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  • Harry awaits judgment in High Court challenge over change to personal security

    Harry awaits judgment in High Court challenge over change to personal security

    The Duke of Sussex is to discover whether he has won a High Court challenge against the Government over a decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK.

    Harry took legal action against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the country.

    Following a hearing in December, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane is set to issue his ruling over the case on Wednesday.

    The duke’s lawyers previously told the court that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany in September (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
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    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany in September (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

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    They said a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”.

    The court was told that Harry believes his children cannot “feel at home” in the UK if it is “not possible to keep them safe” there.

    The Government said Harry’s claim should be dismissed, arguing that Ravec – which falls under the Home Office’s remit – was entitled to conclude the duke’s protection should be “bespoke” and considered on a “case-by-case” basis.

    Home Office lawyers said the duke was no longer a member of the group of people whose “security position” was under regular review by Ravec, but he was “brought back within the cohort in the appropriate circumstances”.

    The court was told that it was “simply incorrect” to suggest that there was no evidence that the issue of impact was considered, adding that the death of Diana, Princess of Wales – Harry’s mother – was raised as part of the decision.

    Ravec has delegated responsibility from the Home Office over the provision of protective security arrangements for members of the royal family and others, with involvement from the Metropolitan Police, the Cabinet Office and the royal household.

    The majority of the proceedings in December were held in private, without the public or press present, because of confidential evidence over security measures being involved in the case.

    The security case is one of three remaining live High Court cases brought by the duke, alongside claims over allegations of unlawful information gathering against publishers News Group Newspapers (NGN) and Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).

    Earlier this month, Harry settled the remaining parts of his phone hacking claim against Mirror Group Newspapers.

    It came after the duke decided in January to withdraw a libel claim against ANL over a February 2022 Mail on Sunday article about his legal challenge against the Home Office.

    Harry, who was not present at the December hearing, lives in North America with wife Meghan and their children after the couple announced they were stepping back as senior royals in January 2020.

    Sir Peter’s written ruling is due to be released from 10.30am on Wednesday.

  • US authorities `have evidence to make arrests´ over Harry and Meghan car chase

    US authorities `have evidence to make arrests´ over Harry and Meghan car chase

    US authorities concluded there was enough evidence to arrest two people for “reckless endangerment” after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they experienced a “near-catastrophic” car chase in New York involving paparazzi, a court was told.

    Details of a review of the incident in May last year were revealed in a High Court ruling on Wednesday over Harry’s challenge to a decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded, personal security when visiting the UK.

    Retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane dismissed the duke’s case against the Home Office, with his judgment referring to evidence submitted over what happened in New York.

    The judge’s ruling featured a redacted version of a December 6 2023 letter, provided to him by Harry’s barrister, from the chief of intelligence in the New York City Police Department to the chief superintendent OCU commander royalty and speciality protection.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were leaving an awards ceremony when the car chase took place (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
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    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were leaving an awards ceremony when the car chase took place (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

    Sir Peter said that “contrary to what appears to have entered the public domain”, the letter states that “reckless endangerment did take place on 16 May 2023” when Harry and Meghan were being driven in Manhattan.

    In the letter, the chief of intelligence says he wants to make “aware of certain changes to the security posture that will be afforded to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in light of the security incident that took place on May 16 2023 in New York City”.

    According to the judge, the letter says that “a thorough review of the incident had taken place and although no formal charges were brought against the parties involved at the time ‘we did conclude that the behaviour in question was reckless’.”

    Sir Peter said the investigation “found reckless disregard of vehicle and traffic laws and persistently dangerous and unacceptable behaviour on the part of paparazzi during the night in question”.

    “They had operated vehicles, scooters and bicycles in a manner that forced the security team, which included the NYPD lead car, to take evasive actions on several occasions and a circuitous route to avoid being struck by pursuing vehicles or trapped on side blocks,” the judge added.

    He said that “the conclusion was that there was sufficient evidence to arrest two individuals for reckless endangerment”.

    A spokesperson for the duke and duchess previously said they were followed by paparazzi after attending an awards ceremony with the duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland.

    The three of them are said to have been subjected to a “relentless pursuit” involving half a dozen blacked out vehicles, described as “a near catastrophic car chase at the hands of a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi”.

    It was understood at the time that Harry, Meghan and Ms Ragland were staying at a private residence and did not want to compromise the security of their friend’s home.

    It was also understood that the couple believe the pursuit could have been fatal, with the incident said to have featured traffic violations including driving on the pavement and through red lights, reversing down a one-way street, illegally blocking a moving vehicle and driving while photographing and while on the phone.

    A taxi driver who said he transported the couple for part of the journey said the dangers may have been “exaggerated”.

    At the time of the incident, the New York Police Department, which deployed officers to help escort the duke and duchess, said “numerous photographers” had “made their transport difficult” on the night.

    The statement said there were “no reported collisions, summonses, injuries or arrests”.

