. The five-part series about Prince Harry’s favourite sport has been met with poor reviews, leading Cohen to predict: “Seems like this one is bound for the same fate as Markle’s beleaguered jam company.”

This critique comes shortly after The Cut highlighted the struggles faced by Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard “lifestyle brand”, which launched by gifting jars of strawberry jam to celebrities such as Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen.

This was followed by allegations that employees were leaving the new company, coupled with a trademark dispute from US food and gift company Harry and David, which sells Royal Riviera Pears. Olivia Craighead, who reports on pop culture and celebrity, wrote: “For Markle’s sake, I hope the next big story about ARO has the headline ‘Meghan Markle finally launches jam, ‘The best I’ve ever had,’ says King Charles.’ Maybe we’ll get a Christmas miracle.”

The CUT magazine cover featuring Meghan Markle ( 
Image:
Campbell Addy / The Cut)
The negative coverage is significant given that The Cut, part of liberal New York Magazine, famously published a cover interview with the 43-year-old Duchess in August 2022, where she made derogatory comments about other members of the Royal family, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

Long before Meghan Markle fell in love with Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex we know today, one former ESPN host has revealed he had hoped to find romance with the star, but things didn’t quite go to plan. Former ESPN host Ryen Russillo once slid into Meghan’s DM’s after running into each other while playing a game of celebrity flag football, but despite his high hopes, Russillo, now 49, revealed that Meghan wasn’t nearly as thrilled about the prospect during Super Bowl weekend 2014, reports UsWeekly.

Recalling their meeting on The Bill Simmons podcast, Ryen revealed: “We played in a celebrity flag football game together and it was all of the [ Sports Illustrated ] swimsuit models. So, nobody was really paying any attention to Markle.”

Sports host Ryen Russillo was snubbed by Meghan back in 2014

The game featured a host of former NFL stars and famous faces including The Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev, Black Panther star Michael B Jordan, and Sports Illustrated models like Chrissy Teigen, Nina Agdal and Hannah Davis, meaning Meghan was in some impressive company for the fun-filled match.

“I was like, ‘That’s my lane. She’s probably doubting herself a little bit right now,’” Russillo remembered. “She’s never been more obtainable.”

The game took place just before Suits season 4 premiered, and was around two years before Meghan first started dating her future husband Prince Harry. Following the conclusion of the game however, Russillo decided to shoot his shot and send the future-Duchess a cheeky DM.

“It was a very soft sell,” Russillo explained. “It was, ‘Hey, I know the new season of Suits is coming out if you ever want to come on the show to promote it.’ It was really professional.”

Meghan Markle and Nina Dobrev participate in DIRECTV’s 8th Annual Celebrity Beach Bowl
Despite the professional sell however, he did admit he had an ulterior motive at play adding: “It was like a gauging of interest,” he said. “Like, if I got an emoji back, who knows?”

Not long after sending the DM, Meghan did respond to the invitation, but it wasn’t quite the warm reception Russillo might have hoped for. “It was ice cold,” Russillo recalled. DM. “It was, ‘Oh, I don’t know anything about sports, but thanks for the offer.’”

Ultimately, Russillo said: “It didn’t work out.”

As the festive season approaches, speculation is growing about who will join King Charles and Queen Camilla for this year’s Royal Family Christmas celebrations.

The royal family traditionally gathers for the holidays at Sandringham, the family’s estate in Norfolk, and it is expected that many members of the family will attend.

While the guest list has yet to be officially confirmed, several key members are anticipated to make the trip. These include Prince William and Kate Middleton,

who are likely to attend with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Their attendance would be in line with previous years, as the family has often been part of the Christmas festivities at Sandringham.

In addition to the Prince and Princess of Wales, other senior members of the royal family, such as Princess Anne and her family, are also expected to be present.

Princess Anne has long been a regular at the Sandringham Christmas celebrations, and her presence is a sign of the close-knit nature of the family during the holiday season.

Similarly, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are likely to join the King and Queen for the traditional Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, which has become a hallmark of the royal Christmas tradition.

However, there are several members of the family whose attendance is less certain. Given the ongoing tensions between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the rest of the royal family, it remains unclear whether the couple will join King Charles and Queen Camilla this year. The Sussexes have spent recent holidays in the United States, and although they have been invited in the past, their relationship with the family has been strained in recent years, particularly after the publication of Harry’s memoir and the release of their Netflix documentary. As a result, many are speculating that Harry and Meghan may opt to spend the holiday away from Sandringham once again.

