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Princess Anne is known for her sporty sense of style and love for keeping things practical.

Her Adidas sunglasses are one accessory the princess has worn plenty of times – most recently at the Olympics in Paris.

The frameless racing design incorporates red polarised lenses and the Team GB logo.

Her daughter, Zara, was originally given a pair as part of her kit when she represented her country as an equestrian at the London 2012 Olympics.

Anne was pictured wearing the same design at the event and has since re-worn them on several occasions – including at the Cheltenham Festival in 2015. 

Prince Harry and Prince William are also fans of sporty shades, as is Prince Albert of Monaco and his son Jacques.  

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Princess Anne wearing Adidas Team GB shades as she sits with her father Prince Philip to watch her daughter Zara compete at the 2012 London Olympics

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The Princess wore the same sunglasses for the Cheltenham Festival in 2015. She paired the sporty shades with a camel coat and feathered hat

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Princess Anne wearing the Team GB shades during the medal ceremony for the Eventing Team final at this year’s Olympics in Paris

Zara’s original shades

When Zara competed in the 2012 Olympics she was given a pair of Team GB-branded specs to wear with her kit.

The royal went on to win silver in the three-day equestrian event, riding 11-year-old High Kingdom.

She missed out on the 2004 Athens games and Beijing 2008 due to injuries but made up for her past absence when the competition came to England.

It was also the same competition that Princess Anne was first seen wearing the same shades, as well as other Olympic merchandise while she proudly watched her daughter.

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When Zara competed in the 2012 Olympics she was given a pair of Team GB-branded specs to wear with her kit

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The royal won a silver medal during the three-day equestrian event, pictured here during the Welcome Ceremony

Prince William’s sporty specs

For his recent game of polo, Prince William wore black wraparound sunglasses.

The keen sportsman was showcasing his skills at the Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor earlier this month.

The match was in memory of the late Rugby League legend and MND campaigner Rob Burrow, who William met in January this year.

The charity match raises money for good causes and the prince has played 13 times over the years, raising millions.

He has worn similar shades over the years, including at a polo match in 2017.

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Prince William sporting racing shades at a charity polo match in Windsor earlier this month

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William playing in another polo match in 2017, wearing different sporty sunglasses

Prince Harry’s athletic shades

In a similar style to his bother, Prince William, Harry sported a pair of black, quirky-cut sunglasses for a polo game in Cape Town in 2015.

However, perhaps they didn’t provide quite enough shade as Harry managed to fall from his polo pony.

The royal, who had scored a goal minutes earlier, appeared unhurt and quickly got to his feet. He walked off the field before returning to play soon after.

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Prince Harry sporting a pair of black, quirky-cut lenses for a polo game in Cape Town in 2015

Charles and Diana sporting shades

Princess Diana enjoyed multiple skiing holidays with William and Harry, and always made sure to dress for the occasion.

During a trip to Lech, Austria, in 1991, the Princess wore a pair of dark, rectangle shades to help shield her eyes from the bright white snow.

Prince William and Harry were also suitably kitted out, with Harry wearing sporty green and yellow framed glasses.

William also had a pair of shades, but his were a rounder design.

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Princess Diana, with her sons, wearing a pair of dark, rectangle shades to help shield her eyes from the bright white snow in Lech, Austria, in 1991. Harry wore a pair of sporty shades, while William’s glasses were more rounded

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Prince Charles, with William and Harry, wearing a pair of red, yellow, white and blue frames during a ski trip in Switzerland in 1996

Charles was also known to enjoy a ski trip with his sons, and was always suitably kitted out.

The then Prince of Wales wore a wide lens pair of sporty shades when skiing with William and Harry in Switzerland in 1996.

The royal had red, yellow, white and blue frames, which contrasted with his grey salopettes.

Harry and William went for a more simple look, both in black lenses.

Prince Albert of Monaco

At a sporting event in 2017, Prince Albert of Monaco chose sporty sunglasses with red frames.

They matched his red, white and black kit he wore to participate in the Riviera Water Bike Challenge.

His wife Princess Charlene wore mirrored sunglasses by Dior for the occasion and watched on as her husband hopped aboard a water bike.

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Princess Charlene wearing Dior sunglasses and Prince Albert of Monaco donning a sporty pair of shades in 2017

Princess Charlene’s sunglasses

As well as being known for her elegant fashion sense, Princess Charlene of Monaco has regularly reached for a pair of sporty sunglasses.

In 2020 the royal wore a pair of Scicon sunglasses to the Water Bike Challenge in Monaco.

The wide-framed black lenses definitely helped to provide plenty of shade.

She paired them with a red sports top to complete the athletic look.

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Princess Charlene wearing a pair of large black Scicon sunglasses to a Water Bike Challenge in Monaco

Prince Jacques of Monaco’s shades

Taking after his parents, Prince Jacques has also jumped on the sporty shade trend.

In 2020, Jacques wore a pair of Oakley Youth sunglasses as he accompanied his mother to the Water Bike Challenge.

The white frame paired with a red polarised lens created a fashionable look for the young royal.

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Prince Jacques sporting a pair of trendy Oakley Youth sunglasses in 2020

Meghan Markle often pays tribute to Princess Diana through her fashion choices.

She recently wore an entire outfit that seemed to come straight from her late mother-in-law’s wardrobe.

Dining at an upscale Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara, Meghan wore a white shirt by Anine Bing tucked into La Ligne mom jeans, reflecting Diana’s iconic off-duty style.

