Blog

Liam Payne was outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with drugs and alcohol, once admitting: ‘I don’t know if I’ve hit rock bottom yet.’

The star, 31, fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday before medics confirmed his death.

 

Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: ‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it’.

‘I don’t even know if I have hit it yet. I can either make that choice now and pick my last moment as my rock bottom or I can make a whole new low.’

He admitted he had suffered for years with ‘social anxiety’ and ‘stress’ from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under while not having the freedom to go anywhere as a boyband member.

+19
View gallery

Liam Payne was outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with alcohol , once admitting: ‘I don’t know if I’ve hit rock bottom yet’

The Wolverhampton teenager first auditioned for the X Factor aged 14 before returning two years later when One Direction was formed.

They became one of the biggest pop groups in the world but six years after they were formed, with more than 20 million albums sold, the band were placed on indefinite hiatus.

The band have revealed how they went straight from The X Factor to stardom, with Liam recalling how his dad told him during the build up to the December X Factor final ‘don’t come home until Christmas the day that I left for the show and I never came home.’

Marking One Direction’s 10th anniversary in 2020, Payne shared a screenshot of a text message he sent to his father on the day he joined the group, reading: ‘I’m in a boyband.’

‘What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my dad years ago at this exact time the band was formed,’ he said.

Liam had in recent years talked about his journey to sobriety, and how his drinking began when the global mania for the boyband meant they were often stuck in hotel rooms, where alcohol was readily available.

He told Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast: ‘It feels to me, like when we were in the band. The best way to secure us was to lock us in our rooms, and what is in the room? A mini-bar.

‘So I had a party-for-one that seemed to carry on for many years of my life, and then you look back at how long you’ve been drinking? And Jesus Christ that’s a long time, even for someone as young as I am.’

+19
View gallery

Liam recalled how his dad told him during the build up to the December X Factor final ‘don’t come home until Christmas the day that I left for the show and I never came home’ (pictured on the show aged 16)

+19
View gallery

He admitted he had suffered for years with ‘social anxiety’ and ‘stress’ from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under (pictured in 2023)

In multiple interviews Liam explained how he’d used alcohol to cope with both the massive success of One Direction and their subsequent split, telling Men’s Health Australia in 2019 that ‘it’s difficult when you have the level of fame that we had in the band.’

‘There have been a lot of people in trouble with mental health that aren’t really getting the help that they need, and I think that’s a bit of a problem in our industry,’

‘It’s the same s**t that happens to everyone, that’s been happening since the ’70s. You know what the traps are and if you are lucky enough, like me, to be able to get out of that scenario and back into a sense of normality, then you know it’s a bit different.’

Liam went onto compare going on stage and out in public to ‘putting the Disney costume on,’ admitting: ‘I was [drunk] quite a lot of the time because there was no other way to get your head around what was going on’.

‘I mean, it was fun. We had an absolute blast, but there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic.’

‘There have been a lot of people in trouble with mental health that aren’t really getting the help that they need, and I think that’s a bit of a problem in our industry,’

‘It’s the same s**t that happens to everyone, that’s been happening since the ’70s. You know what the traps are and if you are lucky enough, like me, to be able to get out of that scenario and back into a sense of normality, then you know it’s a bit different.’

Liam went onto compare going on stage and out in public to ‘putting the Disney costume on,’ admitting: ‘I was [drunk] quite a lot of the time because there was no other way to get your head around what was going on’.

‘I mean, it was fun. We had an absolute blast, but there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic.’

Speaking on This Morning in late 2019, Liam admitted he was as much scared of success as a solo artist as he was of failure.

‘That was the craziest thing, as the band stopped and we had a number of months off, it was almost like going through some weird, early retirement… it’s trying to find out who you are, what’s your purpose.’

‘I went through a number of different bits of therapy. As Strip That Down was coming out I was almost as afraid of its success as I was the failure which isn’t a very comfortable place to be in life.’

He explained how comedian Russell Brand was among those to guide him through those years, telling This Morning:

‘I went away, I had a thing with drink and it was a guy called Chip Somers who got me sober. I was sober for about a year and visited Russell Brand. We went down to meetings together.’ Brand was a patron of the Focus 12 treatment centre, founded by Somers at the time.

‘For anybody who’s having a problem with mental health, the best thing to do is speak to someone. We’re all as crazy as the next person.’

+19
View gallery

Speaking on This Morning in late 2019, Liam admitted he was as much scared of success as a solo artist as he was of failure

Whilst he was spoke about his year of being sober back in 2019, Liam later admitted his addiction continued during the Covid pandemic.

He went through a mental health crisis which he spoke about in 2021 while appearing on Ant Middleton’s Straight Talking programme.

He said he was ‘quite lucky to be here still’, and added: ‘There’s times where that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day every so often… it’s like, ‘When will this end?’… that’s almost nearly killed me a couple of times.’

‘I’ve been in a bad place, it’s definitely been on the menu a couple of times in my life… when things start to pile on top of each other that’s when it can really get you, you really have to change your view about it. One thing you can control in that situation is you.

‘You just get on with it, there will be another hurdle in a few weeks, a few months or maybe even the next day, you never really know.’

+19
View gallery

Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: ‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me?’

Liam had also reflected on how badly his split from Girls Aloud star Cheryl affected him.

The pair having first met on The X Factor when she was a judge, and amid their whirlwind romnace in March 2017, the couple announced the birth of their son Bear.

The singer would go on to speak proudly of his son in the years to come, saying during one awards ceremony that Bear ‘constantly inspires’ him to be a better person.

But in July 2018, Payne and Cheryl announced their split after two-and-a-half years together, and he was later romantically linked to models Naomi Campbell and Maya Henry.

He opened up about his separation from Cheryl, saying it was tough to break up in the public spotlight and that announcing it was ‘like breaking up twice’.

Speaking to Ant Middleton in 2021 about his son, Liam said: ‘I get lonely if I can’t see Bear for a few days. It seems to the outside world that I have everything but there are so many parts missing. Uncertainty is a big thing in my life, I don’t know how long it will last.

‘Also, my home life situation is problematic and difficult. Distance is difficult. And there are 50 million rumours a week which are hard to ignore. Trust is difficult.

‘Being away from your child out of choice and no choice is difficult to barter with in your head. You know why you’re doing what you’re doing but you wonder what you’re missing out on. Have you got it right?

‘So many people get to the end of their life and go: ‘I wish I’d done this and that.’ I don’t want to be one of those people.’

+19
View gallery

Liam had also reflected on how badly his split from Girls Aloud star Cheryl affected him

+19
View gallery

The pair having first met on The X Factor when she was a judge, and amid their whirlwind romnace in March 2017, the couple announced the birth of their son Bear

Liam’s battles continued and in July 2023, he posted a video about spending 100 days in a rehab facility in Louisiana, telling fans he was celebrating six months of sobriety.

He said: ‘I just kind of feel like I’ve got more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me, I just feel like I’ve got more of a handle on it.

‘I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually because I kind of became somebody who I didn’t really recognise anymore and I’m sure you guys didn’t either. I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work.’

Liam said he hit ‘rock bottom’ after appearing on Logan Paul’s podcast back in June 2022, and apologised for taking his anger out on everybody else.

Liam thanked his son and his ex-girlfriend Cheryl for supporting his decision to get better. He added that his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik had ‘stuck by me’ and ‘came to my rescue’.

Discussing the infamous podcast, Liam said he ‘came across really big-headed’ and that ‘it was hard for me to watch back’ but that in a way it had ‘saved my life’ by causing him to seek help.

+19
View gallery

In 2023, he posted a video about spending 100 days in a rehab facility in Louisiana, telling fans he was celebrating six months of sobriety

He explained how it was when he attended a Hans Zimmer concert in January 2023 that he was inspited to give up drinking.

‘I watching this beautiful symphony, I was having a drink, and I thought, ‘You know what? This isn’t really serving me at all. I don’t really need this right now.’ ‘

‘It’s the first time I’ve ever put a drink down and gone to someone else, ‘You finish this, I don’t need this right now.’ And I haven’t picked one up since, which has almost been six months, which I’m excited about.’

‘It’s good. It’s good to be in this position,’ he added. ‘I definitely don’t need those things anymore. The party’s over.’

Despite his July 2023 pledge to continue his sobriety, fans feared for the singer’s health following a string of worrying signs that his life once again had spiralled out of control.

In August last year Liam’s followers shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection.

Following the news about his condition, his mother Karen shared that she felt ‘helpless’ and was ‘worried sick’.

She told MailOnline at the time: ‘We are all worried sick about it but we just have to get on. It’s horrible – him being all the way over there.

‘All we can really do is sit it out here and hope for the best. There is nothing we can do. We feel helpless.’

Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’.

+19
View gallery

Last year, Liam’s followers shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection

+19
View gallery

Last year Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic

He shared a candid Instagram post to his Story in which he said he was having a tough day and family and friends could see he was still struggling.

Liam described ‘manic’ instances in his life and his difficulty in staying sober during ‘super low’ moments.

In the clip he admitted to having filmed the video numerous times before deleting it, before finally deciding this was the right time to share his story with his fans.

‘I know in my last video I mentioned I’d been diagnosed with a couple of conditions and I will not to go into too much detail, but one of them I have is, there’s a lot of manic things in my life which you guys saw,’ he said.

