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  • When Diana turned thousands of Americans into ‘avid royalists’: Princess’s 1989 solo trip to New York was a huge success – so will Prince Harry’s visit without Meghan be a triumph too?

    When Diana turned thousands of Americans into ‘avid royalists’: Princess’s 1989 solo trip to New York was a huge success – so will Prince Harry’s visit without Meghan be a triumph too?

    It was a trip that captured the hearts of sceptical Americans, and made Princess Diana more popular than ever across the pond.

    The late Princess of Wales‘s three-day visit to New York City in 1989 – her first overseas engagement without her husband Prince Charles – was a huge success.

    The Daily Mail reported at the time that the tour ‘enchanted hardened New Yorkers and turned thousands of ordinary Americans into avid royalists.’

    Diana embraced a dying young AIDS patient, visited a housing project for homeless people and wowed at a glamorous gala dinner.

    At the weekend Prince Harry followed in his mother’s footsteps by arriving in the city without his wife Meghan Markle for a series of engagements.

    He will be attending events with African Parks, The HALO Trust and The Diana Award, among others.

    Princess Diana greets crowds during a visit to the AIDS unit of Harlem Hospital in New York in 1989
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    Princess Diana greets crowds during a visit to the AIDS unit of Harlem Hospital in New York in 1989

    The late Princess of Wales on her first night of her solo trip to New York in 1989
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    The late Princess of Wales on her first night of her solo trip to New York in 1989

    1989: Princess Diana travels solo to New York in very successful trip

    Diana used her trip to build her own independence and work on humanitarian causes she was passionate about, while also having fun.

    After arriving on Concorde, she had to be escorted into Manhattan by an armed SWAT squad in a convoy made up of ten cars due to threats of an IRA protest.

    Thousands of people lined up to welcome the Princess, with her arrival receiving ‘more media attention than a meeting of world leaders’.

    She kicked off her visit with a glamorous appearance at a party for Dawson International, a Scottish clothing company.

    The Princess wore a classy blue and black dress, paired with a patent clutch bag and a single string of pearls.

    At the weekend Prince Harry followed in his mother's footsteps by arriving in the city without his wife Meghan Markle for a series of engagements. Above: The Duke of Sussex seated alongside outgoing Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo at a dinner organised by the World Health Organisation in New York on Sunday
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    At the weekend Prince Harry followed in his mother’s footsteps by arriving in the city without his wife Meghan Markle for a series of engagements. Above: The Duke of Sussex seated alongside outgoing Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo at a dinner organised by the World Health Organisation in New York on Sunday

    Princess Diana meets royal fans at the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, 1989
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    Princess Diana meets royal fans at the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, 1989

    Princess Diana during a visit to a day care centre in Harlem with the former First Lady of New York, Matilda Cuomo
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    Princess Diana during a visit to a day care centre in Harlem with the former First Lady of New York, Matilda Cuomo

    The princess talking to a child in Henry Street Settlement during her solo trip in 1989
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    The princess talking to a child in Henry Street Settlement during her solo trip in 1989

    A man holding up a cardboard placard with the words, 'Bless you Princess Di in Jesus name' at Harlem Hospital
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    A man holding up a cardboard placard with the words, ‘Bless you Princess Di in Jesus name’ at Harlem Hospital

    Princess Diana walking through the Henry Street Settlement in New York in 1989
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    Princess Diana walking through the Henry Street Settlement in New York in 1989

    The following day, another crowd of people waited to greet Diana when she arrived to the Henry Street Settlement – a housing project for homeless people – on the Lower East Side.

    While she was there, Diana visited a day care centre with the First Lady of New York, Matilda Cuomo.

    In the evening, Diana wore a glamorous gown by Victor Edelstein to a gala dinner for the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

    However, the Mail reported how actor Michael Douglas failed to show up, mirroring another royal snub twelve months earlier when he didn’t accompany Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, to a theatrical workshop.

    Aside from glittering parties, Diana’s most notable part of her visit was in Harlem, when she hugged a seven-year-old boy who was dying of AIDS.

    Diana during the 'Winter Garden' Opera gala for the Brooklyn Academy of Music
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    Diana during the ‘Winter Garden’ Opera gala for the Brooklyn Academy of Music

    The princesses returned to New York many times and often stayed at The Carlyle Hotel, pictured here in 1997
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    The princesses returned to New York many times and often stayed at The Carlyle Hotel, pictured here in 1997

    Prince William, following his mother's footsteps, visiting New York with Kate in 2014
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    Prince William, following his mother’s footsteps, visiting New York with Kate in 2014

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at an awards ceremony in New York City in 2023
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    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at an awards ceremony in New York City in 2023

    Dr Margaret Heagarty, the head of the paediatric unit at Harlem Hospital, said at the time: ‘She is a wonderful person – kind, compassionate and very sensitive.’

    She shook hands with the princess and told her: ‘By coming here today, you have given this hospital and our poor community an enormous uplift.’