Meghan accessorised her outfit with Chanel ballerinas and a Lady Dior bag – two of Diana’s favourites – as well as a Cartier watch inherited from her.

Diana was frequently seen carrying her quilted Lady Dior bag, prompting the design to be renamed from ‘Chouchou’ to ‘Lady’ in her honour.

Here, we look back at the times the Duchess has replicated her mother-in-law’s style.

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At an upscale Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara, Meghan Markle donned an entire outfit that seemed to come straight from her later mother-in-law Diana’s wardrobe

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Diana championed off-duty style, pairing a white shirt with mom jeans, and often carried a Lady Dior bag

Butterfly suite

Princess Diana’s charming butterfly suite comprises earrings, a necklace and bracelet.

She debuted two pieces from the set during an official visit to Canada in 1986.

While in Vancouver, Diana accessorised her royal blue Catherine Walker suit with the butterfly earrings and a gold necklace, featuring a matching slide enhancer.

The yellow gold design is set with dark blue gemstones, believed to be sapphires.

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Meghan Markle has worn earrings from Princess Diana’s butterfly suite on a number of occasions. Above: Diana wore the butterfly earrings and necklace during a trip to Vancouver, Canada, in 1986; Meghan wearing the earrings during a royal tour of Australia in 2018

A textured cuff bracelet, decorated with diamonds and sapphires, completes the parure.

The princess notably wore this bracelet for a visit to the Lord Gage Centre in Newham in 1990, and continued to wear it over the next decade.

In 2018, following her marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan showcased Diana’s earrings and bracelet in Sydney, during their royal tour of Australia.

She has since repeated both pieces, including at the launch of her clothing collection with the charity Smart Works, and a charity performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

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A textured cuff bracelet, incorporating diamonds and sapphires, completes Diana’s butterfly parure. Diana wore the gold textured cuff while visiting the Lord Gage Centre in Newham, East London, in 1990 (left). Right: Meghan has worn Diana’s cuff at numerous events, including the launch of her clothing collection with the charity Smart Works in 2019

Off-the-shoulder neckline

In 1987, Princess Diana sported a spectacular pink satin evening gown, featuring a deep off-shoulder neckline that showed off her décolletage.

The dress, designed by Catherine Walker, was selected for a Gala performance by the Royal Ballet at the Berlin Opera House.

This look appeared to be a source of inspiration for Meghan’s Trooping the Colour ensemble in 2018, where she chose a Carolina Herrera dress with a similar neckline and hue.

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Diana’s 1987 look appeared to be a source of inspiration for Meghan’s Trooping the Colour ensemble in 2018, where she wore a Carolina Herrera dress with a similar neckline and hue

Cartier Française watch 

Diana wore her Cartier Tank Française on several occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

At the time, the yellow gold timepiece was priced at £17,800.

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Diana wore her Cartier Française Tank watch several times throughout the 1990s. Meghan has worn the same watch countless times since marrying Prince Harry

It is said that, following Diana’s death, Prince William chose to keep the watch, while Prince Harry opted for her engagement ring.

However, the brothers swapped when William decided to propose to Kate Middleton.

Harry later gave the Cartier watch to Meghan, who has worn it on countless occasions. It is a clear favourite from her inherited collection.

Strappy red dress 

Attending the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala in New York, Meghan oozed glamour as she graced the red carpet alongside Prince Harry.

The Duchess’s dress, a bespoke design by Carolina Herrera, was reminiscent of one worn by Princess Diana.

In 1995, the late princess attended a swanky dinner party in Argentina, donning a strappy scarlet dress by Catherine Walker.

The glamorous lace mini dress incorporated a plunging off-the-shoulder neckline and strap detailing, creating a distinctive aesthetic.

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In 1995, Diana wowed in a strappy scarlet dress by Catherine Walker for a swanky dinner in Argentina. Meghan opted for a Carolina Herrera dress with a similar neckline at the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala in New York

Aquamarine ring

Among Diana’s extensive jewellery collection was a striking emerald-cut cocktail ring.

The piece, a gift from Lucia Flecha de Lima, was made by Asprey in the 1990s.

She memorably teamed the ring with a blue one-shoulder Versace dress for a fundraising gala in Sydney, Australia, in 1996.

Diana wore the emerald-cut design only on one other occasion: a party celebrating the launch of her dress auction at Christie’s, in London, the following year.

Meghan re-introduced this stunning ring, last worn in 1997, on her wedding day.

She paired the jewel with a sleek Stella McCartney ivory gown for her evening reception at Frogmore House.

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Diana owned a collection of aquamarines, including a striking emerald-cut cocktail ring

White pencil dress 

During her 2018 royal tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, Meghan opted for a sophisticated white pencil dress by Karen Gee.

The simple, figure-hugging design echoed one worn by her late mother-in-law, some two decades earlier, in 1995.

Hailing from Versace, Diana’s dress incorporated a near identical neckline and silhouette, albeit with a slightly shorter length.

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Meghan’s simple, figure-hugging dress, worn in 2018, echoed one that her late mother-in-law showcased in 1995

It was just after 11pm on a Saturday night on August 30, 1997.

My wife, Jill and I had returned from a night out at the pictures watching a just released movie – The Full Monty.

No sooner had I put the key in the lock than my mobile phone rang.

A contact rang to tell me there had been a ‘bit of a bump’ in a car in which Princess Diana was a passenger.