One of the most intriguing questions surrounding the royal Christmas is whether any of the younger members of the royal family, such as Zara Tindall or Mike Tindall, will also be part of the festivities. Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne, has often been seen at Sandringham during the holidays, and her children are expected to take part in the fun. Mike Tindall, Zara’s husband, is also a beloved figure within the family, and his presence is always anticipated during royal events. While their exact involvement in the Christmas celebrations remains to be seen, it is expected that their family will be part of the gathering in some capacity.

While the guest list is still largely unknown, King Charles and Queen Camilla will likely enjoy the company of their closest family members during what is expected to be a more subdued Christmas celebration. The royal family has been adjusting to life without Queen Elizabeth II, and this year’s Christmas may be marked by a quieter, more intimate atmosphere as they reflect on her legacy and continue to adjust to the new reign. Regardless of who attends, the Royal Family’s Christmas celebration at Sandringham is expected to be a significant moment in the royal calendar, with many eyes watching to see how the family comes together during the holiday season.

Viewers of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Coming Out were left incensed by a tense confrontation between radio DJs Melvin Odoom and Dean McCullough

As viewers got their final I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here fix for this year’s series, they were left fuming over a tense clash.

As the campmates reconnected outside of jungle life, radio presenters Melvin Odoom and Dean McCullough’s reunion was a bit of a frosty one. Dean took Melvin to one side, and squared up to him for ‘upsetting’ him with the infamous ‘Houdini’ nickname on the show.

Fans online let their feelings be known. One furious Twitter /X user ranted: “Dean’s still pulling the “feel sorry for me card” even out of the jungle! Melvin called him Houdini… it was clearly a joke! He really needs to get a grip, #ImACeleb #imacelebrity”

Another added: “Nah im soo sick of dean how are you speaking to melvin like that…. fair enough if there’s no bad blood now but come on if you’re not pulling your weight somethings gonna get said lol #ImACeleb.” A third added a gif of Judge Judge rolling her eyes and commented: “Dean still not taking responsibility. Melvin should not have to ask him. The back lash is because he was a lazy ****** #ImACeleb”

Melvin and Dean discussed the Houdini nickname ( 
Image:
ITV1)

The comments came after Melvin was seen trying to give his reasons for the jibe. As he did, Dean’s stoney look showed the star was less than impressed. Melvin and Dean were teamed up to collect water for the camp during their time on the ITV show, but Dean had plenty of complaints about the task. “It’s an awful job and I hate it and I don’t want to do it anymore… Guys I can’t. It’s not for me,” he moaned.

While Dean didn’t appear to be too upset by the jibes at the time, he confronted Melvin in the reunion show. After seeing their families, the duo bumped into each other. Dean said to his Radio 1 colleague: “I love how the whole Houdini popped off, the memes were brilliant.”

Melvin replied: “I don’t think people realised why that happened, I was busy doing the water thing, I just wanted you to help so I was thinking I’m just gonna drop this line with half the camp there, make everyone laugh.” But things turned as Dean said: “I wish you had told me, that upset me.” Melvin replied: “If I’m trying to give someone a message, I always use humour, that’s my number one way of communicating with people, that’s essentially my weapon, and that’s all that was.”

Melvin nicknamed Dean Houdini ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)“I saw Bush Telegraphs of you saying, ‘Oh, it’s another chore to ask Dean to do the chores,’” Dean insisted, with Melvin explained: “Me calling you Houdini was my way of telling you I need help, when we said, ‘Let’s do the water’, I came up the steps and you were having a shower, when I came down you were folding your clothes by the bed, by the time I said, ‘Houdini’ that was me saying, ‘I need help’.”

Dean bluntly admitted he felt it would have been better for Melvin to “take him to the side,” with Melvin reiterating that it was no big deal. Dean again hinted however that the moment had upset him.

This Morning’s Christmas party kicks off at James Blunt’s posh pub – but one star is notably absent

The ITV show’s team gathered at James Blunt-owned gastropub The Fox and Pheasant for a cosy celebration in a secluded part of west London – but one star was clearly missing

This Morning’s Christmas party kicked off on Monday

Boozy, raucous festive songs were not on the menu for This Morning’s Christmas party as it quietly kicked off in a posh Chelsea pub on Monday evening.

The ITV show’s team gathered at James Blunt-owned gastropub The Fox and Pheasant for a cosy celebration in a secluded part of west London. There appeared to be an air of sombreness as the evening also marked editor Martin Frizell’s final Christmas with the team before his departure.