He continued: ‘But the other side of it is and that kind of feels like when when I would lose my sobriety in these moments that were super low and I felt like that today.

‘And it’s isolating the two things and seeing them separately and like I know what they are now’.

‘Luckily I have some amazing people around me that kind of look after me but I am sure they can see it in me too that I’m ‘not really here.”’

Liam Payne‘s fans feared for the singer’s health in the years leading up to his shock death following a string of worrying signs that his life had spiralled out of control.

The singer, who has died age 31, was reported to be acting ‘erratically’ hours before his death and the star’s inner circle were recently said to be fearful for his welfare.

The star’s loyal fan base have also raised their concerns for the troubled star, following a series of concerning displays including an erratic red carpet appearance, shock hospitalisation, cancelled gigs and rambling videos.

Fans of the One Direction star had noted Liam’s bizarre behaviour during recent appearances, which included attending his former bandmate’s concert in Argentina just days ago where he was asked to stop dancing by a security guard.

Another worrying video shows Liam looking strained as he greeted fans, signing autographs and singing his song Familiar, as critics commented on the clip that he looked ‘out of it’.

+48
View gallery

Liam Payne ‘s fans feared for the singer’s health in the years leading up to his shock death following a string of worrying signs that his life had spiralled out of control

+48
View gallery

In recent years, the singer has suffered a series of bizarre onscreen appearances, most famously, a strange interview after the 2022 Academy Awards when he was asked about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage

WORRYING CLIPS DAYS BEFORE DEATH

Just days before his death, Liam was filmed at Niall’s concert dancing erratically and being spoken to by a security guard as he gesticulated wildly in his private box.

The video, which has been widely shared on TikTok, shows Liam performing to fans in front of him at the concert before being spoken to the guard.

Liam was leading a macarena routine before the gig started, but worried fans noted how the guard was trying to ‘move him on’.

Fans have now called his behaviour a sad cry for help by the star.

One user in the comments section wrote: ‘This was a cry for help I’m sure of it,’ while another agreed and replied: ‘Finally now people are saying this but it’s too late.’

Another social media clip shows Liam greeting fans in Argentina, singing songs and singing autographs for them.

However, it didn’t go unnoticed by social media sleuths that Liam appeared out of sorts during the appearance as they voiced their fears for the star.

In the comments section of the post, fans shared their sadness that the ‘signs were there’ before Liam’s untimely passing.

They said: ‘Bruh the signs were there’; ‘He looks so sad inside, but you all  make him feel so loved and appreciated’; ‘Imagine meeting him on the day before he passes away, I’m sobbing’; and ‘You can literally see the sadness, the pain and depression in his eyes. Reminds me of my friend before she passed away.’

+48
View gallery

Just days before his death, Liam was filmed at Niall’s dancing erratically and being spoken to by a security guard as he gesticulate wildly in his private box

+48
View gallery

+48
View gallery

The video, which has been widely shared on TikTok, shows Liam performing to fans in front of him at the concert before being spoken to the guard

+48
View gallery

Another social media clip shows Liam greeting fans in Argentina, singing songs and singing autographs for them

RAMBLING VIDEO

Earlier this month, Liam shared a bizarre video on his Snapchat, where he claimed he and his One Direction bandmate Niall ‘needed to talk’.

Sharing a video from bed, Liam spoke about how he was going to see Niall in concert in Argentina, saying: ‘Niall Horan’s playing down there and I think we might just go and say ‘Elloooo!’.

He continued: ‘No bad vibes or anything like that, but we need to talk!’

Commenting on the video, one fan said: ‘Is he okay? Like genuinely?’

This one was concerned: ‘I hope Liam has people who care about him around him.’

A source said to The Sun: ‘Liam’s behaviour has been concerning many in his inner circle for months. For a while things seemed to be looking up for him but over the past year there are fears he is spiralling.

‘He’s no longer around some of his old friends as he’s relocated to America to start a new life out there.’

‘Everyone wants the best for him but things are erratic to say the least.’

Liam Payne claims he and One Direction bandmate Niall ‘need to talk’

Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:00

Previous

Play

Skip

Mute

Current Time0:00

/

Duration Time0:58

Fullscreen

Need Text

+48
View gallery

Liam shared a bizarre video on his Snapchat , where he claimed he and his One Direction bandmate Niall ‘needed to talk

CANCELLED GIGS AFTER BEING HOSPITALISED

Last year, Liam’s fans shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection.

He shared the news with his followers in an Instagram video, after being ordered to ‘rest and recover’ by doctors.

Captioning the post, Liam wrote: ‘It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you that we have no other choice but to postpone my upcoming tour of South America.

‘Over the past week I’ve been in hospital with a serious kidney infection, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and doctors orders are that I now need to rest and recover.

‘I was beyond excited to come play for you guys. To all of you who have bought tickets: I’m so sorry.

+48
View gallery

Last year, Liam’s fans shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection

+48
View gallery

Sad news: The One Direction star shared the news with his followers in an Instagram video on Friday, after being ordered to ‘rest and recover’ by doctors

‘We’re working to re-schedule the tour as soon as we possibly can, but for now we will be refunding the tickets – so please look out for updates from your point of purchase.

‘Thanks as always for the love and support, and look forward to seeing you soon.’

Sharing a video to announce the news, Liam added: ‘This really is the last news I want to be telling you but basically I’ve been a little bit unwell recently.

‘I ended up in hospital with a bad kidney infection. We started rehearsals and I’ve been advised that now is really not the right time to be travelling on the road while I recover from this.

‘I’ve got the best people around me at home trying to help me recover as we speak, but yeah we’re gonna have to reschedule the tour.’

Following the news about his condition, his mother Karen shared that she felt ‘helpless’ and was ‘worried sick’.

She told MailOnline at the time: ‘We are all worried sick about it but we just have to get on. It’s horrible – him being all the way over there.

‘He’s in Milan and it sounds like he’ll be there for a week. I feel helpless.’

She continued: ‘All we can really do is sit it out here and hope for the best. There is nothing we can do. We feel helpless.’

Karen added that it was ‘such a horrible situation’ and that she hopes he’s in the best place for treatment.

ERRATIC RED CARPET DISPLAY

In recent years, the singer has suffered a series of bizarre onscreen appearances,  most famously, a strange interview after the 2022 Academy Awards when he was asked about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage.

He was speaking live from the red carpet at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s annual Academy Awards viewing party at West Hollywood Park where he defended his friend Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock earlier in the night.

However, the exchange left viewers scratching their heads when he debuted a ‘valley’ twang – before admitting he hadn’t even been on US soil for two years.

In a video posted to Twitter only six days prior to promote Unicef’s Soccer Aid, the Night Changes hitmaker speaks with a notably British accent.

Weighing in on the controversy, Liam claimed how there had been ‘three losers in one fight’, adding, ‘He had the right to do what he did’.

He also reminisced on his friendship with the two men, revealing that Will had been his neighbour and claiming he had known Chris since he was a teenager.

Not only did his words confuse viewers as his analysis of the situation was broadcast on UK morning television; but his accent too.

Viewers at home rushed to their keyboards to share their surprise at Liam’s twang, writing, ‘OMG what is this accent? Sort it out Liam, cringe [laughing emoji].’

‘What’s with the accent and what was he actually saying? Rambling word salad.’

‘The Accent Police are out in full force over this clip.’

The clip quickly generated just as much interest as the onstage slap itself as Liam found himself at the centre of an internet storm.

He later clarified he’d had ‘a lot to drink’ on the night in question; but added he is a ‘social chameleon’ whose accent is ‘ever-changing’ depending on who he is around, before insisting he is normally ‘good at accents’.

INTERVIEW BACKLASH

During the interview on the Impaulsive first recorded in the summer of 2022, Liam again worried fans when he took aim at his former bandmate Zayn Malik, causing enough backlash he revealed he did not leave his home for three months.

He suggested his solo career had been the most successful of all the band members and also claimed One Direction was formed around him in the first place.

When asked for his thoughts about Zayn, Liam branded him a ‘d***’ and discussed a post by Malik’s then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid about how her partner was ‘respectful’.

The comment has been interpreted by fans as a reference to the allegation that Gigi’s mother Yolanda Hadid made last year, that Zayn had shoved her into a dresser and called her a ‘f***ing Dutch sl*t’.

+48
View gallery

During the interview on the Impaulsive first recorded in the summer of 2022, Liam again worried fans when he took aim at his former bandmate Zayn Malik, causing enough backlash he revealed he did not leave his home for three months

Liam continued to talk about Zayn, saying there were ‘many reasons why I dislike Zayn’ but that he will ‘always be on his side’ because of Zayn’s alleged tough upbringing.

He said: ‘There’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side.

‘If I had had to go through what he went through, through his growth and whatever else. You know are your parents very supportive?

‘My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times and they don’t even mind me saying that. And Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense.’

Although he appeared to claim he had sympathy with Zayn and cared for the ex-One Direction member, he received enormous backlash from fans over his comments.

The criticism was so fierce that Liam tweeted a public apology to Zayn later that year, saying he had a ‘chip on my shoulder’ and ‘took it out on everyone else’.