Little did I realise then that this was a night that I would never forget for the rest of my life and the awful events prey on my mind even now.

She had left the Ritz in Paris, with Dodi Al Fayed (the son of the hotel’s owner Mohammed Al Fayed), chauffeur Henri Paul and Dodi’s English bodyguard Trevor Rees Jones.

He told me there were no more details yet, but I knew that even a bump involving the Princess was going to keep me busy the following morning.

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Princess Diana seen in St Tropez just a few weeks before her death in Paris

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The last ever photo taken of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed in the Mercedes car in which they were killed a short time later, on August 31, 1997

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Drunk chauffeur Henri Paul seen at the wheel of the car alongside bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, as Diana and Dodi sit in the back

That was the first of dozens and dozens of phone calls that night which resulted in no sleep. Each phone call told me at every stage just how bad it had become.

I rang my news editor and editor at home in the early hours as we found out that Diana and Dodi were in the car and Dodi was probably dead.

Henri Paul had also been killed and Diana was in a very bad way.

Paul had been driving the black bulletproof Mercedes 280SL that was chosen for the fateful journey.

He lost control in the underpass at the Pont D’Alma tunnel and the car horribly crashed.

Both he and Dodi were killed instantly.

Despite efforts to save her, Diana was pronounced dead at 4:00 a.m. French time, after suffering from a stroke in La Pitié Salpêtriére Hospital, Paris. Only Trevor Rees Jones survived.

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The wreckage of the car that killed Diana was taken out of the Alma underpass

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The ambulance that took Princess Diana to the hospital on the night of the crash

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Charles Rae, in the pale blue polo shirt, seen chatting to Princess Diana during her holiday in St Tropez

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Diana and her boys, Prince William and Prince Harry, stayed at the Castle St Therese – owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed – in the billionaire’s playground of  St. Tropez, France

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Prince Harry seen in St Tropez driving a jet ski as his mother Princess Diana sits on the back

At around 3am another telephone call from my contact told me that Diana was dead.

The call came just before it was officially announced by the then foreign secretary Robin Cook.

For the next eight days, I worked almost non-stop.

I was not a close friend of the Princess, but we knew each other well.

Over the previous few years, we had had many conversations. My deep sadness and anger that she was taken so young has not lessened over the years

The sad and tragic fact is the couple were killed because Paul, who should not have been on duty that night, had been drinking and drove at high speed in an attempt to show off his driving skills.

The subsequent inquest confirmed the presence of alcohol in his blood.

Police bodyguards I have spoken to about this matter all say that had they been on duty with the Princess that fateful night, they would never have let her get into that car.

But police bodyguards had been removed from Diana on her separation from Prince Charles. This was at Diana’s request and not a removal of a perk by the Queen.

Only a couple of weeks before, I had gone down to St Tropez because Diana was on holiday with William and Harry.

Her host was the controversial Harrods boss Al Fayed, at his impressive ‘Castle St Therese’ in St Tropez in the south of France.

This was a 10-bedroom, cream villa set amid a 10-acre estate perched on cliffs overlooking the azure sea.

From the estate, a long flight of steps led to the sea, a private beach and a pier. It was worth around £40million.

The area is the playground for the rich and famous and it is also as leaky as a sieve.

No celebrity goes unnoticed for long and it was only a matter of time before the news hit us about Diana.

Once down there, we had to hire a boat. This was one of the first occasions when, because of the improvements in new technology, we would not have to leave the scene to move our pictures and copy.

We could do it all right there at sea. We did not have to wait long to be rewarded.

Diana appeared in a print leopard swimsuit and the boys were soon zipping around on jet skis and laughing.

A short time later, I spotted the Princess on the balcony. She appeared to be in an agitated state and was talking on her mobile.

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The devastated sisters of Diana with her ex-husband, Prince Charles, leaving the hospital where the Princess died from injuries caused by the crash

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Princess Diana’s coffin arrives at RAF Northolt after being flown from Paris

With one hand she held her phone, as the other flailed around like a windmill.

The next thing, the princess ended the call, threw the mobile down onto a sunbed and then marched down to the jetty to a waiting speedboat,

With Dave Sharp, one of her sons’ police bodyguards, the boat roared out to sea, and came straight to our vessel.

Diana stood up and, clearly, she was not in a happy mood.

This was in sharp contrast to her earlier demeanor. Whatever had happened in that phone call to make her upset?

Diana made it perfectly clear that she did not want us to leave.

Just as she was about to leave, she dropped a bombshell which has never been explained.

‘You are going to get a big surprise with the next thing I do,’ she said.

She refused to give details of what the revelation would be or when it would happen.

Charles Rae is a former royal correspondent for The Sun and the author of Diana: The People’s Princess – A Personal Tribute in Words and Pictures.  

Breaking News: Prince Harry Returns to the UK with Son Archie, Causing a Stir at Buckingham Palace

In a surprising and heartfelt turn of events, Prince Harry has returned to the United Kingdom after five years of stepping away from royal duties. Accompanying him is his young son, Prince Archie, whose presence is already making waves throughout Buckingham Palace.

This marks the first time Prince Archie, now five years old, has set foot in the palace since his parents’ departure from royal life in 2020. The visit has reportedly brought a mix of joy and nostalgia for the royal family, with many eager to reconnect with the young prince. Witnesses inside the palace have described Archie as a “bundle of energy,” charming staff and family members alike with his cheerful demeanor and curiosity about his royal heritage.