    New York mayor Eric Adams condemned the photographers for being “reckless and irresponsible”.

    He added that it would be “horrific” for Harry to be involved in an accident similar to the one that killed his mother Diana, the Princess of Wales, in 1997.

  • Harry in surprise on-screen appearance at sports awards

    Harry in surprise on-screen appearance at sports awards

    The Duke of Sussex has made a surprise appearance on screen at the Sport Gives Back Awards in honour of a triple amputee Afghanistan veteran.

    Harry paid tribute, in a video message played at the event in London, to Invictus medal-winning cyclist and fellow former soldier Josh Boggi, who won the Unconquered category.

    It was Harry’s second video appearance on Wednesday, coming on the same day he lost a High Court challenge against the Home Office over a decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK.

    The Duke of Sussex watching the wheelchair rugby finals with Josh Boggi, left, at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf in 2023 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
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    The Duke of Sussex watching the wheelchair rugby finals with Josh Boggi, left, at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf in 2023 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

    The duke, who also recorded an earlier message appealing for nominations for the WellChild Awards, is to seek to appeal against the ruling, with his lawyers saying Harry “hopes he will obtain justice”.

    It was revealed at the High Court that Harry said he faced a greater risk than his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, with “additional layers of racism and extremism”, in a letter he previously wrote to the then-Cabinet Secretary expressing his “disbelief” over his security arrangements.

    And it emerged that US authorities concluded there was enough evidence to arrest two people for “reckless endangerment” after the Sussexes said they experienced a “near-catastrophic” car chase in New York involving paparazzi in 2023.

    Harry and Meghan at the late Queen´s lying-in-state (Alkis Konstantinidis/PA)
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    Harry and Meghan at the late Queen´s lying-in-state (Alkis Konstantinidis/PA)

    The royal family has had a difficult start to 2024, with the King being treated for cancer, the Princess of Wales undergoing abdominal surgery and the sudden death, announced on Tuesday, of Lady Gabriella Kingston’s husband Thomas Kingston at the age of 45.

    Harry, who undertook two frontline tours in Afghanistan, praised Mr Boggi for being the “personifation of resilience”.

    “Josh, you are a truly remarkable human,” the duke said. “You served your country and completed three tours of Afghanistan.

    “You were blown up, suffering a broken back and the loss of three limbs. You cycled across America and won several Invictus Games medals.”

    He described how Mr Boggi nearly died again in an accident, when he collided with a truck, then contracted sepsis, but celebrated his own survival by jumping out of a plane to skydive twice over Nepal.

    Josh Boggi who won the Unconquered award (ITV/PA)
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    Josh Boggi who won the Unconquered award (ITV/PA)

    Harry added: “You are always helping others. There is no-one in the world who deserves this more, you are the personification of resilience.

    “And for everyone else, do not try this at home.

    “Josh. You are the winner of the Invictus Games Foundation Unconquered award. Congratulations mate.”

    He described Mr Boggi as an “integral part” of the Invictus Games team.

    The duke, who was filmed outside and dressed in an open-necked shirt and beige jacket, described the mission of Invictus over the last 10 years as trying to help wounded, sick and injured personnel and veterans redefine “purpose through a continued sense of service”.

    The late Queen Elizabeth II meeting Josh Boggi in connection with the Help for Heroes charity´s Big Battlefield Bike Ride in Paris in 2014 (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)
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    The late Queen Elizabeth II meeting Josh Boggi in connection with the Help for Heroes charity´s Big Battlefield Bike Ride in Paris in 2014 (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)

    Mr Boggi was an army corporal when he lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010.

    He went on to develop a love of cycling during his recovery, and now works with other wounded and sick service personnel.

    Mr Boggi, who met Harry and the now-Prince of Wales at a Help the Heroes Recovery Centre in 2013, competed in the Invitus Games, founded by Harry, and is now Invictus’s community liaison executive.

    He also completed the 3,000-mile Race Across America team cycling challenge in record time and became the first triple amputee rescue scuba diver.

    William meeting Josh Boggi and his son, Jenson, at Tedworth House in Wiltshire where he and Harry officially opened a Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in 2013 (Mark Richards/Daily Mail/PA)
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    William meeting Josh Boggi and his son, Jenson, at Tedworth House in Wiltshire where he and Harry officially opened a Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in 2013 (Mark Richards/Daily Mail/PA)

    The awards celebrate the work of charities, organisations and individuals who change lives through sport.

    Stars Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, Frank Lampard and Ellie Simmonds were among those who attended.

    The Sport Gives Back ceremony will be broadcast on ITV on Sunday March 24.

    In his WellChild message, Harry, the charity’s patron, hailed the “extraordinary strength and spirit” of young people with complex medical conditions.

    The Duke of Sussex in his video message for WellChild (WellChild/PA)
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    The Duke of Sussex in his video message for WellChild (WellChild/PA)

    He looked relaxed in a grey shirt and wearing his leather cord necklace in the video which appeared to have been filmed at his home in California.