He added that he ‘loves my boys’ appearing to refer to the One Direction members – Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn and Louis.

Liam said that the criticism had led to things going ‘quite dark’ for him and that he didn’t leave his house for three months, but that he was able to laugh at the jokes.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

In July 2023, Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’.

He shared a candid Instagram post to his Story in which he said he was having a tough day and family and friends could see he was still struggling.

Liam described ‘manic’ instances in his life and his difficulty in staying sober during ‘super low’ moments.

In the clip he admitted to having filmed the video numerous times before deleting it, before finally deciding this was the right time to share his story with his fans.

He said: ‘So I mean I filmed a bunch for theses over time and deleted them but I don’t know whether this is the right time.’

‘I know in my last video I mentioned I’d been diagnosed with a couple of conditions and I will not to go into too much detail, but one of them I have is, there’s a lot of manic things in my life which you guys saw.’

+48
View gallery

In July 2023, Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’

He continued: ‘But the other side of it is and that kind of feels like when when I would lose my sobriety in these moments that were super low and I felt like that today.

‘And it’s isolating the two things and seeing them separately and like I know what they are now’.

‘Luckily I have some amazing people around me that kind of look after me but I am sure they can see it in me too that I’m ‘not really here.”’

He captioned the clip: ‘I’ve filmed this same video about 20 times at different points this year and got too scared to put it out by talking myself out of it’.

‘I’m coming to see how fortunate I am to be in the position I’m in… and I wanna give any of you struggling the gift I was given by sharing some of the things I learned form specialists whilst I was away’.

‘First thing I did everyday was check in and its important you don’t bottle up how you feel. Feeling is one of the amazing gifts we had and I blocked things up so long it made me sick and lash out… notice it, allow it to happen and let it pass through. I hope this helps,’ he concluded.

It wasn’t the first time Liam had been candid about his mental health struggles after previously opening up in 2019 about battling suicidal thoughts.

At the time he claimed he was ‘lucky to still be here’.

+48
View gallery

It wasn’t the first time Liam had been candid about his mental health struggles after previously opening up in 2019 about battling suicidal thoughts

+48
View gallery

He appeared on Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he opened up about his mental health and fame

Who is Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy? A look into the One Direction singer’s love after shock death

Liam Payne‘s shocking death at 31 has put the spotlight on his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

The influencer, 25, was pictured with the late One Direction singer in his final Snapchat post, which was shared just minutes before his tragic death after falling from his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at around 5pm local time on Wednesday.

Payne and Cassidy had been an inseparable couple for around two years before his story came to a shocking end.

Despite some bumps along the road, the two appear to have been together until Payne’s final moments.

Now DailyMail.com takes a look at Payne’s final girlfriend Kate Cassidy as his song ends on a minor key.

+48
View gallery

Liam Payne’s shocking death at 31 has put the spotlight on his girlfriend of two years, Kate Cassidy; pictured together in January 2023 in Dubai

+48
View gallery

DailyMail.com takes a look at the influencer after she was featured in Payne’s final Snapchat post sent out just minutes before he died from a fall at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday — though the image was a repost of a photo from 2023

She has her own career as an influencer

Cassidy was prepared for the spotlight that her romance with Liam brought thanks to her own career as an influencer and social media star.

Cassidy, who was born in New Jersey, had prepared for a career by attending Coastal Carolina University, which she graduated from in 2021.

She later relocated to London, but the globetrotting beauty regularly treated her 109K Instagram followers to stunning views of her trips across the world.

She has posted herself in sizzling outfits at Italy’s Lake Como, in Milan, Paris, St. Tropez, Rome and Spain, among other glamorous locales.

Last year, the two made a show-stopping appearance together at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

Liam also occasionally joined his girlfriend on her Instagram page, though he was a rare sight.

Her new profile also put her in the orbit of other stars aside from her famous boyfriend, including the model and reality star Kendall Jenner.

+48
View gallery

Cassidy was prepared for the spotlight that her romance with Liam brought thanks to her own career as an influencer and social media star

+48
View gallery

Cassidy, who was born in New Jersey, had prepared for a career by attending Coastal Carolina University, which she graduated from in 2021

+48
View gallery

She later relocated to London and started a career as an influencer. Her 109K Instagram followers got a taste of her trips to Italy’s Lake Como, Milan, Paris, St. Tropez, Rome and Spain, among other glamorous locales

How did she meet Liam?

Cassidy recounted the story of how they met in a video shared less than a month before his death.

In a TikTok video uploaded on September 20, New Jersey native Cassidy recounted how she and Liam met and how their relationship almost never happened at all.

The pair began dating in October 2022 after they met at a bar in Charleston, South Carolina where Cassidy worked as a waitress at the time.

However, in her video, Cassidy told her followers how their meeting almost never happened as she had desperately tried to get off work that evening.

She said: ‘I worked at this bar/lounge place called Ritual. Me and all my friends worked there, it was only my second week at work and I didn’t want to work every weekend.

‘They put me on schedule for week two and I really wanted to get off. I tried everything in my power to get off and nothing worked out.

‘On the way to work my manager texted me and was like “Liam Payne from One Direction is here, you’re going to be taking care of him tonight.” ‘

Cassidy admitted she was ‘freaking out’ when she had to approach Liam’s table and ended up chickening out at first.

+48
View gallery

Cassidy recounted the story of how they met in a video shared less than a month before his death

+48
View gallery

+48
View gallery

In a TikTok video uploaded on September 20, New Jersey native Cassidy recounted how she and Liam met and how their relationship almost never happened at all

She said: ‘When I first approached him, I got nervous and stopped and turned around. I guess we made awkward eye contact for a second.

‘We talk about it because he said to [his friend] Conor, “Oh my God, did you see that girl walking over here? I’m not leaving this bar until I get her number.”

‘Then two minutes later I come back around. He was like, “is there anyway I can get a table inside?” He’s literally sitting inside drinking Red Bulls and I didn’t think anything of it, I just thought he was overly friendly, I didn’t think he was flirting with me.’

Cassidy told how everytime she approached his table, Liam offered her to sit down with him and soon asked for her number.

She said: ‘Everytime I came to the table to check up on him, he’d be like sit down! I have family in London and I was like, “Oh I’m going to London to see my cousin” and he was like, “I’d love to be your tour guide when you come.” I was like, OK I’m picking up the sense that you’re flirting with me.

‘He asked for my number and I didn’t realise you had to put the +1 because I’m from America. I just my area code, the 201 and he tried texting me and it kept going green, not delivered.

‘He thought I’d put the wrong number in as in like, not interested. I was freaking out all night and then he realised I forgot to put the +1 and it went through.’

They suffered another mishap later that evening as Cassidy’s phone died when she went to bed and Liam thought she had blocked his number.

She recalled: ‘That night, I actually didn’t plug my phone in before bed so when I woke up in the morning it was dead. Once he finally got the number to go through, he thought I blocked him because it didn’t say delivered.

‘The next morning I texted him and was like so sorry for getting back to you so late, what time is your flight back to England? He was like, before I leave for the airport I can come see you for lunch.

‘We went for lunch which went really well and then went bowling and then went on a ghost tour, we basically had one of our first dates in a graveyard.

‘He extended his flight and then extended it again the next day so he ended up in Charleston for three days. That’s the story of how we met.

‘Literally, everything happens for a meeting. Don’t get off work because you want to go to a party because you never know, you could end up meeting your future husband.’

She and Liam began their romance in October 2022

The former One Direction member’s death came just around two years after he and Cassidy began their relationship.

DailyMail.com published photos of the two together for the first time.

They appeared to be having a great time for Halloween festivities in which she dressed up for the big night as Pamela Anderson, while Payne showed off a bevy of tattoos in a white tank top to transform into her rocker ex-husband Tommy Lee.

Cassidy made it clear she was ready to go Instagram official with the pop superstar when she also posted a photo of their costume on Instagram.

Payne was moving on with the blond bombshell just six months after the tumultuous end of his engagement to Maya Henry.

Earlier this year, amid Payne’s relationship with Cassidy, Henry reignited their conflicts when she published a novel with thinly veiled characters appearing to stand in for herself and her ex, with his book avatar urging the female lead to get an abortion after she got pregnant.

Then, just two days before his death, Henry sent a cease-and-desist letter to Payne to prevent his alleged attempts to repeatedly contact her. She also accused him of ‘weaponizing’ his fans against her in the missive.

A month after Payne and Cassidy made their public debut, they made it clear that the relationship was serious when he appeared again on her Instagram in a post documenting her trip to Rome.

Although they had been coy about their relationship, two came together for a hug in the post.

+48
View gallery

Last year, Cassidy and Payne made a show-stopping appearance at Wimbledon in London

+48
View gallery

Payne and Cassidy were first pictured together on Halloween in photos published by DailyMail.com. They dressed as Pamela Anderson and her ex-husband Tommy Lee

+48
View gallery

A month after Payne and Cassidy made their public debut, they made it clear that the relationship was serious when he appeared again on her Instagram in a post documenting her trip to Rome

Liam and Kate make red-carpet debut in December 2022 — and he defends his love

Two months after they were first linked and went Instagram official, Cassidy and the singing heartthrob celebrated another milestone by going red-carpet official.

They were on Payne’s home turf in London to attend the British Fashion Awards.