Prince Harry’s return is seen as a significant step toward rebuilding ties with the family. Insiders suggest that the Duke of Sussex chose this moment to reconnect with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, signaling a desire for reconciliation. Bringing Archie along is believed to be a heartfelt gesture to bridge the generational gap and foster a closer bond between the young prince and his royal relatives.

Archie’s presence has sparked excitement, especially among the staff and younger royal family members. According to sources, the little prince has been exploring the palace gardens and learning about royal traditions in a way that balances his upbringing in California with his deep-rooted ties to British royalty. His bright personality and playful interactions with cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are said to have brought a renewed sense of joy to the palace.

The visit also comes amid speculation about Harry’s future role within the monarchy. While no official announcements have been made, many are wondering whether this trip could signify a potential return to royal duties in some capacity. For now, the focus remains on family unity and allowing Archie to connect with his royal heritage.

As the public watches closely, this reunion offers hope for healing within the royal family. Prince Harry’s decision to bring Archie back to the UK underscores the importance of family ties, even in the face of past challenges. With smiles, laughter, and a renewed sense of togetherness echoing through Buckingham Palace, the visit marks a new chapter for the Sussexes and the monarchy.

 at the Duke of York’s barracks in Chelsea – but instead travelled back to Scotland to be with Prince William.

Before Diana married into the Royal Family she lived with Carolyn and two other flatmates – Virginia Pitman and Annie Bolton.

Diana and Annie had their own bedrooms while Carolyn and Virginia shared. The flat was bought for the princess by her mother Frances and Diana charged the girls £18 a week rent.

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A Daily Mail newspaper report from the wedding detailing how Diana said to the newly wed couple, ‘Have a lovely honeymoon’

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Before Diana married into the Royal Family she lived with Carolyn and two other flatmates – Virginia Pitman and Annie Bolton

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Diana with her son, Prince William, in New Zealand when he was less than a year old

The trio were some of the princess’s closest friends.

They shared many secrets and stories with one another inside the apartment on the corner of Old Brompton Road and The Little Boltons in south-west London – including the details of Diana’s early relationship with Charles.

One of the flatmates, Virginia Pitman, previously told how Diana burst into the three-bedroom flat and said: ‘Just as I would be saying, “Oh my God, I met this guy last night”, Diana was going, “Oh my God I met this guy at the weekend but I have to call him Your Highness.”

Diana also shared the news of her engagement with her flatmates three weeks before it was officially announced.

Carolyn supported Diana during her own wedding preparations and the trio would visit Diana at Buckingham Palace after she moved there.

Virginia recalled: ‘The sweetest thing I can remember is when she moved into Buckingham Palace.

‘She liked to invite us round there sometimes. We were there when her wedding veil arrived.

‘I think it was Carolyn and me and Diana and we were taking it in turns trying it on and imagining what was coming. It was surreal, wandering around her bedroom in the palace wearing the veil.’

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The newly wed couple Carolyn Pride and William Bartholomew in September 1982

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Diana smiling at her close friend as they walk by following their wedding ceremony

When Carolyn lived with Diana, she was studying singing and piano at the Royal College of Music.

An accomplished sportswoman as well as a musician, it was reported that she had too many rosettes and that they wouldn’t all fit in the flat.

During an auction in 2017, ‘intimate letters’ that Diana sent to Carolyn fetched more than £93,000.

Carolyn is one of Prince Harry’s godmothers and attended his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle.

Her husband is now a party organiser and the couple have two children together.

Victoria Beckham has revealed the real reason for her extreme diet, which according to husband David, has seen her eat the same thing for the last 25 years.

The fashion designer, 50, said she first give up meat when she was only eight and now continues to abide by a strict set of rules for the sake of her skin, after struggling with acne at the height of her Spice Girls fame.

Victoria said she now also avoids certain wheats and flours and keeps her complexion radiant with a £2,000 Dermalux LED device, which she uses for 30-minutes every morning.

She told The Telegraph: ‘It was because of my skin that I became very careful about what I ate.’

Victoria also admitted that she now never cooks after previously trying to master the art when the family lived in Spain, after David signed for Real Madrid in 2003.

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Victoria Beckham, 50, has revealed the real reason for her extreme diet which according to husband David has seen her eat the same thing for the last 25 years

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She also admitted never cooking due to daughter Harper, 13, joking she can ‘burn water’

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She said she first give up meat when she was only eight and now continues to abide by a strict set of rules after struggling with acne at the height of her Spice Girls fame (pictured 1997)

She quipped: ‘[My daughter] Harper says I can burn water, so it’s probably better for everyone that I don’t’.

Victoria and David, who wed in 1999, are parents to Brooklyn, 25,  Romeo, 22, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 13.

She also admitted that the reason she always used to look so stern in pictures is because she was self-conscious about her skin.

Over the years, the fashion designer became synonymous for her steely pout, often failing to crack a smile at many a public event.

Victoria has long been open about her insecurity with her ‘problematic’ skin, having suffered with acne since her teens, and struggled soaring to fame in her twenties while having skin issues.

As she reflected on being acutely self-conscious about her looks, she remarked: ‘probably I did look stern in a lot of pictures, but I was so uncomfortable’.

Victoria isn’t the only celeb who has opted for LED treatment, with Light Therapy Masks favoured by A-listers like Kaley Cuoco, Carey Mulligan, Kristen Davis and Suki Waterhouse.