    The duke urged the public to put forward the names of the “remarkable individuals who inspire you” for WellChild’s 2024 awards.

  • New Princess Diana photography exhibition will tell the real stories behind famous pictures – including the late royal’s favourite photo of herself

    New Princess Diana photography exhibition will tell the real stories behind famous pictures – including the late royal’s favourite photo of herself

    The hidden stories behind famous photographs of Princess Diana are set to be shared in a hit exhibition coming to London for the first time.

    Iconic moments including Diana’s 1981 wedding to Charles, her black ‘revenge dress’ and game-changing gym wear style all feature in the Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition.

    Photographers Anwar Hussein and his two sons Samir and Zak will share their remarkable photographs of the late Princess and her family, paired with their first-hand accounts of the stories behind each moment.

    It has so far been featured in Melbourne, South Carolina, Las Vegas and more – and is now coming to St Katharine Docks in London for the first time from May 25.

    The exhibition consists of ‘larger than life images, bespoke art installations and first-hand narration’ in a 60-minute experience delving into the lives of the royal family.

    The hidden stories behind famous photographs of Princess Diana are set to be shared in a hit exhibition coming to London for the first time. Pictured: Diana's 'revenge dress'
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    The hidden stories behind famous photographs of Princess Diana are set to be shared in a hit exhibition coming to London for the first time. Pictured: Diana’s ‘revenge dress’

    Diana attends Ascot the month before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 wearing a striped dress and a matching lilac hat
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    Diana attends Ascot the month before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 wearing a striped dress and a matching lilac hat

    The exhibition shares several lesser-known images, such as this one of Diana wearing a casual white shirtdress for a visit to Ayers Rock during a royal tour of Australia in 1983
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    The exhibition shares several lesser-known images, such as this one of Diana wearing a casual white shirtdress for a visit to Ayers Rock during a royal tour of Australia in 1983

    Anwar said Diana told him that a picture of her cradling a child during a visit to a hospital in Lahore in 1996 was her 'favourite photograph of all'
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    Anwar said Diana told him that a picture of her cradling a child during a visit to a hospital in Lahore in 1996 was her ‘favourite photograph of all’

    Accredited by the Royal Family, the Husseins make up the longest-standing family of official royal photographers, having collectively spent over four decades working side-by-side with the princess and her family.

    They received special access to document the lives of the royals in public, as well as capturing more intimate, private moments, including the unforgettable revenge dress which dared to break royal protocol and the princess’ simple handshake with an AIDS patient that showed the world how to be human.

    Samir and Zak followed their father’s footsteps into royal photography by capturing the lives of Diana’s sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and now are multi-award winning and celebrated photographers themselves

    One story the exhibition tells is the touching image of Diana cradling a sick child in her arms during her visit to Imran Khan’s cancer hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, during April 1996.

    The photographers tell of the moment: ‘Diana later told me that out of so many pictures taken of her, this was her favourite photograph of all…

    ‘She was so sad when she found out the boy had passed away shortly after her visit.’

    The exhibition tells how iconic photographs of Diana wearing her ‘Fly Virgin Atlantic’ jumper, a gift from Sir Richard Branson, may never have come to light without the personal relationship between Anwar and the princess.

    Anwar Hussein and his two sons Samir and Zak (pictured outside Buckingham Palace) will share their remarkable photographs of the late Princess and her family
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    Anwar Hussein and his two sons Samir and Zak (pictured outside Buckingham Palace) will share their remarkable photographs of the late Princess and her family

    Some of the photos on display include the infamous image of Diana sitting alone outside the Taj Mahal while her marriage to Prince Charles crumbled
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    Some of the photos on display include the infamous image of Diana sitting alone outside the Taj Mahal while her marriage to Prince Charles crumbled

    Photos of Diana wearing her Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt in 1995 may never have come to light without a conversation with photographer Anwar
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    Photos of Diana wearing her Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt in 1995 may never have come to light without a conversation with photographer Anwar

    Princess Diana attending a passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Surrey, April 1987
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    Princess Diana attending a passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Surrey, April 1987

    Princess Diana visits Mianpur Old Age Welfare Centre in India in February 1992, wearing a cream dress with a pleated skirt and gold buttons designed by Catherine Walker
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    Princess Diana visits Mianpur Old Age Welfare Centre in India in February 1992, wearing a cream dress with a pleated skirt and gold buttons designed by Catherine Walker

    Diana wearing a pink dress with blue polka dots and a pink jacket by Paul Costelloe
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    Diana wearing a pink dress with blue polka dots and a pink jacket by Paul Costelloe

    Wearing a cream halter dress in 1992 for a Plácido Domingo event at Covent Garden, London
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    Wearing a cream halter dress in 1992 for a Plácido Domingo event at Covent Garden, London

    Diana was often seen wearing it when she left the gym at the Chelsea Harbour Club in London.

    Anwar’s sons describe: ‘Father had mentioned to Diana that he wanted to see how health conscious she was and be inspired by her.