He looked stylish in a black suit with peaked lapels and a slim matching tie, and he added a dashing air with some designer stubble over his chiseled jaw.

Cassidy complemented the singer–songwriter with an eye-catching black dress featuring a sky-high slit and diamond-shaped cutouts over her toned midriff.

Her boyfriend showed how crazy he was for her when he commented on her Instagram post from the evening, writing: ‘Who is that lucky lucky dashing young man next to you. nah seriously you look fantastic I coulda just told you that as your on the sofa next to me but you know tech and phones n stuff.’

The red carpet appearance seems to have set off some fans who feared that Cassidy was only interested in Payne for his money after his massive success as part of One Direction.

+48
View gallery

Two months after they were first linked and went Instagram official, Cassidy and the singing heartthrob celebrated another milestone by going red-carpet official at the British Fashion Awards in London in December 2022 (pictured)

They attend One Direction pal Louis Tomlinson’s documentary 

Payne even went so far as to integrate his new love into his life as a former One Direction member.

The boy band member–turned–solo artist posed with the influencer on the red carpet of the UK premiere of the documentary All Of Those Voices.

The film charted the path of Liam’s friend and former colleague Louis Tomlinson, from his days with him as part of One Direction through his early years trying to establish himself as a solo artist.

Cassidy posted a photo of the two in the red-carpet outfits to her Instagram account, adding in her caption: ‘What a crazy eye opening experience!’

She added that it was ‘so nice to meet [Tomlinson] finally.’

+48
View gallery

Payne even went so far as to integrate his new love into his life as a former One Direction member when they attended the premiere in March 2023 of a documentary about his ex-bandmate Louis Tomlinson

The couple weather break-up rumors

In May of 2023, Payne and Cassidy were reported to have broken up.

Rumors of a split had been swirling after the two hadn’t been pictured together since April.

A source told The Sun at the time that Payne was more focused on his music, and Cassidy had allegedly moved out and gone back home to the US.

But in June, the two were pictured together holding hands, signaling that they were back together.

They were spotted leaving Chiltern Firehouse in London after attending Annabel’s 60th Anniversary Party together.

+48
View gallery

In May of 2023, Payne and Cassidy were reported to have broken up. A source told The Sun he was focused on his music while she had move out and gone back to the US; seen in February 2023 in London

+48
View gallery

But in June, the two were pictured together holding hands at Chiltern Firehouse in London after attending Annabel’s 60th Anniversary Party together (pictured)

Together in his final days

Although the nature of Payne’s tragic death from a multi-story fall and what led up to it are not yet known, Cassidy was with him in his final days.

On Snapchat, he appeared to have documented the couple’s trip to Argentina, and in a rush of Snapchat posts just minutes before his death, he noted that the couple had been ‘waking up at 1pm everyday.’

He also posted a somber shot of himself, which he captioned: ‘Lovely day in Argentina ❤️.’

Significantly, Cassidy appeared with Payne in his final post, but the photo was not new.

Instead, it had previously appeared on Kate’s Instagram on August 29, 2023, in a carousel celebrating her boyfriend’s 30th birthday.

It’s still unclear if the throwback photo held special significance for Payne, but it ended up being the final image he shared with his fans before his untimely death.

+48
View gallery

Although the nature of Payne’s tragic death from a multi-story fall and what led up to it are not yet known, Cassidy appears to have been with him in his final days on a trip to Argentina

+48
View gallery

In a rush of posts just minutes before his death, he said it was ‘A lovely day in Argentina’ and revealed the two had ‘been waking up at 1pm everyday’ on the trip

+48
View gallery

His haunting final post was a photo of himself with a bikini-clad Cassidy as they posed for a mirror selfie. But the photo was more than a year old

Kate leaves Liam in Argentina

Cassidy had left the singer in Argentina to return to the US just two days before his death.

Cassidy shared a video on TikTok revealing that she was flying back to her home in Florida after spending two weeks with Payne in Argentina.

She added that she had originally planned to stay in Argentina for ‘five days,’ and she was ‘so ready to leave.’

‘I was just like, I need to go home,’ she said in the video, which documented her flight back to the US.

Kate and Liam flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan‘s concert on October 4, and he remained in the country after his girlfriend flew home.

+48
View gallery

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy had left the singer in Argentina to return to the US just two days before his death

+48
View gallery

On Monday, Kate had shared a video on TikTok revealing that she was flying back to her home in Florida after spending two weeks with Liam in Argentina

+48
View gallery

Kate and Liam originally flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan ‘s concert on October 4, and he remained in the country after his girlfriend flew home

Liam said ‘Kate makes me happy to be me’

Payne defended his waitress girlfriend from accusations she was only with him for his money and said she made him ‘happy to be me’ and that he had ‘never felt a love like this before’.

In a 2023 TikTok video, she explained: ‘I am the best manifester, and I’m going to show you why.’

Holding up a popsicle stick with a drawing of a brunette man in a white shirt and jeans, labelled Liam, she explained: ‘I drew this when I was 10 years old.’

In the early days of their romance, however, it seemed not everyone was convinced about the relationship, and one fan even sent Liam a DM warning him that Kate was after his cash.

+48
View gallery

Holding up a popsicle stick with a drawing of a brunette man in a white shirt and jeans, labelled ‘Liam, she explained: ‘I drew this when I was 10 years old’

Liam responded by screenshotting the message and putting it on his Instagram Stories and gushing over his new romance.

He said: ‘Gotta say you could tell me anything and I couldn’t be turned, I’ve never felt a love like I do for Katelyn. We make each other better people.’

Defending her against the gold digger accusations, he said: ‘If it was just for the money I’d give her all of it.

‘It’s not though (please remember I’m hella sexy) and I know I’m fun and a loveable person.

‘And I don’t give a f**k to say that for the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.’

Cassidy ‘loves the simple things’ in their relationship

+48
View gallery

Just days before the shocking death, Liam’s model girlfriend shared a touching post, dedicated to the star

Cassidy shared a heartfelt message telling the singer she ‘loved the simple things’ just days before his tragic death.

Just days before the death, his model girlfriend shared a touching post, dedicated to the star.

The blonde beauty took a snap of the popstar riding horseback in the countryside The Sun reports.

Payne could be seen wearing a casual grey T-shirt as he sat on the horse and spoketo someone who appeared to be helping him.

Over the picture, Kate wrote: ‘I am very grateful for the simple things in life’.

Amid all the splendour and pageantry of a state visit this week, King Charles and Japan‘s Emperor Naruhito will reignite a friendship forged over fly-fishing and barbecues at Balmoral.

It will be a chance to catch up and help promote the relationship between their two modern countries and perhaps compare notes on how their two ancient but ‘slimmed-down’ monarchies operate in the 21st century.

The two men bonded back in 1984 when Naruhito, the grandson of the then Emperor Hirohito, was a student at Oxford and spent a few days at the Royal Family‘s Highland retreat.

‘The Queen drove me around and invited me to a barbecue at a building in the grounds and Prince Philip personally guided me around the grounds in a horse-drawn carriage,’ Naruhito said last week. ‘These remain very cherished and nostalgic memories for me.’

Naruhito, 64, and Empress Masako, 60, have been staying at Claridge’s in Mayfair after arriving on Saturday. The official visit begins from lunchtime today and lasts until Thursday morning.

The couple will receive all the normal fanfare of a state visit – a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards, lunch and a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace, and a trip to Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior.

But although Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will attend the state banquet, there will be no traditional visit to Downing Street or Parliament for the imperial couple because of the election campaign.

+26

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan arrive for a state visit to the United Kingdom at Stansted Airport on June 22, 2024

+26

Prince Naruhito, Princess of Wales, Princess Diana and Prince of Wales, Prince Charles are seen at the Shugakuin Imperial Villa on May 9, 1986 in Kyoto

+26

Prince Charles And Crown Prince Naruhito Of Japan attending The Japanese Exhibition Matsuri Japan in Hyde Park. They are laughing while watching traditional Japanese dancing.

+26

The menu for the state banquet on Tuesday evening. Guests were served delicacies including poached Scottish langoustines, Cornish turbot and quail eggs

At a news conference last week, Naruhito also recalled Charles teaching him to fly-fish in the River Dee beside Balmoral Castle.

‘The [then] Prince of Wales carefully taught me how to put on a hair hook and how to throw it,’ he said.

‘We both put on waders and went into the river, where we saw big fish jumping nearby, but neither of us caught anything.’

He described how Queen Elizabeth invited him to tea at Buckingham Palace two days after he arrived in the UK as a postgraduate student at Merton College, Oxford, in 1983.

‘In a relaxed atmosphere, the Queen herself poured the tea, and we enjoyed a pleasant time together,’ he said.

‘I remember that the Queen shared stories about her visit to Japan and inquired about my upcoming life in the UK.’

Naruhito – who became Emperor in May 2019 after his father Akihito abdicated at the age of 85 arguing declining health meant he could no longer fulfil his duties – has met Charles and other members of the family several times since.

He has never forgotten the welcome he was given, particularly during that stay at Balmoral.

‘I fondly recall the heartwarming hospitality I received from the Queen and other members of the British Royal Family, who treated me as if I were part of their family,’ he said.