Using a combination of red and infrared light, the at-home beauty device claims to boosts circulation, smooths skin texture, and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin looking plumper and younger.

‘They’re so cute’: Victoria Beckham launches ‘perfect hand cream’

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Victoria has long been open about her insecurity with her ‘problematic’ skin and struggled soaring to fame in her twenties while having skin issues

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She said she now also avoids wheat, Cassava flour and keeps her complexion radiant with a £2,000 Dermalux LED device which she uses for 30-minutes every morning  (pictured)

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Victoria also admitted that she now never cooks after previously trying to master the art when the family lived in Spain , after David signed for Real Madrid (pictured as family earlier this year)

Victoria insisted in a recent chat with Grazia magazine that she wouldn’t go as far as to give up her beloved wine and she just wants to ‘have a nice time’.

She did, however, admit her diet was ‘disciplined’, stating: ‘This is how I look. I’m going to make the best of it, work hard at it.

Inside Victoria’s diet

‘I’m very disciplined with the way that I eat, the way that I work out and the way I work. That’s just who I am.’

It perhaps undersells her extreme eating habits, with her husband David previously revealing that Victoria has eaten the same meal every single day for 25 years – grilled fish and steamed vegetables.

‘I get quite emotional about food and wine, when I’m eating something great I want everyone to try it,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately I’m married to someone that has eaten the same thing for the last 25 years!

‘Since I met her she only eats grilled fish [and] steamed vegetables. She will very rarely deviate from that.

‘The only time she’s probably ever shared something that’s been on my plate was actually when she was pregnant with Harper and it was the most amazing thing.

‘It was one of my favourite evenings. I can’t remember what it was but I know she’s not eaten it since.’

In July, Victoria responded to this confession, telling Vogue Australia her husband made her tastes ‘sound boring’ when in fact she fills her diet with ‘healthy fat’ and regularly does detoxes where she abstains from drinking alcohol.

She said: ‘I mean, talk about making me sound boring! No. What he meant is that he’s never met anyone who is more disciplined with the way that they eat.

‘I eat lots of healthy fat: fish, avocado, nuts, that sort of thing. I do drink alcohol, unless I have a reason not to.

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David previously revealed that she has eaten the same meal every single day for 25 years – grilled fish and steamed vegetables – branding it ‘unfortunate’

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Victoria admitted her diet was ‘disciplined’, stating: ‘I’m very disciplined with the way that I eat, the way that I work out and the way I work. That’s just who I am’

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Victoria said her husband made her tastes ‘sound boring’ when in fact she fills her diet with ‘healthy fat’ and regularly does detoxes where she abstains from drinking alcohol

‘I’ll detox from anything for three to six months where I won’t drink. I’m quite extreme in anything I do, whether it’s eating or working out or drinking or not drinking.

Victoria’s extreme diet has hit the headlines over the years, with Rio Ferdinand also  giving an insight into her eating habits.

The retired English footballer, 44, is friends with Victoria’s husband David after playing football together at the World Cup and would sometimes dine with the couple during training.

While speaking to Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O, host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson admitted she was ‘obsessed’ with Victoria’s diet.

Rio responded: ‘I’ve never seen her eat anything. I don’t remember anything that sticks out of my memory, to be honest.’

Death of Queen Elizabeth II has been announced at the age of 96, ending longest reign of any British monarch
Passing of Her Majesty comes 17 months after her husband Prince Philip died in April 2021 at the age of 99 
Family members gathered by the side of the British monarch at her Scottish home of Balmoral during her final hours, with the nation now poised for a ten-day period of mourning ahead of her funeral 
The Queen first met Prince Philip as a 13-year-old girl and from that moment on was a ‘one-man woman’  
The teenage romance grew into a deep love that formed the foundation of a marriage that lasted 73 years 

When Prince Philip died in 2021, the Queen took solace in knowing they would be reunited in death  
Now that day has come, a look back at the great love story that defined her love – and the modern monarchy 

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has been announced by Buckingham Palace this afternoon.  

England’s longest serving monarch died peacefully at Balmoral, at the age of 96, today with members of the extended royal family, including Prince Charles, the oldest and longest serving heir apparent in British history, by her bedside.

 

 

The nation now begins an extended period of mourning, reflecting on her extraordinary life and service – and one of history’s most enduring romances. 

Like all great love stories, the Queen and Prince Philip’s had a great beginning. A 13-year-old princess met a handsome young naval officer and, despite her tender years, fell head-over-heels in love.

The princess was Elizabeth, daughter of King George VI and heir to the British throne. The 18-year-old naval cadet was Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark.

From that day on Elizabeth was a ‘one-man woman’. As one friend would later say: ‘She never looked at anyone else. She was smitten from the start’.

His feelings were just as strong. In a letter to his new mother-in-law after their 1947 wedding, he wrote: ‘Lilibet is the only ‘thing’ in this world which is absolutely real to me.’

This deep, unwavering love formed the foundation of a marriage that lasted 73 years and was at the heart of the modern British monarchy. It only ended with the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021, at the age of 99.

At the time, the Queen turned to words first spoken at their Golden Wedding Anniversary to try and encapsulate all that her husband had meant to her. 

‘He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.’ 

After his death, sources said she was ‘comforted’ by her faith that they would one day ‘be reunited’.  

Now, as the nation bids farewell to Queen Elizabeth II, a look back at the great love of her life.