    ‘She agreed, so he snapped these photographs where we see Diana coming out of the gym.

    ‘Her popularity sky-rocketed as the public showed their adoration for her willingness to go against the grain and to forgo formality.’

    As well as the famous revenge dress and the iconic shot of Diana by the Taj Mahal, the family also cast a light on photographs of Diana that haven’t been seen as often by members of the public.

    One shows Diana wearing a casual white shirtdress for a visit to Ayers Rock during a royal tour of Australia in 1983.

    Anwar is a long-standing photographer of the royal family and his family have collectively spent four decades working alongside them
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    Anwar is a long-standing photographer of the royal family and his family have collectively spent four decades working alongside them

    Diana in her wedding carriage during her 1981 marriage to Charles
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    Diana in her wedding carriage during her 1981 marriage to Charles

    Wearing a strapless black dress for her first official public engagement with Charles in March 1981 to a black-tie event at Goldsmith's Hall in aid of the Royal Opera House
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    Wearing a strapless black dress for her first official public engagement with Charles in March 1981 to a black-tie event at Goldsmith’s Hall in aid of the Royal Opera House

    Diana in Melbourne, Australia 1988, visiting the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music
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    Diana in Melbourne, Australia 1988, visiting the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music

    Pictures of the exhibition, which will be coming to St Katharine Docks from May 25
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    Pictures of the exhibition, which will be coming to St Katharine Docks from May 25

    It also features other iconic photos of the Royal Family, such as Prince Harry and Meghan
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    It also features other iconic photos of the Royal Family, such as Prince Harry and Meghan

    In another, she attends Ascot the month before her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 wearing a striped dress and a matching lilac hat.

    Anwar said: ‘I am honoured and humbled to have been given the opportunity to photograph Princess Diana so extensively and to have had the pleasure of having many friendly and insightful conversations with her.

    ‘I am delighted that the images captured, as well as those of my sons, are coming home to London to recognise and memorialise such a remarkable woman and her sons.

    ‘There are so many memories of our two families connecting and creating a special relationship, which I am pleased to be able to display in such a unique way through the exhibition.’

    The Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition is set to open on May 25, 2024 at Dockside Vaults in St Katharine Docks until September 2.

    Tickets will be available to book from 10am on Thursday, February 29 and are available to pre-order now from £17 at PrincessDiana.London

  • Princess Diana’s intimate love letters to James Hewitt are ‘set to go on sale’ in the US for around $1m – sparking fears they will be made public

    Princess Diana’s intimate love letters to James Hewitt are ‘set to go on sale’ in the US for around $1m – sparking fears they will be made public

    Princess Diana‘s intimate love letters to James Hewitt are reportedly set to go on sale in the United States for about $1million, sparking fears they will be made public.

    Former Household Cavalry officer Mr Hewitt, who had a five-year affair with the-then Princess of Wales between 1986 and 1991, kept 64 letters she wrote to him.

    A US auction house has now reportedly lined up a rich collector to buy the notes, priced at up to $1million, or £780,000 – in what has been called the ‘final insult’ to the memory of the late princess, killed in a car crash in August 1997.

    Mr Hewitt, 65, is said to have previously offered the letters – penned between 1989 and 1991 – as collateral for a £500,000 loan.

    Intermediaries acting on his behalf contacted London auction house Bonhams last October with a view to selling the collection, the Sun on Sunday reported today.

    Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured leaving the studios of the English National Ballet in February 1996), had an affair with James Hewitt between 1986 and 1991
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    Diana, Princess of Wales (pictured leaving the studios of the English National Ballet in February 1996), had an affair with James Hewitt between 1986 and 1991

    Former Household Cavalary officer James Hewitt kept 66 letters Diana wrote to him
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    Former Household Cavalary officer James Hewitt kept 66 letters Diana wrote to him

    Reports suggest intermediaries for him have been contacting auction firms about the notes
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    Reports suggest intermediaries for him have been contacting auction firms about the notes

    Bonhams declined to sell them and recommended looking for a buyer across the Atlantic – and US auction house Heritage was then contacted.

    The company based in Dallas, Texas, describes itself as the ‘world’s largest collectibles auctioneer’.

    Ingrid Seward, author of royal book My Mother and I, said: ‘James Hewitt has betrayed Diana in so many ways so this is just the final insult.

    ‘I presume Hewitt desperately needs the money and he sees the value in these letters.

    ‘Diana was a prolific letter writer but none of this intimate nature – it is unthinkable these notes for such a sensitive time in her life could become public.’

    Diana confirmed the affair with Mr Hewitt during her now-infamous Panorama interview in 1995 with disgraced journalist Martin Bashir.

    She said at the time: ‘Yes, I adored him. Yes I was in love with him. But I was very let down.’

    Mr Hewitt had been a young Household Cavalry officer at the time and served in the first Gulf war, commanding a tank squadron.