The 126th monarch to occupy the Chrysanthemum Throne – the world’s oldest continuous hereditary monarchy – and his Empress (who also studied at Oxford) will be reliving some of the happiest days of their lives during their stay in Britain.

+26

Naruhito was a student at Oxford between 1983 and 1986. Above: Naruhito in Oxford next to his bicycle, 1985

+26

The Duke of Edinburgh took Naruhito around Balmoral in January 1985 for what was in effect a tutorial in ecology and his first experience of British wild life

+26

Prince Charles fishing on the River Dee, in Ballater, near Balmoral Estate, on May 3, 1992

+26

King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, arrives for Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, October 2019

+26

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the ‘Kyoen-no-Gi’ banquet celebrating their enthronement at the Imperial Palace

Other parts of the programme outside the official state visit include the Emperor going to Kew Gardens on Thursday, when he will also make a private visit to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, to lay a wreath at the tomb of Elizabeth II.

He and his wife will also see a Japanese exhibition at the Young V&A museum in London’s East End on the same day.

On Friday, their last day in the UK, they will return to their old colleges at Oxford.

Between 1983 and 1986 Naruhito studied 18th century commerce on the River Thames as a postgraduate.

Empress Masako, by then a young diplomat, studied international relations at Balliol College between 1988 and 1990.

He and Masako, who met in 1986, both did a bit of rowing and played other sports while at Oxford and developed a love of the historic city – particularly Christ Church Meadow – and the Cotswolds while there.

But for unexplained reasons, Masako did not complete her thesis before returning to Japan and it has not been plain sailing for her or the imperial family since.

She and Naruhito have a daughter, Princess Aiko, 22, but under Japanese law women cannot inherit the throne and the pressure to produce a male heir has been blamed for a stress-related illness that has led to her periodic absences – once for 11 years – from public life.

Her doctors have said she is not fully recovered and Masako, like Queen Camilla, still struggles at times with foreign travel.

She will be pacing herself on this trip, sitting out many of her husband’s engagements.

Japan’s monarchy, like Britain’s, has faced turmoil in recent years and is grappling with running as a slimmed-down entity.

The immediate succession crisis was resolved in 2006 when the Emperor’s younger brother and heir, Fumihito, now 58, had a son, Hisahito, in 2006.

But there is still a shortage of males and the women in the family lose their royal status when they marry commoners.

In 2021, Fumihito’s daughter Mako became the latest in a succession of princesses to lose her title when she wed a commoner.

It has led to a shortage of working royals in Japan.

Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, believes there is much for both monarchs to compare and contrast this week.

‘I think they are both grappling with, in a sense, the weight of history,’ he said.

‘I think there is a lesson for the British monarchy about being too small a royal family,’ he added, pointing to the sharp drop in official UK royal engagements since the deaths of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and the departures of Harry and Meghan and Andrew as working royals.

And this year of course has seen both the King and the Princess of Wales take time out to undergo cancer treatment.

Other working royals such as the Duke of Kent, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Alexandra, are well past official retirement age.

‘We have this 10-year gap before George, Charlotte, and Louis come on stream,’ Dr Prescott said.

Dr Prescott, who is writing a book on modern monarchy, agreed that King Charles was unlikely to call up younger relatives such as Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and others to be official taxpayer-funded working royals to fill the gap.

But we might see more examples of them attending palace garden parties and other events and promoting their own charities to bolster the numbers and royal presence at times, he believes.

A joke for every banquet: King Charles’ witty cultural references

+26

Prince Naruhito poses for photographs on October 30, 1985 in Oxford

+26

Crown Prince Naruhito chats with friend Keith George at Merton College, Oxford, December 1983

+26

Prince Naruhito is seen while studying at Merton College of the Oxford University circa March 1985

+26

Prince Naruhito plays the violin with fellow students at Oxford, February 22, 1984

+26

Prince Charles and Camilla stand between the then Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako in Tokyo, 2008

+26

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito views the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II inside Westminster Hall, 2022

+26

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako walking into Westminster Abbey on the day of the Queen’s state funeral

Britain changed its antiquated succession laws in 2013 to ensure that girls from then on enjoyed the same rights as boys, instead of older daughters such as Princess Anne having to sit behind their younger brothers in the line to the throne.

But Japanese conservatives are still opposed to women inheriting the throne.

Dr Prescott believes there will have to be consensus in public opinion before the monarchy in Japan can move on.

‘It’s a question that is about Japanese society as a whole,’ he said.

Where he thinks the British might eventually want to learn from Japan is the idea that a monarch can abdicate if they are too old or infirm to perform their duties.

It was anathema to Queen Elizabeth because of the crisis provoked by her uncle Edward VIII’s Abdication in 1936, but in a world where only at the weekend Grand Duke Henri, 69, the head of state of Luxembourg, paved the way for his son and heir Guillaume, 42, to take over his duties, will that always be the case for 75-year-old King Charles?

Naruhito’s father, now 90, became the first Japanese Emperor to abdicate since 1817.

‘It’s not that it was thought impossible but it was unthinkable for a Japanese Emperor to abdicate,’ Dr Prescott said.

Last week, Naruhito acknowledged some of the problems his monarchy faced before he left for the UK. But he avoided suggesting any solutions.

He said: ‘Currently, there is a declining number of male Imperial Family members and an aging population.

+26

 Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Stansted airport on Saturday afternoon, with members of the RAF and UK officials on hand to greet them

+26

The couple were due to come to the UK on an official state visit in 2020 – but their plans were put on hold by the pandemic

+26

Empress Masako, 60, looked elegant in a powder blue suit with white lapels and a coordinated hat

+26

The couple, who both studied at Oxford University as students, looked delighted to finally be on UK soil

+26

The Japanese Emperor said this week that the late Queen treated him ‘like family’ when he was a young student in the UK

+26

Queen Elizabeth escorts Naruhito through the Great Hall in Windsor Castle, 2001

+26

The then Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles watch an exhibit after the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival 1991 at the Victoria & Albert Museum

+26

Naruhito walks through Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2001

+26

The then Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles attend the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1991

‘Female members of the Imperial Family lose their imperial status upon marriage, leading to a decrease in the number of royals able to engage in public activities compared to before.

‘This is a matter that relates to the future of the Imperial Family, but I would prefer to refrain from commenting on institutional matters.’

Instead this week he will focus on the job of showcasing closer trade and defence ties between his country and Britain.

The state visit was originally scheduled for 2020 when the UK and Japan signed a post-Brexit free trade agreement but had to be postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A former Palace press secretary has opened up about Princess Diana‘s 5am crisis call and the advice he gave her after Andrew Morton’s biography was published.

Dickie Arbiter, 83, worked for the Royal Family from 1988 to 2000 and served the late Queen, King Charles and Princess Diana.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the royal expert explained how he was sent to Charing Cross station on the day the bombshell book Diana: Her True Story was published to pick up the morning newspapers and said he was ‘gobsmacked’ by what the Princess had said.

In the book, which sold more than five million copies that year, Diana detailed her mental health struggles and the breakdown of her marriage to King Charles.

The expert recalled how the late Princess of Wales had been anxious of the press coverage of the book.

+4

Pictured: The late Princess of Wales seen breaking down in tears as she leaves Ashworth Hospice in Liverpool in June 1992, days after Andrew Morton’s biography was published

Dickie said: ‘Diana called me at 5am asking what she should do, and I told her it couldn’t be undone now.’

What’s more, Dickie recalled how he told the Princess to keep a low profile ahead of her visit to Ashworth Hospice in Liverpool a couple of days later.

He continued: ‘[I told her to] just to keep schtum, not answer her phone, and I would accompany her on her next engagement two days later to keep people at bay.’

When visiting the Liverpool hospice in June 1992, Princess Diana was visibly distressed and broke down in tears as she returned to her car.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Diana arrived at a nearby hospital half an hour later, where she was greeted by a fan holding a sign reading: ‘We love you Diana.’

The revelations – condemned by many as sensationalist – were so damaging for the royals’ public image that many book shops and supermarkets banned it, totally unaware that Diana was the main source behind the work.

Five months after the book was published, former Prime Minister John Major announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales had formally separated. The couple’s divorce was finalised in 1996.

Elsewhere in the Andrew Norton book, Princess Diana detailed confronting Camilla about her relationship with Charles at her sister’s 40th birthday party.

+4

Dickie Arbiter (pictured in November 2019) has opened up about Princess Diana ‘s 5am crisis call and the advice he gave her after Andrew Morton’s biography was published

+4

In the book (pictured), which sold over five million copies that year, Diana detailed her mental health struggles and the breakdown of her marriage to King Charles

The late royal said: ‘Nobody expected me to turn up to the party [thrown by Lady Annabel Goldsmith in February 1989 for Camilla’s sister’s 40th birthday], but a voice inside me said: “Go for the hell of it.” So I psyched myself up something awful.’

Ahead of time, Diana explained how she had decided to shake Camilla’s hand instead of kissing her on the cheeks, which she dubbed a ‘big step’.

During the party, Diana recalled finding her husband in conversation with Camilla and another man – and detailed how she sent the men away because she ‘wanted to have a word’ with Camilla.

During their conversation, Diana claimed Camilla said to her: ‘You’ve got everything you ever wanted. You’ve got all the men in the world falling in love with you, and you’ve got two beautiful children. What more could you want?’