Among those pictured trudging to the venue for the three-course festive treat of smoked salmon, turkey and Christmas pudding were hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley. The pair – who were announced as Holly and Phil’s official replacements in February – made their way separately to the pub as they wrapped up warm in wool coats.

Ben, 49, appeared tired as he donned a pair of rectangular glasses and white jeans. While Cat, 48, appeared relaxed in a pair of baggy denim jeans and silk scoop-neck top as she cradled a black bag in the crook of her arm.

Cat Deeley attended the This Morning Christmas party ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Ben Shephard appeared tired as he made his way to the bash ( 
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Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Alison Hammond, 49, also made sure to wrap up warm in an ankle-length puffer jacket and appeared to be in good spirits as she hugged her co-star on the way inside. Her Friday co-star Dermot O’Leary, 51, made his way to the bash alongside regular show guest Ashley James, who glittered in a purple sequined gown.

Josie Gibson, 39, appeared to have enjoyed a spot of shopping before the party as she swung a Selfridges bag by her side. Her busy schedule was clear to see as she dragged a suitcase along the pavement on the way to the do.

Dermot O’Leary pictured with Ashley James ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

This Morning editor Martin Frizell will be leaving the ITV show ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
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Also in attendance were Vanessa Feltz, Alice Beer and Phil Vickery, but there was one glaring absence – Gino D’Acampo.At the weekend, the Italian chef was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman over five years. The unnamed woman lodged a complaint with ITV bosses last week. She reportedly worked with D’Acampo between 2006 and 2011.

 

Alison Hammond appeared to be in good spirits ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

The This Morning team gathered at James Blunt’s pub ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

It is understood the woman decided to speak out amid a raft of allegations against the BBC’s MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace came to light. It comes after reports that Gino, 48, is being slowly sidelined by ITV amid a string of claims about inappropriate behaviour.He has been edged out of Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip after refusing to sign a morality contract clause. Gino has also been put on a language and behavioural course by concerned executives.

 

Josie Gibson appeared as busy as ever ( 
Image:
Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Phil Vickery also attended the party ( 
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Axel/CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
A source close to the latest complainant said: “She worked [with Gino] for five years. She has come forward after being spurred on by the Gregg Wallace scandal and the comment he made about his accusers being middle-class women of a certain age,” a source told The Sun newspaper

An ITV source said: “We can’t really comment on anything specific as we have duty of care to any complainant that comes forward”. The Mirror has contacted D’Acampo’s people for comment.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s new Netflix show has made its debut – but it’s a far cry from the usual fanfare that follows Sussex projects

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest Netflix polo project has made a low-key debut, a departure from the usual high-profile launches associated with the Sussexes. The series surfaced without the expected promotional fanfare typically linked to their content.

Neither Meghan nor Harry participated in interviews to promote the show, choosing instead to step back from joint media appearances and attend events individually. Hollywood commentator Sean McNulty found the lack of a strong promotional drive for the Duke and Duchess’s series rather odd.

Speaking to The Daily Beast, he said: “The lack of a proper, visible press campaign for a series from Harry and Meghan raises an eyebrow to say the least.”

As Netflix appears to be directing its efforts towards other major content like Carry-On and stars Jamie Foxx and Sabrina Carpenter this week, McNulty suggested that the polo series “could very well disappear into the Netflix ether quite quickly”. Even the couple’s friends have been unusually quiet.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been ‘raising eyebrows’ recently. ( 
Image:
Getty)

Nacho Figueras, a close friend linked with both the sport of polo and the couple’s new series, only posted a handful of tweets and a single Instagram story about it. A branding specialist warned that the lukewarm critical response to Harry and Meghan’s Netflix project could potentially affect their contract with the streaming giant, reports the Express.

Brand expert Nick Ede expressed his worries to MailOnline about the tepid response to Meghan and Harry’s latest documentary venture. He remarked: “The new polo documentary hasn’t received good reviews, and this is another foray into producing from Meghan and Harry.”

Ede underscored the importance of the documentary’s ranking in Netflix’s top ten, suggesting it could mirror the initial success of the Invictus documentary due to the public’s curiosity with the couple and the sport of polo.

He continued: “It could, like the Invictus documentary, start well due to the public’s fascination with the pair and with polo potentially.”

Meghan Markle’s ARO lifestyle brand has been mocked by critics and the Duchess of Sussex’s favourite magazine, The Cut, has now turned on her too with a brutal review of her Netflix show Polo

A magazine once favoured by Meghan Markle has seemingly turned against the Duchess of Sussex with a very scathing review.