    A now-iconic photo, taken during their secret relationship, shows Diana presenting the Captain and Subalterns Cup to Mr Hewitt after he led his Army polo team to glory at Tidworth, Wiltshire, in 1989.

    After leaving the Army in 1994, he caused controversy after collaborating with Anna Pasternak, author of Princess In Love, and was reputedly paid £300,000 for sharing details of his relationship with Diana.

    Less than a decade later he said he was willing to sell Diana’s letters.

    A 1989 photo shows Diana presenting the Captain and Subalterns Cup to Mr Hewitt after he led his Army polo team to glory at Tidworth, Wiltshire - their affair was ongoing at the time
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    A 1989 photo shows Diana presenting the Captain and Subalterns Cup to Mr Hewitt after he led his Army polo team to glory at Tidworth, Wiltshire – their affair was ongoing at the time

    Diana confirmed her affair with Mr Hewitt during her 1995 interview with BBC1's Panorama
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    Diana confirmed her affair with Mr Hewitt during her 1995 interview with BBC1’s Panorama

    During an appearance last week on the American television chat show Larry King Live in 2003, Mr Hewitt claimed the letters deserved a wider circulation because they were ‘important historical documents’.

    He indicated that he would be prepared to accept an offer of £10million and there were suggestions at the time Prince William was considering buying them.

    But accusations of betraying her followed and the letters remain unsold.

    Today’s report says experts at Bonhams valued the collection of letters at between $400,000 (£311,000) and $600,000 (£466,000).

    In an email, the firm reportedly told Mr Hewitt’s intermediaries: ‘We believe that open market auction would almost certainly be the best way to achieve the best price.

    ‘We would recommend sale in the US because there do seem to be more potential buyers at this level there, and because the sale is likely to be less contentious than in the UK.’

    An email sent in late January by a leading figure at Heritage was quoted as saying: ‘After much discussion, it was decided that the best way forward to proceed was to work with a likely potential buyer they already have in mind for a private sale.

    ‘They (the Heritage partners) feel this would remove the letters from appearing at public auction for a long time and remove us from any negative fall-out.’

    There was also discussion of arrangements for ‘the material to be fully insured at $1million’.

    A spokesman for Mr Hewitt told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Heritage Auctions were approached on behalf of a representative of James Hewitt solely to value and authenticate the letters for personal reasons and insurance purposes.

    ‘He has no intention to sell and is not soliciting offers to buy.’

    A spokesperson for James Hewitt has said he was merely having the letters valued and has 'no intention to sell'
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    A spokesperson for James Hewitt has said he was merely having the letters valued and has ‘no intention to sell’

    Mr Hewitt was reputedly paid £300,000 for sharing details of his relationship with Diana for Anna Pasternak's 1994 book Princess In Love
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    Mr Hewitt was reputedly paid £300,000 for sharing details of his relationship with Diana for Anna Pasternak’s 1994 book Princess In Love

    Mr Hewitt, pictured here at Chagstock Music Festival in Devon in July 2018, previously commanded a tank squadron in Iraq during the first Gulf War
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    Mr Hewitt, pictured here at Chagstock Music Festival in Devon in July 2018, previously commanded a tank squadron in Iraq during the first Gulf War

    Heritage Auctions’ executive vice-president Joe Maddalena told the Sun on Sunday: ‘We can’t comment, I can’t comment. I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I can’t comment on that. No comment.’

    The Daily Mail revealed in 2021 that Mr Hewitt was now living with his widowed mother in the Devon village of Farringdon, working as a £4,000-a-year gardener at her block of flats.

    The following year he set up a not-for-profit to help vulnerable people escape from war-torn Ukraine, alongside the son of a decorated British commander who founded a similar fund in Afghanistan.

    In recent years Mr Hewitt has suffered both a heart attack and a stroke yet in December 2022 it was revealed he was also driving thousands of miles across war-torn Ukraine to rescue innocent civilians left by Russia’s invasion.

  • Kate’s been the reliable face of a modern monarchy. Now she’s at the center of a media backlash

    Kate’s been the reliable face of a modern monarchy. Now she’s at the center of a media backlash

    LONDON (AP) – She´s one of the most photographed women in the world. But attention on Kate, the Princess of Wales, hasn´t reached this level since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011.

    An announcement from palace officials that Kate, 42, had unspecified abdominal surgery and would be out of sight for weeks triggered huge speculation and gossip about her health. But an admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo – one that’s supposed to reassure the public that she is doing well – made things even worse.

    It´s a rare misstep for the princess, who has hardly put a foot wrong in her journey from William´s shy “commoner” girlfriend to the glamorous young mother who, more than any royal since Princess Diana, boosted the popularity and appeal of the British monarchy worldwide.

    Kate has enjoyed overwhelmingly positive coverage from the press in recent years, but her relationship with journalists hasn´t always been smooth sailing.

    The princess is the oldest of three children brought up in a well-to-do neighborhood in Berkshire, west of London. The Middletons have no aristocratic background, and the British press often referred to Kate as a “commoner” marrying into royalty.