The late royal claims to have replied: ‘I want my husband […] I’m sorry I’m in the way.

+4

Andrew Morton (pictured in 1992) capitalised on his bestselling work by releasing Diana: Her True Story In Her Own Words just months after her death in 1997

‘I obviously am in the way and it must be hell for both of you, but I do know what is going on. Don’t treat me like an idiot.’

In recordings Diana made for her biographer, the Princess of Wales spoke of her ‘ridiculous’ wedding to Charles in 1981.

Diana said: ‘It was so grown up. Here’s Diana, a kindergarten teacher. I mean the whole thing was ridiculous.’

The biographer capitalised on his bestselling work by releasing Diana: Her True Story In Her Own Words just months after her death in 1997.

The book featured the transcripts of their conversations, officially outing her as the main source.

This was followed by Diana: In Pursuit of Love in 2004, which detailed her affairs with the likes of soldier James Hewitt, heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and property developer Christopher Walley.

A sparkling collection of gowns, accessories, and keepsakes belonging to Princess Diana is set to go under the hammer this week.

The LA-based ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection’ auction is the most extensive collection of Diana’s personal belongings to be sold since 1997, according to Julien’s Auctions.

The former Princess of Wales‘s iconic wardrobe – from her enchanting wedding gown in 1981 to ‘casual street style’ in later years – chronicled her growth and global fame.

A pair of gowns that sold at the 1997 auction, two months before her death, top the upcoming sale on June 27 at The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles.

It is set to feature a stunning Murray Arbeid midnight blue tulle strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 – to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and to a dinner with King Constantine of Greece – and to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987, which has a top estimate of $400,000 (£315,000).

+37

A sparkling collection of gowns, accessories, and keepsakes belonging to Princess Diana is set to go under the hammer this week, including the iconic Murray Arbeid gown. Diana is pictured wearing the gown in 1986

+37

The timeless gown is adorned with twinkling diamanté stars and has a top estimate of $400,000 (£315,000)

+37

Princess Diana paired the midnight gown with pink silk gloves at a party held by former King Constantine of Greece

The timeless gown is adorned with twinkling diamanté stars and fuelled the ‘Di-mania’ sweeping the country, cementing her status as a cultural icon.

Meanwhile a magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which Diana wore in London and Germany in 1987, shares the same ceiling estimate and is another fairytale ballgown.

‘People will know that name because Victor Edelstein also designed the very famous navy blue dress Diana wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985,’ said Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions.

Diana first met Edelstein when she was pregnant with William, and the pair worked together closely as she was often present to help customize the designs to her taste.

Mr Nolan described Diana as a ‘princess of economics,’ wearing gowns numerous times not only for environmental reasons but also to ‘use her celebrity status to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming or new or unknown designers,’ including Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Catherine Walker – all of whom feature in the auction.

Wearing gowns on multiple occasions was then considered a taboo in celebrity culture, but was also intended to compensate for the time making the dress.

The glamorous pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 as well as leaving Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill in 1992, has a top estimate of $200,000 (£158,000).

Largest collection of Princess Diana’s items set to head to auction

+37

+37

A magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which Diana wore in London and Germany (pictured) in 1987 is also up for grabs

+37

A glamorous pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988

+37

Diana also wore the piece by Walker, one of her favourite designers, when taking Prince Harry to school in Notting Hill, 1992

+37

+37

Walker also created the yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit beloved by the Princess and worn on a 1989 visit to Hong Kong (right)

+37

Pictured: Princess Diana visiting the Hong Kong Red Cross in 1989

Walker, one of Diana’s favourite designers, also created the yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit that she wore several times during a 1989 visit to Hong Kong for the opening of the Red Cross and in 1991 at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color Celebrations. The set is estimated to sell at $10,000 (£7,800).

The sale comes after a Jacques Azagury-designed dress worn by Diana in Italy in 1985 set a new world record for the most expensive dress worn by the royal at auction, selling for more than one million dollars in December.

After that auction, Mr Nolan said that ‘the phones were ringing’ as people realised ‘Diana was highly collectable, reaching record prices’.

‘Even one of her friends from school, [one of] her lifelong friends that Diana used to give her shoes, bags and dresses to when she finished with them, she came to us, and she said ‘I’d love to sell these items because I know that Diana would want these items to go to good causes,’ Mr Nolan said.

‘She’s raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, which is a charity that’s very important to her.’

Princess Diana items set to go under the hammer in Los Angeles

+37

Princess Diana was photographed wearing this pair of Rayne two-tone suede and patent leather pumps while attending a luncheon at Ironmonger’s Hall in London as the patron of The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bulosa Research Association on June 24, 1993

+37

Princess Diana attends a luncheon at the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, Ironmonger’s Hall, 1993 – wearing the shoes from the auction

+37

A few eye-catching pieces include a pair of emerald green satin evening shoes by Kurt Geiger with jeweled vamps, which are estimated to sell between $2,000 and $4,000

+37

Diana Princess of Wales at an evening function at the Dorchester Hotel indress designed by fashion designer Catherine Walker – and Kurt Geiger satin evening shoes

+37

Princess Diana 1989 Philip Somerville teal hat is displayed during Julien’s Auctions’ press preview of ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & a Royal Collection’

+37

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana at Victoria Station for the arrival of President Ibrahim Babangida in May 1989

+37

Diana joined the then Prince Charles to wait for the arrival of the Nigerian president for a state visit in 1989 wearing the iconic hat

The upcoming sale, held by California-based Julien’s Auctions, features more than 200 items from members of the royal family.

‘But of course Princess Diana takes centre stage with over 50 items from her life and career, incredible gowns from all her favourite designers, but also very personal handwritten notes and cards,’ Mr Nolan added.

The auction features more than 20 handwritten letters, notes, and holiday cards from Diana, which ‘really speaks to the kindness and concern that Diana had and also tells us she was truly happily married,’ he said.

Many of the letters are penned to Maud Pendrey, a former housekeeper at the Spencer family home at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana grew up.

‘She’s writing to Mrs Pendrey about the honeymoon being a huge success and pregnant with William, and then William was born and then pregnant with Harry and Harry was born,’ Mr Nolan said.

+37

A 1985 Australia Tour attributed Philip Somerville red and cream straw hat worn by Princess Diana

+37

Diana, Princess of Wales visits the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, November 1985

+37

And the auction is not limited to Diana’s couture pieces; her hand-written letters are also being sold

+37

A 1983 signed holiday card from Princess Diana, featuring a picture with King Charles and a young Prince William

+37

Princess Diana’ shoes and purses – just a few of the 200 items on display on June 27

+37

A 29 July 1981 Royal wedding invitation to the wedding of the then Prince Charles and Princess Diana

+37

A collection of gowns featured in Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection, to be held in Beverley Hills this week

‘We sort of forget that she was truly happy in her marriage in those early days, and these letters tell us that, so it’s an important part of our royal history as well.’

Mr Nolan added that Diana is ‘still loved dearly today’ as ‘the mother of the future King of England’.

Julien’s Auctions is the same auctioneer that sold memorabilia from Hugh Hefner and Marilyn Monroe.

The auction, Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection, will be held at The Peninsula Beverly Hills on June 27.

Bidding opens at 10am on the Julien’s Auctions website. A portion of the proceeds will benefit charities fighting muscular dystrophy in the UK.

PRINCESS DIANA ROYAL AUCTION: THE ITEMS FOR SALE

More than 200 items from members of the royal family are going on sale this week at the Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection Auction in LA.

Some of these include:

1987 VICTOR EDELSTEIN DRESS

ESTIMATE: $400,000 (£315,000)

+37

+37

A magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which Diana wore in London and Germany (pictured) in 1987 is also up for grabs

MURRAY ARBIED MIDNIGHT DRESS

ESTIMATE: $400,000 (£315,000)

+37

A Murray Arbied midnight blue tulle strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 and once in 1987

CATHERINE WALKER FLORAL SHIRT DRESS

ESTIMATE: $200,000 (£158,000)

+37

The pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Catherine Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 as well as leaving Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill in 1992

CATHERINE WALKER SHIRT SUIT

ESTIMATE: $10,000 (£7,800)

+37

+37

Walker also created the yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit beloved by the Princess and worn on a 1989 visit to Hong Kong (right)

PALMER/HARDING REVIVAL GOWN

ESTIMATE: $5,000 (£4,000)

+37

A custom-made Princess Diana revival gown by Palmer//Harding based on Diana’s 1985 black velvet and lace trim Catherine Walker gown.

PHILIP SOMERVILLE HATS

BOTH ESTIMATED: $20,000 (£16,000)

+37

A 1985 Australia Tour attributed Philip Somerville red and cream straw hat worn by Princess Diana

+37

A 1989 Sommerville teal hat worn by Princess Diana

RAYNE TWO-TONE PUMPS

ESTIMATE: $6,000 (£4,700) – price including handbag

+37

Princess Diana was photographed wearing this pair of Rayne two-tone suede and patent leather pumps while attending a luncheon at Ironmonger’s Hall in London as the patron of The Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bulosa Research Association on June 24, 1993

KURT GEIGER EMERALD GREEN EVENING SHOES

ESTIMATE: $4,000 (£3,100)

+37

A few eye-catching pieces include a pair of emerald green satin evening shoes by Kurt Geiger with jeweled vamps, which is estimated to sell between $2,000 and $4,000

Nine letters written by Princess Diana in the early years of her doomed marriage to Prince Charles are set to fetch up to £20,000 at auction.