The harsh article in The Cut was titled ‘Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping’.

Pop culture news and entertainment writer Danielle Cohen commented on the couple’s “tortured attempts to launch a successful Stateside endeavour” which she wrote “continued this week” with the release of Polo on Netflix. The five-part series about Prince Harry’s favourite sport has been met with poor reviews, leading Cohen to predict: “Seems like this one is bound for the same fate as Markle’s beleaguered jam company.”

This critique comes shortly after The Cut highlighted the struggles faced by Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard “lifestyle brand”, which launched by gifting jars of strawberry jam to celebrities such as Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen.

This was followed by allegations that employees were leaving the new company, coupled with a trademark dispute from US food and gift company Harry and David, which sells Royal Riviera Pears. Olivia Craighead, who reports on pop culture and celebrity, wrote: “For Markle’s sake, I hope the next big story about ARO has the headline ‘Meghan Markle finally launches jam, ‘The best I’ve ever had,’ says King Charles.’ Maybe we’ll get a Christmas miracle.”

The CUT magazine cover featuring Meghan Markle ( 
Image:
Campbell Addy / The Cut)
The negative coverage is significant given that The Cut, part of liberal New York Magazine, famously published a cover interview with the 43-year-old Duchess in August 2022, where she made derogatory comments about other members of the Royal family, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

Meghan Markle has openly expressed that she and Prince Harry were “happy” to leave the UK, disrupting the Royal hierarchy “upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy… just by existing”. In his conversation with the magazine, Harry hinted at the challenges within the family, saying some relatives “aren’t able to work and live together”.

The feature, titled ‘Meghan Markle on Her New Life in California’, showcased a series of photographs by Campbell Addy. Meghan later confessed to being “too trusting” and “too open” during her interview with The Cut, seemingly criticising the publication and interviewer Allison P Davis. The magazine also caused controversy by labelling King Charles as a “big, fussy baby and a jerk” regarding his conduct at his mother’s funeral and accused him of “mundane cruelty” towards Princess Diana.

Notably, following the Queen’s passing, The Cut published an incendiary piece headlined: ‘I Won’t Cry Over the Death of a Violent Oppressor.”

It has been reported that Prince Harry’s controversial memoir Spare has been awarded a less-than impressive title for the second year in a row after its release last year

Prince Harry has suffered a fresh blow before Christmas after it has emerged his memoir has been handed a less than impressive title for the second-year running.

The bombshell book, called Spare, was released in early 2023 and broke records as the fastest-selling tome of all time, containing explosive, private claims about the Royal Family. But for the second year in a row, it has been named as the most-traded in autobiography of 2024 – after also getting the unfortunate accolade last year.

It comes after We Buy Books, a website that buys unwanted second-hand books, said that Spare was its most traded in memoir for a second-year in a row, with even more readers traditing it in this year, compared to last.

Prince Harry’s memoir Spare ( 
Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the site said: “For the second year running, Prince Harry’s Spare is the most traded-in biography of 2024. This year, we purchased a total of 567 copies.” At the time of writing, if you are to trade in Spare, the website offers £3.77 for it. The same book is currently available to buy in Waterstones for £8.99.

Spare was first released in January 2023, sending shockwaves around the world. The Duke of Sussex used the tell-all book to make various claims about his family including that Prince William called his wife Meghan Markle ‘difficult’, ‘rude’ and ‘abrasive’ and pushed him into a dog bowl, that King Charles was jealous of the Prince and Princess of Wales and that Charles refused to allow Meghan to join her husband in Scotland as the late Queen was dying.

In October, a new paperback version of the book was released but tellingly it did not contain any new information or updated chapters, which is usual practice. Many had previously questioned whether Harry would offer up more bombshells in an updated version of Spare given so much has happened since the book was published in early 2023.

Since then both Charles and Kate have received cancer diagnoses, while Harry’s children Archie and Lilibet have both been given prince and princess titles. The paperback version wasreleased on October 22 in the United States and October 24 in the UK.

But since the release of Spare, things seem to have gone from bad to worse for relations between Harry and his father and older brother. When it comes to Harry and William, their feud, brewing before the book was released, has become even more frosty. It is understood the brothers last spoke at their grandmother the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022.

In addition, Harry raised eyebrows by not doing any promotion for the paperback version of the book, despite a big publicity tour when it was first released.