    Kate attended the private girls´ school Marlborough College and then University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where she met William around 2001. Friends and housemates at first, their relationship came to be in the public eye when they were pictured together on a skiing holiday in Switzerland in 2004.

    Britain's Prince William, right, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, hold their newborn daughter as they pose for the media outside the St. Mary's Hospital's exclusive Lindo Wing, London, Saturday, May 2, 2015. The Duchess gave birth to the Princess on Saturday morning. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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    Britain’s Prince William, right, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, hold their newborn daughter as they pose for the media outside the St. Mary’s Hospital’s exclusive Lindo Wing, London, Saturday, May 2, 2015. The Duchess gave birth to the Princess on Saturday morning. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

    Kate graduated in 2005 with a degree in art history and a budding relationship with the prince.

    The pair’s relationship came under intense public scrutiny from the start.

    In 2005, Kate´s lawyers asked newspaper editors to leave her alone, saying photographers were invading her private life. That didn´t stop media interest in her relationship with William, or unkind headlines calling her “Waity Katie” when the couple briefly split in 2007.

    After wall-to-wall coverage of Kate and William’s April 2011 wedding, the couple retreated to a relatively quiet life away from the limelight in rural Wales for two years while William completed his military service.

    But the royals´ tussle with the press again came to the fore in 2012, when William and Kate sued a French magazine for publishing photos of a topless Kate, snapped while the couple was holidaying at a private villa in southern France.

    Media pressure on Kate largely eased when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, and the tabloids´ critical eye turned to scrutinize the biracial American actress. The papers often depicted Meghan as the upstart newcomer to the royal institution, a contrast to reliable, staid Kate, now a mother to the future king and a darling of the front pages with her elegant outfits and photogenic smile.

    Kate rarely revealed her thoughts in public, though in recent years she has grown in confidence as a public speaker and a champion of early education for young children. In 2021, she showed she had some talent as a performer, surprising the audience at a Christmas carol service with her piano playing.

    Motherhood brought about a determination to forge a new, more controlled relationship with the media. In 2015, when Kate and William´s firstborn, Prince George, was just 2, the couple appealed to journalists to stop taking unofficial photos of him. They said they wanted their children to lead as “normal” a life as possible.

    Since then, Kate and William have periodically released their own photos of their three children — George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5 — to mark important dates and milestones such as birthdays and Christmases.

    In 2022, the family moved from Kensington Palace in central London to a cottage near Windsor Castle, further underlining their desire to raise their children in relative privacy.

    That went well until January, when palace officials announced that Kate was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. They said she would not appear for public engagements until Easter.

    Her decision to keep details private fueled a social media frenzy. The release of a photo to mark Mother’s Day in Britain, which was withdrawn Sunday by The Associated Press and other news agencies over concerns about digital alteration, only fanned more questions.

    The fallout over the photo has, again, left Britain divided over their views of just how much privacy the royals are entitled to. Some see it as a blow to trust in the monarchy.

    “Palace in a spin over extraordinary backlash,” the Daily Mirror proclaimed Tuesday. But The Sun chided: “Lay off Kate: Stop bullying over edited pic.”

    Either way, the appetite for news about Kate remains ferocious.

    FILE - Britain's Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales depart, after a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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    FILE – Britain’s Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales depart, after a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP, File)

    FILE - In this Saturday, May 2, 2015, file photo, Kate Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William smile as they carry their newborn baby Princess Charlotte from St. Mary's Hospital in London, following the birth. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
    +9

    FILE – In this Saturday, May 2, 2015, file photo, Kate Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William smile as they carry their newborn baby Princess Charlotte from St. Mary’s Hospital in London, following the birth. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

    FILE - Britain's Prince William, left, and Kate, Princess of Wales arrive for the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting, at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, Friday, June 23, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
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    FILE – Britain’s Prince William, left, and Kate, Princess of Wales arrive for the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting, at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, Friday, June 23, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

    FILE - Kate Middleton arrives for her wedding with Britain's Prince William at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File)
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    FILE – Kate Middleton arrives for her wedding with Britain’s Prince William at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Gero Breloer, File)

    FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 file photo, Britain's Prince Charles, left, speaks with Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge as they arrive for the World premiere of the new film from the James Bond franchise 'No Time To Die', in London. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP, File)
    +9

    FILE – In this Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 file photo, Britain’s Prince Charles, left, speaks with Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge as they arrive for the World premiere of the new film from the James Bond franchise ‘No Time To Die’, in London. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP, File)

    FILE - Kate Middleton, left, and accompanied by maid of honour Pippa Middleton as they arrive at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
    +9

    FILE – Kate Middleton, left, and accompanied by maid of honour Pippa Middleton as they arrive at Westminster Abbey at the Royal Wedding in London Friday, April 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

    FILE - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
    +9

    FILE – Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge stand outside of Westminster Abbey after their Royal Wedding in London Friday, April, 29, 2011. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