The first letter is dated August 14, 1981, two days after Diana and Charles returned to Balmoral from their two-week honeymoon cruise aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

She told Maud Pendrey, her family’s former housekeeper, how her honeymoon was a ‘tremendous success’ and said she and Charles had a ‘glorious time’.

However, her words contradicted what she later told her voice coach in extracts which were screened in a Channel 4 documentary.

‘On our honeymoon, cufflinks arrive on his wrists,’ she said. ‘Two C’s entwined like the Chanel “C”. Got it. One knew exactly. So, I said: “Camilla gave you those, didn’t she?”

‘He said “Yes, so what’s wrong? They’re a present from a friend.” And boy, did we have a row. Jealousy, total jealousy. And it was such a good idea – the two “C’s – but it wasn’t that clever.”

Other letters to Ms Pendrey reveal Diana’s happiness about motherhood. In one, she described how she wanted ‘masses more’ babies after the birth of Prince William on June 21, 1982.

+11

Nine letters written by Princess Diana in the early years of her marriage to Prince Charles are set to fetch up to £20,000 at auction. Above: Charles and Diana in the grounds of Balmoral during their honeymoon, August 1981

+11

+11

The first letter is dated August 14, 1981, two days after Diana and Charles returned to Balmoral from their two-week honeymoon cruise aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. She told Maud Pendrey, her family’s former housekeeper, how her honeymoon was a ‘tremendous success’ and said she and Charles had a ‘glorious time’

She wrote on September 8 from Balmoral Castle: ‘Enclosed is a picture of an extremely proud and lucky mother and I just wondered if you’d like it!’

In her August 1981 letter, written from Althorp in Northamptonshire, Diana said: ‘I do hope you weren’t too tired after all the wedding activities and that you were able to see a lot from where your seats were,’ she wrote.

‘The honeymoon was a tremendous success, and we had a glorious time catching up on our lost energy and sleep.

‘I just wanted you both to know how deeply touched I am by your thoughtfulness and again a million thanks. Endless love and affection. Diana.’

Author Penny Junor also described in her book The Duchess that Diana’s differences with Charles emerged on their honeymoon.

Whilst the future King envisioned swimming, reading, painting, and writing thank-you letters, Diana had expected to chat.

‘He’d taken along his watercolours, some canvases and a pile of books by the Afrikaner mystic and writer Laurens van der Post, which he’d hoped he and Diana might share and then discuss in the evenings,’ Ms Junor wrote.

+11

+11

Other letters to Ms Pendrey reveal Diana’s happiness about motherhood. In one, she described how she wanted ‘masses more’ babies after the birth of Prince William on June 21, 1982. She wrote on September 8 from Balmoral Castle: ‘Enclosed is a picture of an extremely proud and lucky mother and I just wondered if you’d like it!’

+11

+11

On September 25, 1982, in a thank-you letter, Diana said: ‘We are so thrilled and delighted with your wonderful cardigans

‘Diana, however, was no great reader. She hated his wretched books and was offended that he might prefer to bury his head in one of them rather than sit and talk to her.

‘She resented him sitting for hours at his easel, too, and they had many blazing rows.

‘One day, when Charles was painting on the veranda deck of Britannia, he went off to look at something for half an hour. He came back to find she’d destroyed his painting and all his materials.’

In the September 8 letter, Diana added: ‘William has brought us so much happiness and contentment and consequently I can’t wait for masses more.

‘We are up in Scotland until the end of October which is particularly spoiling but greatly appreciated.’

And, on September 25, in a thank-you letter, she said: ‘We are so thrilled and delighted with your wonderful cardigans.

‘Thank you so much for spoiling William. He doesn’t deserve it! At the rate he is growing, it won’t be long before the cardigans fit!’

Two years later, when pregnant with Prince Harry, she still seemed content, later revealing that she and Charles were closest during her second pregnancy.

‘It was so kind of you both to have remembered us on our wedding anniversary,’ she wrote from Highgrove on July 29.

+11

Charles and Diana after arriving back at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland following their honeymoon, September 1981

+11

+11

On December 24, 1986, Diana wrote to Mrs Pendrey to express her condolences at the loss of her husband. She said: I wanted to write and say how very sad I was to hear about Mr Pendrey’

‘We were enormously touched by your card, and I just wanted to write and say a big thank you.

‘Unlike some married couples, we both remembered the occasion and luckily thought that the three years had flown past!

‘What with the baby arriving soon, our lives seem to be very busy, but we’d have it no other way!’

In another of the letters, Diana revealed her sense of humour and fondness for Ms Pendrey and her butler husband Ainslie.

She wrote: ‘When the helicopter took off from Althorp yesterday, we flew over your house, and I just wondered if you’d seen me waving…’

‘The family seems to be constantly expanding and Sarah’s baby is very sweet with extremely long fingers.

‘I just wanted you both to know that I must have seen one of the Pendreys – I was waving frantically!!’

The final two letters were written after Diana began her affair with James Hewitt, a cavalry officer in the British Army, who became her riding instructor, in 1986.

The first shows her compassionate side: ‘I wanted to write and say how very sad I was to hear about Mr Pendrey,’ she wrote on December 24, after the death of Ainslie.

‘I can only imagine that when something like this happens how empty you must feel.’

The second – written two years later – again showed her good manners.

‘It was so sweet of you to have sent us a lovely card for our anniversary, we were thrilled to bits to get it and very touched by your thoughtfulness,’ she said.

It is now 22 years since the letters first emerged in public.

They were sold for £22,000 by Keys auction house, in Aylsham, Norfolk, to hotelier Michael Rockall, who displayed them at the Whittlebury Hall, in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

‘I think this collection is amazingly exciting and I am overjoyed to have bought it,’ he said at the time.

‘The price was pretty near the level we wanted to go to, and I thought it might go abroad.

‘I feel very strongly that something like this should stay in England.

+11

Charles and Diana stand on the banks of the River Dee in the grounds of Balmoral during their honeymoon, August 1981

‘I view it as being a particularly personal collection that the Princess wrote to someone who she would have known personally for a long time.’

When the hotel was merged with the local golf course, the collection, which also includes 14 Christmas cards, a signed photograph and a Royal wedding invitation, became the property of new owners Jeff and Carol Sargeant.

They are being sold via California-based firm Julien’s Auctions later today with an upper estimate of $28,000 (£23,000).

The auction house said on their website: ‘The collection of letters, encompassing thank-you notes, holiday greetings, and other correspondence, provides a rare look at Diana’s life beyond the carefully crafted public image.

‘In her own elegant script, Diana’s warmth and genuine connection with others shine through.

‘These letters reveal a woman who, despite her royal status, remained grounded and appreciative of the people in her life, from her staff to her close confidants.’

Diana’s marriage to Charles ended in divorce in August 1996, a year before she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

The King went on to marry Queen Camilla in 2005.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle publicly revealed that they were in a relationship back in 2016.

King Charles was left ‘crushed’ over Meghan and Harry’s announcement (Image: GETTY)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are said to have left King Charles “crushed” with a major announcement back in 2016.

The couple, who have now been married for six years, met in July 2016 but did not publicly announce that they were in a relationship until four months late

Speculation grew over Harry’s relationship status in October 2016, with a close friend of the Duke confirming to PEOPLE that the pair had been dating for “a couple of months” around that time.

During this period, the-then Prince of Wales was gearing up for a meeting with the King of Bahrain amidst a sensitive tour in the Persian Gulf state.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who co-wrote ‘Finding Freedom’ in 2020 and are believed to be close to the Sussexes, said that the King’s team had spent months organising the tour, hoping it would be “covered significantly” by the media.

However, the 75-year-old was reportedly “crushed” when Harry and Meghan not only confirmed their relationship publicly but also launched a critique on the press. Charles then feared that his son’s announcement would monopolise the news cycle, thereby eclipsing his tour.

The Mirror reported that the King was given a mere 20 minutes heads-up before releasing a statement to confirm his relationship with Meghan.

Finding Freedom states: “It was a critical moment that had been in the works for months. A statement from Kensington Palace condemning the Press and, in the same breath, confirming Harry’s new girlfriend would all but eliminate coverage of Prince Charles’s tour of the Gulf.”

The authors added: “The team at Clarence House, which had spent months putting together Prince Charles’ tour in the hopes that it would be covered significantly, was crushed.”

Meghan and Harry began dating in 2016 (Image: GETTY)

It also highlights how Harry stood up to anyone who “questioned his new relationship”, with the authors noting that the Duke of Sussex often wondered if people were judging them based on race or snobbery.

Ready for an all-out battle with the media, it was alleged that Harry cut ties with a friend for “gossiping about Meghan”.

Despite this, the King is said to have “understood that the situation with Meghan had reached a tipping point”.

A sparkling collection of gowns, accessories, and keepsakes belonging to Princess Diana have brought in £4million after being sold at auction.

The LA-based ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection’ auction included 200 items and was the most extensive throng of the former Princess of Wales‘ things since she held her own charity auction in 1997 – two months before her death.