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This deep, unwavering love between the young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark formed the foundation of a marriage that lasted 73 years and was at the heart of the modern British monarchy. It only ended with the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021, at the age of 99. Pictured, on their wedding day in 1947 (left) and in June 2020

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Together once more: One of the last photographs taken of the Queen as she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party, Liz Truss, to become Prime Minister and form a new government, at Balmoral Castle on September 6th 2022

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The Queen pictured several months before her death during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, alongside her son and heir, Prince Charles. After the death of his father, the Prince of Wales was a constant at his mother’s side for

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It began in July 1939 when Princess Elizabeth joined her parents George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and sister, Princess Margaret, on a visit to Dartmouth’s Britannia Royal Naval College (pictured, their first meeting)

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On the balcony at Buckingham Palace are (from left) King George VI, Princess Margaret, Lady Mary Cambridge, Princess Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, at the wedding of Elizabeth and Philip in November 1947

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Within a year of marriage, the couple had produced an heir to the throne as Charles Philip Arthur George, was born on November 14, 1948. Their second child, Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, on August 15 1950. They are pictured at Balmoral in 1951

Romeo Beckham cosied up to his glamorous new girlfriend Kim Turnbull as she accompanied him to the launch of his mother Victoria’s capsule collection with Mytheresa on Thursday in New York.

The former footballer, 22, and American DJ, 23, looked happier than ever as they posed for a picture together at the swanky event, which took place at Coqodaq restaurant in Manhattan.

Romeo cut an effortlessly stylish figure in a black knitted jumper and smart trousers, teamed with a pair of shiny brogues.

He wrapped his arm around the stunning model, who also went for an all-black look.

Kim wore her brunette tresses slicked back into a neat updo and accessorised with an array of silver earrings.

She elevated her natural beauty with a sultry palette of makeup, including a smoky eyeshadow look.

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Romeo Beckham cosied up to his glamorous girlfriend Kim Turnbull as she accompanied him to the launch of his mother’s capsule collection with Mytheresa on Thursday in New York

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Elsewhere at the star-studded bash, Romeo posed for a family snap with his mother Victoria and father David

Elsewhere at the star-studded bash, Romeo looked like a proud son as he posed for a family snap with his mother Victoria and father David.

The fashion designer, 50, looked nothing short of incredible in an elegant white maxi gown dress paired with pointy maroon heels.

She has joined forces with Mytheresa on an exclusive capsule collection for party wear this season.

Meanwhile, David put on a dapper display in a grey suit as he lovingly held hands with his wife for the photo.

Details about how Romeo and his new girlfriend Kim met are not explicitly documented, however Kim has been linked to certain social circles and is thought to have had a friendship with Romeo’s older brother, Brooklyn.

In the last few weeks, Romeo and Kim have enjoyed a lunch date at Fiume in Battersea, London and shared videos and photos of each other playing and walking with dogs.

Kim also used to date Rocco Ritchie, the son of Guy Ritchie and Madonna back in 2016.

The couple went Instagram official on Wednesday and Romeo seems besotted with Kim as he took to his Story with a sweet snap.

In the post, the couple looked happier than ever as they cosied up in the car with Romeo planting a kiss on Kim’s hand.

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The fashion designer, 50, looked nothing short of incredible in an elegant white maxi gown dress paired with pointy maroon heels

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The couple went Instagram official on Wednesday and Romeo seems besotted with Kim as he took to his Story with a sweet snap

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Kim is an aspiring DJ and has performed at venues like Fabric and KOKO in London, as well as festivals across Europe, Africa, the U.S., and Asia

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Details about how Romeo and his new girlfriend Kim met are not explicitly documented

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Romeo split from model Mia Regan after a five-year on-off romance

The son of David and Victoria Beckham looked dapper in baggy grey open shirt, while his girlfriend stunned in a white button up shirt under a black wool coat.

While the couple appear to be smitten, it comes just weeks after Romeo was spotted looking similarly loved-up with Gray Sorrenti last month.

He was seen packing on the PDA with the photographer during a romantic stroll in New York City, confirming romance rumours surrounding the pair that first began in September.

Romeo is now enjoying spending time with Kim and a source told The Sun: ‘Romeo is young and single and is happily playing the field. He had a lot of fun with Gray and now he’s enjoying his dates with Kim. She is no stranger to the spotlight and previously dated Madonna’s son Rocco Ritchie.

‘Kim and Romeo were out at Chiltern Firehouse on Tuesday night and Wednesday, where they hung out until the early hours the following day.

‘Romeo is good looking, talented and very charming so it’s not hard to see why so many women are keen to bag a date with him.’

Romeo and Kim were seen heading home from their cosy evening at London restaurant on Tuesday, making separate exits, before she drove the pair home.

Like Romeo, Kim has also followed in her father’s footsteps, working as DJ like her dad Alex Turnbull, who also was a member of band 23 Skidoo and founder of hip-hop label, Ronin Record, while her grandparents were artists William Turbull and Kim Lim.

Victoria Beckham has admitted that the reason she always used to look so stern in pictures is because she was self-conscious about her skin.

Over the years, the fashion designer, 50, became synonymous for her steely pout, often failing to crack a smile at many a public event.

Victoria has long been open about her insecurity with her ‘problematic’ skin, having suffered with acne since her teens, and struggled soaring to fame in her twenties while having skin issues.

And in a new interview with The Telegraph, Victoria reflected on feeling ‘so uncomfortable’ when taking photos as she didn’t feel happy within herself to break out into a smile.