    FILE - Britain's Prince William, left, and Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, attend a ceremonial welcome for the President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Horse Guards Parade in London, England on Nov. 21, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP, File)
    +9

    FILE – Britain’s Prince William, left, and Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, attend a ceremonial welcome for the President and the First Lady of the Republic of Korea at Horse Guards Parade in London, England on Nov. 21, 2023. Attention on Princess Kate has reached levels not seen since she married Prince William in a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. An admission from Kate that she altered an official family photo triggered a backlash. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP, File)

  • EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: William and Harry will not welcome revelations from Princess Diana’s bodyguard about her affair with James Hewitt

    EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: William and Harry will not welcome revelations from Princess Diana’s bodyguard about her affair with James Hewitt

    William and Harry will not welcome new revelations from their late mother’s bodyguard Ken Wharfe about her affair with James Hewitt.

    In a Channel 5 documentary next week Wharfe, who protected Diana from 1987 to 1993, also claims that on a Majorcan holiday with her boys she revealed her distress at husband Charles’s affair with Camilla.

    ‘She told me in short about the problems with her marriage with Camilla always being there,’ he tells Secrets of the Royal Palaces, which airs on March 23.

    ‘Suddenly to hear it in full verse from the Princess of Wales was quite extraordinary.

    ‘I found I understood this woman much more as a result of this discussion because it did help me for example to police the occasions she met James Hewitt at his mother’s house in Devon.’

    Wharf also claims he never divulged the intimate information to his police superiors. Three decades on, is he making up for lost time?

    Wharfe says he policed Princess Diana's meetings with James Hewitt, which took place at the soldier's mother's house. Pictured: James Hewitt and Princess Diana in 1994
    +5

    Wharfe says he policed Princess Diana’s meetings with James Hewitt, which took place at the soldier’s mother’s house. Pictured: James Hewitt and Princess Diana in 1994

    Prince William, left, and Prince Harry speak after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle
    +5

    Prince William, left, and Prince Harry speak after viewing the floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle

    In a Channel 5 documentary next week Wharfe (pictured), who protected Diana from 1987 to 1993, also claims that on a Majorcan holiday with her boys she revealed her distress at husband Charles's affair with Camilla
    +5

    In a Channel 5 documentary next week Wharfe (pictured), who protected Diana from 1987 to 1993, also claims that on a Majorcan holiday with her boys she revealed her distress at husband Charles’s affair with Camilla

    Sir Keir Starmer’s talents as a violinist – he studied at school with classmate Fatboy Slim – contrasts with predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. 

    He made the disastrous mistake at Labour’s 2016 Liverpool party conference of visiting a primary school and taking up the bow. 

    Classic FM opined: ‘The most obvious problem here is the bow hold. We know this was an impromptu lesson, but come on. 

    ‘If Corbyn was planning to join The Pogues, we could understand – but clearly we’re aiming for a classic bow hold here, and frankly he’s holding it like a wooden spoon over a pan of soup. NO, JEREMY.’ 

    Music is clearly not his forte. Corbyn once revealed that he summoned his cat home each night by whistling Tie a Yellow Ribbon. Did the cat require counselling?

    Sir Keir Starmer's talents as a violinist – he studied at school with classmate Fatboy Slim – contrasts with predecessor Jeremy Corbyn (pictured)
    +5

    Sir Keir Starmer’s talents as a violinist – he studied at school with classmate Fatboy Slim – contrasts with predecessor Jeremy Corbyn (pictured)

    Dame Helen Mirren, pictured, takes exception to being told she looks ‘good for her age’, huffing: ‘It’s never a compliment, always a caveat.’

    A celebrity ambassador for beauty giant L’Oréal, the Oscar winner, 78, adds: ‘I’ve always hated those words anti-ageing because it’s anti-human… ‘pro skin’ is great because you’re saying, look after yourself and don’t stop.’

    Will it catch on Helen?

    Reviewing the coverage of the ashes scandal embroiling a Hull funeral parlour, Gyles Brandreth tells ITV’s This Morning: ‘Don’t think this is universal. I’ve some experience in this… I’ve hosted the Funeral Directors Awards. 

    ‘I’ve met a lot of these guys from across the UK. They really are good people.’ 

    Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, Gyles!

    Reviewing the coverage of the ashes scandal embroiling a Hull funeral parlour, Gyles Brandreth (pictured) spoke on ITV's This Morning
    +5

    Reviewing the coverage of the ashes scandal embroiling a Hull funeral parlour, Gyles Brandreth (pictured) spoke on ITV’s This Morning

    Fresh from Succession, Brian Cox rejoices in playing a pigeon fancier in Little Wing.

    ‘I had to interact a fair bit with the pigeons.’ he says. ‘They could be quite boisterous – but once they were in their cages, they were actually rather well-behaved. And I didn’t get s**t on once!’

    Pity the pigeon who dared defecate on foul-mouthed Logan Roy!