Diana’s wardrobe – from her enchanting wedding gown in 1981 to ‘casual street style’ in later years – was a reflection her growth and global fame.

Pieces from her favourite designers, Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Catherine Walker, all featured at the Thursday sale.

Among those notable sales was a magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which raked in 910,000 dollars (£720,000) – four-and-a-half times its original lower estimate.

+10

+10

A magenta silk and lace off-the-shoulder evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein, which Diana wore in London and Germany (pictured) in 1987

+10

A Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 was sold for 780,000 dollars (£617,000)

The black and rouge gown was worn twice by Diana, once in London and again Germany, both in 1987.

The British designer, Edelstein, also designed her famous navy blue dress which she wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985.

Meanwhile, a Murray Arbeid midnight blue strapless gown that Diana wore twice in 1986 – to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and to a dinner with King Constantine of Greece – and to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987 also exceeded expectations.

The blue dress marked an important moment in the princess’ reign over the hearts of the public and the ‘Di-mania’ sweeping the country at the time.

The special gown sold for 780,000 dollars (£617,000), almost four times more than its lower estimate.

A pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 as well as leaving Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill in 1992, sold for 444,500 dollars (£352,000).

In line with Diana’s own sale of her clothes three decades prior, a portion of the sale from the midnight blue frock will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity, alongside other specified lots.

Alongside many of her wardrobe staples, the auction also featured more than 20 handwritten letters, notes, and holiday cards, all personally written by the hand of the princess.

+10

+10

Diana wore the strapless blue gown to the Phantom Of The Opera premiere and a dinner with King Constantine of Greece – and then to a Royal Opera House performance of Cinderella in 1987

+10

+10

Walker also created the yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit beloved by the Princess and worn on a 1989 visit to Hong Kong (right)

+10

Alongside many of her wardrobe staples, the auction also featured more than 20 handwritten letters, notes, and holiday cards, all personally written by the hand of the princess

+10

A 1983 signed holiday card from Princess Diana, featuring a picture with King Charles and a young Prince William

+10

A pink floral silk shirt dress designed by Walker, which Diana wore to Prince William’s sports day at Richmond Stadium in 1988 was sold for £352,000

Several affectionate letters were written to Maud Pendrey, a former housekeeper at the Spencer family home at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire, where Diana grew up.

One included a three-page letter to Maud, written in 2984 when Diana was pregnant with Harry.

The sweet handwritten letter was sold for nearly 15 times its estimate at 44,450 dollars (£35,000).

Another letter to Maud and her late husband, who worked as a butler, sold for 28,575 dollars (£23,000).

The two page letter, written by Diana in 1985 also included sweet photos of her young sons, William and Harry along with Diana signature that read: ‘This comes with much love from the four of us’ – sold for 28,575 dollars (£23,000).

Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions said: ‘The phenomenal results of today’s historic auction held just a few days before Princess Diana’s birthday demonstrates why Diana is and always will remain one of the world’s most beloved and inspiring cultural figures.’

‘These exquisite garments, shoes and accessories made not only fashion statements but also displayed her warmth and humanity that made Diana the most popular and greatest Royal style icon of all time.’

The sale comes after a Jacques Azagury-designed dress worn by Diana in Italy in 1985 set a new world record for the most expensive dress worn by the royal at auction, selling for more than one million dollars in December.

Romeo Beckham has an uncanny resemblance to his dad David thanks to his new platinum blonde hue

Photo: Romeo Beckham/Instagram; Getty

Romeo Beckham looks practically identical to dad David after dyeing his hair platinum blonde — and the former soccer star couldn’t help but troll him about it!

Romeo, 18, has rocked long, flowing golden blonde hair for quite some time. But he just recently buzzed it off and bleached it to an icier shade reminiscent of the platinum hue his dad David, 46, had in the 2000s.

The budding model debuted the bright blonde switch-up on Instagram and thanked colorist Josh Wood for the look. “Here’s to expressing yourself through colour & a transformational cut 💛,” Wood wrote.

Romeo’s mom Victoria Beckham gave the style her stamp of approval. “Wow!!!! Love!!!!” she wrote on her son’s post.

Romeo shared another photo of his fresh hairstyle and David left a lighthearted comment about his son’s inspiration for the cut and color.

Join PEOPLE starting on May 19 for an exclusive shopping event with special deals, live tutorials and more from COVERGIRL and Sally Hansen. Register here for the live events and sign up here for deal text alerts during the 3-day event.

“Nice hair ❤️ @romeobeckham,” David said. “I wonder where u got that idea from 😂.”

Nowadays David is sporting a slightly longer style in his natural brown color, but rocked the blonde hue in 2008 (pictured above).

Fans spotted the resemblance right away. “@davidbeckham Beckham, I can tell he has surely copied this hair from you. Beckham you had the best hairstyles ever, and you still have.This hairstyle was when you joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, Beckham, so amazing!!!!! #Beckham ❤️🙏🏻,” one person commented. Someone else wrote, “@davidbeckham Like his dad in the 90’s/00s 😅😅.”

Romeo has started to make his own mark on the fashion industry as he’s grown up, most notably landing his first magazine cover for L’Uomo Vogue‘s Generation Issue in January. And he’s gotten nothing but support from his famous family.

“incredible!! 🔥,” said Romeo’s soon-to-be sister-in-law Nicola Peltz, who got engaged to the model’s older brother Brooklyn Beckham, 22, in July 2020.

David posted the magazine cover on his own Instagram feed and congratulated his son on the accomplishment. He wrote: “So proud of you @romeobeckham ❤️ What an incredible first cover for @luomovogue.”

The couple’s eldest child launched a hot sauce brand, Cloud 23, at Whole Foods UK

By
Charna Flam

Published on October 4, 2024 07:53PM EDT

Photo: DAVID BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM; VICTORIA BECKHAM

David and Victoria Beckham are proud parents!

On Friday, Oct. 4, the former soccer star, 49, and fashion designer, 50, posted to Instagram celebrating their eldest son’s latest career accomplishment. Son Brooklyn, 25, launched a new hot sauce brand, Cloud 23, on Friday in the U.K.

Both parents posted a series of Instagram Stories of their son at Whole Foods U.K., the retailer that exclusively sells the brand. David posted a couple of photos of the hot sauce bottles on display at the grocery store. He also added a selfie of himself smiling in front of the brand’s logo and display art.

David Beckham Oct. 4, 2024 Instagram Story.DAVID BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM

David and Victoria Beckham’s 4 Kids: All About Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper

“You have worked so hard and passionately on this mate 🩷💙,” he wrote in the Story. He also added a sweet selfie alongside Brooklyn in front of the same display.

David also posted an Instagram carousel of photos of the family posing together, including one snap of David, Victoria, Brooklyn and Brooklyn’s wife, Nicola Peltz.

“Amazing to celebrate the launch of @cloud23 at @wholefoodsuk …you’ve worked so hard on this Brooklyn ❤️. we are all really proud of you mate… 🌶️ 🔥👌🏼. @brooklynpeltzbeckham @nicolaannepeltzbeckham @victoriabeckham @romeobeckham @willpeltz @sandra_beckham49 @jo_jo_beckham_,” David captioned his Instagram carousel.

Nicola Beckham’s Oct. 4, 2024 Instagram Story.NICOLE ANNE PELTZ BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM

Victoria also posted a series of photos and videos of her son during the launch event. In one Instagram Story, she posed with David, Brooklyn, Nicola, and younger sons Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 19. She followed it up with a solo shot beside her son, with a caption that read: “So proud of you  @brooklynpeltzbeckham. This hot sauce is amazing!!”

The former Spice Girl added two videos of Brooklyn smiling and standing in front of the display. “So, we’re here at Whole Foods. It looks so good. I gotta be honest. This is an amazing hot sauce. So proud of you!” And Brooklyn sweetly replies, “Thank you, Mum.”

In the second video, she can be heard saying, “We’re here at Whole Foods,” before David jumps into the frame, telling the camera he’s also there. We’ve got David, Nicola, and Romeo,” she adds.

To her profile, she posted the same photo as David of her and her husband with Nicola and Brooklyn.

“So so proud of you @brooklynpeltzbeckham for making @cloud23 adream come true!! You’ve put so much of yourself into this…,” she wrote in the caption. Adding, “Congratulations on your amazing @wholefoodsuk launch, I am officially obsessed! 🔥🌶️ 💃 . Kisses @davidbeckham @romeobeckham @nicolaannepeltzbeckham @willpeltz xx.”

David Beckham Jokes His Kids Need Photo Approval Ahead of Victoria’s Fashion Show in Paris

Nicola Beckham Oct. 4, 2024 Instagram Story.NICOLE ANNE PELTZ BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM

Brooklyn’s wife also shared a series of Instagram Stories and a post. “You have put your heart into @cloud23 i am so so excited for people to try it 🥹☁️🤍🪽 please go taste the yummiest hot sauce everrrr at @wholefoods i love you @brooklynpeltzbeckham,” she wrote in the caption.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Cloud 23 is exclusively available at Whole Foods Market U.K. and on c23.com. When he announced the brand on Sept. 24, he explained that “this hot sauce is more than just a condiment—it’s my invitation to you to celebrate every meal.”