During the chat, Victoria – who has received the publication’s inaugural Beauty Brand of the Year award – told how she sought advice from skincare experts, with the fashion designer now following a strict routine to ensure her skin stays clear.

As she reflected on being acutely self-conscious about her looks, Victoria remarked: ‘probably I did look stern in a lot of pictures, but I was so uncomfortable’.

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Victoria Beckham has admitted that the reason she always used to look so stern in pictures is because she was self-conscious about her skin

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Over the years, the fashion designer, 50, became synonymous for her steely pout, often failing to crack a smile at many a public event [pictured in 2002]

And it wasn’t just her lack of public smiles that were a consequence of her skin problems, but her strict diet too.

Victoria has a famously limited diet, with husband David Beckham previously revealing that she’s eaten the same meal everyday for 25 years – grilled fish and steamed vegetables.

Explaining her decision to eat a very specific diet, Victoria added: ‘It was because of my skin that I became very careful about what I ate’, with the star cutting out meat and wheat among others.

These days, Victoria is much more comfortable in her skin and even offers up a warm smile on many an occasion.

In fact she’s so relaxed about her looks that she revealed how she now even feels comfortable enough to head to glam events with very little make-up on.

She remarked: ‘If you’d told me a few years ago I’d step on to a red carpet to pick up an award wearing only a bit of concealer and no foundation, I’d have thought you were mad, but that’s what I did last week.’

The mother-of-five told how she’s found getting older genuinely liberating, admitting that there was once a time when she used to ‘scroll through comments’ about herself, but these days, she simply doesn’t ‘have the time’.

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As she reflected on being acutely self-conscious about her looks, Victoria remarked: ‘probably I did look stern in a lot of pictures, but I was so uncomfortable’ [pictured in 2000]

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Explaining her decision to eat a very specific diet, Victoria added: ‘It was because of my skin that I became very careful about what I ate’, with the star cutting out meat and wheat among others

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These days, Victoria is much more comfortable in her skin and even offers up a warm smile on many an occasion

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‘If you’d told me a few years ago I’d step on to a red carpet to pick up an award wearing only a bit of concealer and no foundation, I’d have thought you were mad’

Victoria’s words comes after she looked ageless in a chic backless white dress as she attended a dinner with Mytheresa to celebrate the launch of her new collection on Thursday.

The has joined forces with Mytheresa on an exclusive capsule collection for partywear this season.

Celebrating her new range, Victoria posed for some glamorous pictures before taking her seat in the swanky restaurant in Manhattan, New York.

And Victoria looked nothing short of sensational as she flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in the elegant number.

She displayed her toned figure in the ethereal midi dress and accessorised her outfit with burgundy heels and a clutch bag.

Victoria’s supportive husband David, 49, and son Romeo, 22, also arrived to the star-studded dinner.

Her outing comes just days after she admitted she ‘cares less’ about the idea of being famous now.

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Victoria’s words comes after she looked ageless in a chic backless white dress as she attended a dinner with Mytheresa to celebrate the launch of her new collection on Thursday

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The fashion designer has joined forces with Mytheresa on an exclusive capsule collection for party wear this season

Victoria Beckham showcases new partywear collection at event

Victoria shot to fame alongside Geri Halliwell, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Melanie C as part of the Spice Girls in the late 1990s.

They became the best-selling girl group of all time, and Victoria later had a brief solo career before going on into the world of fashion.

But the star – who is also known for her marriage to footballer David – recently admitted that the idea of fame doesn’t really appeal now.

She told Harper’s Bazaar magazine: ‘I suppose it used to be fun to go out and be chased by paparazzi walking down Bond Street – and you would dress knowing you were going to get that. I don’t want that anymore.

‘I’ve been doing this too long. I suppose I did when I was growing up but, nowadays, there’s just too much going on; too busy; too many kids to worry about. I woke up at 50, and I gave a s*** less.’

Experts today voiced concern over David Beckham‘s new wellness brand, warning the supplements were ‘meaningless nonsense’.

The all-in-one powder ‘Daily Ultimate Essentials’ claims to replace the need for 16 daily supplements with its 92 nutrient-rich ingredients.

The brand IM8, owned by the former footballer, say the £65 product also boosts energy and digestion, as well as giving hair, skin and nails a glow up.

Its ‘Daily Ultimate Longevity’ capsule — setting you back £61 — is also designed to ‘support healthy ageing’.

But experts today labelled the products ‘yet another celebrity endorsed supplement’ and said the brand makes ‘questionable claims’ based purely on ‘limited information from poorly conducted studies’.

Taken in excess, it is ‘unlikely to be harmful’, they cautioned.

However, the quantities of ingredients used in both products are not listed, putting some allergy sufferers at risk, they added, with the benefits of some ingredients even counteracting each other.

Crafted by a team including an ex-NASA chief scientist, IM8 claims it is ‘an unparalleled collaboration between academia, medicine and space science’.

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The brand IM8, owned by the former footballer, are selling a £65 all-in-one powder ‘Daily Ultimate Essentials’ and ‘Daily Ultimate Longevity’ capsule, setting you back £61

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But experts today labelled the products ‘yet another celebrity endorsed supplement’. Pictured, David Beckham with wife Victoria in October

The all-in-one powder ‘Daily Ultimate Essentials’ claims to replace the need for 16 daily supplements with its 92 nutrient-rich ingredients. Its ‘Daily Ultimate Longevity’ capsule is also designed to ‘support healthy ageing’

Buying the two products together, dubbed ‘The Beckham Stack’ will cost you a thrifty £100.