  • David Beckham angered his in-laws by sending them a w@rning message not to bother his family anymore, even though they only wanted to visit their grandchildren (video)

    David Beckham angered his in-laws by sending them a w@rning message not to bother his family anymore, even though they only wanted to visit their grandchildren (video)

    David Beckham showcased his close relationship with his in-laws as he wished his wife Victoria’s mum and dad a happy anniversary in true Becks fashion.

    The 49-year-old took to Instagram to post two sweet snaps of the couple on their 54th wedding anniversary. ’54 years married. WOW’,

    David praised the pair to his 88.2 million followers.

    ‘Well done Tony’, the former England player joked, followed by a cheeky emoji. David tagged his wife in the hilarious post,

    which was written over a romantic snap of her parents, Tony and Jackie Adams, as they wrapped their arms around each other while gazing out at a lake.

    David got more candid sharing a second pic of the couple looking loved-up over a formal dinner.

    ‘Have the most amazing day, you deserve it’, the star wrote, followed by two white love-heart emojis.

    Posh and Becks have recently celebrated their own milestone anniversary in the sweetest way, by recreating the iconic look the fashion forward pair sported on their wedding day.

    On July 4, the couple marked 25 years married, after they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Luttrellstown Castle, outside Dublin, back in 1999.

    The pair famously wore matching striking deep-purple looks to the reception in an unusual move that garnered worldwide attention at the time.

    Earlier this month, the celeb royalty recreated the iconic look, as they donned the deep purple colour to mark a quarter of a century together.

    Victoria shared the photoshoot with her 33 million Instagram followers, captioning the post: ‘Yep, still got it! Can’t believe it’s been 25 years and they still fit!’.

    The former Spice Girl went on to address their four children, writing: ‘We love you so much’, tagging Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz, while using the hashtag Harper Seven for their daughter, who does not have an account on the app.

    The stunning snaps were met with praise from fans and celebrities alike, with Kim Kardashian branding the pics ‘ICONIC!!!’.

    Both David and Victoria enjoy a close relationship with their parents, as the former Manchester United player is often spotted out and about with his own mum, Sandra.

  • Will Inter Miami return to its dark times in Messi’s absence as David Beckham remains indifferent to the recent string of consecutive defeats? (video)

    Will Inter Miami return to its dark times in Messi’s absence as David Beckham remains indifferent to the recent string of consecutive defeats? (video)

    On the morning of July 28 (Vietnam time), defending champions Inter Miami won 2-0 at home against Mexico’s Puebla, starting their journey to defend their Leagues Cup title.

    Paraguayan player Matias Rojas opened the scoring in the 9th minute

    and veteran Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez added another goal in the 72nd minute, sealing the victory for Inter Miami.

    Inter Miami played without superstar Lionel Messi.

    The 37-year-old striker is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered two weeks ago, in Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final.

    Messi, who led Miami to the Leagues Cup title shortly after joining the club last summer, missed two of Inter Miami’s MLS matches and the MLS All-Star match three days ago.

    The Leagues Cup is a tournament featuring MLS clubs from the US and Liga MX from Mexico, with each group having three teams. The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

    Next Saturday, Inter Miami will face another Mexican representative, Tigres.

    In other group openers this morning, Mexico’s Atlas beat Houston 1-0, New England beat Mazatlan 1-0, Philadelphia beat Charlotte 1-0 and Toronto defeated the New York Bulls 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.

  • Victoria Beckham squashes breakup rumors with i.n.t.i.mate photos of herself with David Beckham, but fans have noticed this unusual detail (video)

    Victoria Beckham squashes breakup rumors with i.n.t.i.mate photos of herself with David Beckham, but fans have noticed this unusual detail (video)

    Victoria Beckham has put certain misconceptions about herself and husband David to bed as they celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary.

    The former Spice Girls singer shared a tongue-in-cheek post about her marriage on Monday, as she paid tribute to David, calling him “my everything”.

    Posting a photo of herself and David laughing and joking, she wrote:

    “They say he isn’t funny, they say I never smile, they said it wouldn’t last. Today we celebrate 23 years being married.

    “David you are my everything, I love you so much!!!!”

    David also posted his own tribute to Victoria, sharing a clip of an old 2000s interview with Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy character Ali G.

    “Beckham, was you into the Spice Girls [before he met Victoria],” Ali asked.

    “No, but I was into Posh,” he replied.

    Captioning the video, David wrote: “23 years ago today Posh became Mrs Beckham, but she will always be Posh.

    “Happy Anniversary WOW 23 years & 4 beautiful kiddies. I love you, we all love you.”

    David and Victoria first met in 1997 at a football match, and were engaged after a year of dating.

    They tied the knot four months later in a lavish ceremony at Luttrellstown Castle, just outside Dublin, which was famously shot for OK! magazine.

    The couple are parents to Brooklyn, 23, Romeo, 19, Cruz, 17, and Harper, 10.