Among the 92 ingredients in ‘Daily Ultimate Essentials’ is acai and mixed berry powder which includes a blend of pre, pro, and postbiotics for gut health, as well as  vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, superfoods, greens, and adaptogens — herbs believed to help stress levels.

The second product designed to boost longevity contains a ‘powerful formula’ of ingredients that target ‘the 11 hallmarks of aging’ and ‘enhance cellular health’.

This includes copper to aid ‘blood vessel health, immune function and iron absorption’ and popular supplement vitamin B12 to help ‘energy production and cognitive function’.

But Professor Edzard Ernst, a world-renowned expert in complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, told MailOnline: ‘These products will sell well — not because they work wonders but because Beckham promotes them.

‘Helping your “natural energy” and optimising your “body’s digestive health” are terms that might be good advertising but, scientifically, are meaningless nonsense.’

Professor Penny Ward, an expert in pharmaceutical medicines at Kings College London, also said: ‘This seems to be yet another celebrity endorsed nutritional supplement making questionable claims.

‘These are based on limited information from poorly conducted studies and largely anecdotal statements — often the case, regrettably, for these products.’

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Buying the two products together, dubbed ‘The Beckham Stack’ will cost you a thrifty £100

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Among the 92 ingredients in ‘Daily Ultimate Essentials’ is acai and mixed berry powder which includes a blend of pre, pro, and postbiotics for gut health, as well as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, superfoods, greens, and adaptogens

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The second product designed to boost longevity contains a ‘powerful formula’ of ingredients that target ‘the 11 hallmarks of aging’ and ‘enhance cellular health’

She told MailOnline: ‘All that said, the contents are unlikely to be harmful although some folks might react if they have past allergies to any of the ingredients.

‘There is a rare disease called Wilsons Disease which leads to copper overload and people with that might need to avoid this — as they do any foods or medicines containing copper.

‘It is difficult to know precisely how these supplements could affect people as the actual quantities of each ingredient in each “dose” is not even cited.’

While copper has long been considered safe to consume at low levels for many, a buildup of too much can lead to poisoning — a serious problem if not treated.

Symptoms may range from abdominal cramps and vomiting to jaundice, stiff muscles and even liver failure.

Meanwhile, Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition and food science at the University of Reading, told MailOnline he was ‘sceptical’ of the products given it is not clear how much of each ingredient is present.

Certain amounts of calcium phosphate for instance, present in both supplements can render zinc — another ingredient — useless, for instance.

Professor Kuhnle added: ‘It’s also not clear whether they are even absorbed by the body or not.

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IM8 claimed a 12-week clinical trial at the San Francisco Research Institute showed promising early results

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It was sponsored by Prenetics, a US-based health research firm and IM8’s other co-founder alongside Beckham

‘The claims on the label are hyperbole and I assume they’re written with a regulator in mind, so uses the most pompous description that is permitted.’

IM8 claimed a 12-week clinical trial at the San Francisco Research Institute showed promising early results.

It was sponsored by Prenetics, a US-based health research firm and IM8’s other co-founder alongside Beckham.

After 30 days, 93 per cent of participants reported increased energy levels, while 73 per cent experienced ‘better endurance during workouts’.

Six in ten also noticed improvements in both digestion and the health of their hair, skin, and nails, they claimed.

But the study, linked on the IM8 website and published in the National Library of Medicine, does not yet display any results online.

Instead the library claims ‘study results have not been submitted’.

Professor Kuhnle told MailOnline: ‘It is interesting so see a big discrepancy between what the website claims regarding these trials and what the trial register says.

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The study , linked on the IM8 website and published in the National Library of Medicine, does not yet display any results online

‘The website claims a wide range of parameters are going to be measured.’

But study details available in the library show among its measures includes BMI, micronutrient intake and self-reported energy levels.

‘Self-reporting is very questionable because people often don’t remember what they ate correctly’, Professor Kuhnle added.

Dr Adam Collins, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Surrey, also told MailOnline: ‘Claims regarding increased energy levels and optimised digestive health are highly subjective, and improvements in these areas are challenging to measure scientifically.

‘Gut microbiome changes, for instance, can be temporary and largely reflect recent dietary intake.

‘The clinical trial for these products is still in its recruitment stage, which means we lack robust evidence to support their efficacy.

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‘While there are some reputable scientists involved in developing these supplements, the claims made about their effects should be approached with caution.’

Among its team includes Dr Dawn Mussallem, an oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Dr James Green, former NASA chief scientist and Dr David Katz, the founding director of the US-based Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Centre.

‘There are clearly some big names, but while this is good for marketing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he ingredient really works,’ Professor Kuhnle said.

In an Instagram post, Beckham said: ‘Even though I’ve retired from the game, I want to stay healthy and active.

‘I was looking for a product I could trust and that would fit easily into my daily routine.

‘I’ve tried lots of vitamins and supplements over the years, but it was hard to find a product that gave me everything I need.

‘Health and wellness have always been a priority for me, both on and off the field.

‘We wanted to create something that helps people to feel their best every day — and with IM8, we’ve done that.

‘We’ve brought together a world-leading team of scientists to create something unique and effective, and I’m excited to be able to share it with the world.

‘I have personally experienced the positive impact that IM8 has had on my health, energy and focus.

‘Together with Prenetics, IM8 is harnessing the best of science and innovation, helping people around the world take charge of their health and wellness.’