    Diana’s impact on the AIDS ward was profound, a man in the hospital even held a cardboard placard with the words, ‘Bless you Princess Di in Jesus name’.

    Everywhere Diana went she was greeted by hoards of people wanting to catch a glimpse of royalty.

    She produced a reaction so noticeable that she was even dubbed ‘Queen of New York,’ by the Mail.

    Diana would go on to visit the city several times afterwards.

    A favourite place to stay was The Carlyle Hotel. She was there in December 1995, when she visited New York for a charity dinner.

    She returned to the hotel in June 1997, when she met Mother Teresa in the city.

    The front page of the Daily Mail on February 3 reports how Diana was snubbed by Michael Douglas
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    The front page of the Daily Mail on February 3 reports how Diana was snubbed by Michael Douglas

    A clipping from February 4 about Diana hugging a child with AIDS at Harlem Hospital during her solo trip
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    A clipping from February 4 about Diana hugging a child with AIDS at Harlem Hospital during her solo trip

    In December 2014, Prince William stopped at The Carlyle Hotel during a visit to New York with his wife Kate.

    During Harry’s own trip to the Big Apple, he will be paying tribute to his mother at the 25th anniversary of The Diana Award.

    The organisation posted a statement from the CEO Dr Tessy Ojo: ‘In our 25th year, The Diana Award is delighted to be leading an event with Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex in New York this September.

    ‘The event will be driven by young people and their insights on the biggest issues facing their generation today.’

    It was initially speculated that Harry’s brother, Prince William, could also be in the city at the same time for the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.

    However, it has been confirmed that the heir to the throne won’t be making the journey overseas.

  • David Beckham whips up a Christmas dinner after zipping around on his motorbike as he gets festive for the new Ninja kitchen advert

    David Beckham whips up a Christmas dinner after zipping around on his motorbike as he gets festive for the new Ninja kitchen advert

    David Beckham zipped around on his motorbike before whipping up a Christmas dinner in a clip shared on Friday.

    The former footballer, 49, who is fronting a new advert for Ninja’s kitchen appliances, wasted no time in getting into the holiday cheer as soon as November began.

    Arriving on a bike with a tree in the passenger seat, David frantically decorated his house as he got ready for the celebrations.

    He then started the dinner, using an array of Ninja products of course, before setting the table and changing into a fun jumper.

    Posting the advert to his Instagram, he captioned: ‘Festive fun with @Ninjakitchen.’

    David Beckham gets ready for holidays with Ninja Kitchen appliances

    David Beckham zipped around on his motorbike before whipping up a Christmas dinner in a clip shared on Friday
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    David Beckham zipped around on his motorbike before whipping up a Christmas dinner in a clip shared on Friday

    The former footballer, 49, who is fronting a new advert for Ninja's kitchen appliances, wasted no time in getting into the holiday cheer as soon as November began
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    The former footballer, 49, who is fronting a new advert for Ninja’s kitchen appliances, wasted no time in getting into the holiday cheer as soon as November began

    This week, Brooklyn Beckham has revealed the all important marital advice that his father David gave him after his lavish $3.5 million wedding to Nicola Peltz in April 2022.

    During an appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna on Monday morning, Brooklyn, 25, was promoting his new hot sauce, Cloud23, when he opened up about married life and admitted it’s ‘continued to be the honeymoon stage’ for him and Nicola, 29.

    ‘Oh my God, it’s been the best,’ he said of being a husband, before revealing that his famous father had always advised him to find someone special since he was a young.

    ‘My dad’s always – when I was growing up – was like, “find that person because that’s one of the most important things that someone can do in their life is find that person that you’ll spend the rest of your life with.’”

    When asked if his parents David and Victoria, 50, had given him any advice, Brooklyn told Hoda Kotb and her guest cohost Laura Jarrett: ‘My mom and dad love [Nicola] and they get along, which I am so happy about.

    ‘And my dad was like, “take care of her and work hard and just always do romantic things,”‘ he added, before revealing why he decided to take Nicola’s family name.

    ‘I kind of wanted to honor both names and when I decided… when we both decided that this was what we wanted to do, I was like, “it would be so cute to have little Peltz Beckhams running around at some point,”‘ referring to having children one day.

    And when Hoda, 60, asked Brooklyn how he knows that Nicola is his person, he replied: ‘I feel like I’ve known her for six years and we were friends before and I feel like when you know, you just know, do you known what I mean?’

    Arriving on a bike with a tree in the passenger seat, David frantically decorated his house as he got ready for the celebrations
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    Arriving on a bike with a tree in the passenger seat, David frantically decorated his house as he got ready for the celebrations

    He then started the dinner, using an array of Ninja products of course, before setting the table and changing into a fun jumper
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    He then started the dinner, using an array of Ninja products of course, before setting the table and changing into a fun jumper

    Posting the advert to his Instagram, he captioned: 'Festive fun with @Ninjakitchen'
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    Posting the advert to his Instagram, he captioned: ‘Festive fun with @Ninjakitchen’

    Brooklyn Beckham shares important marital advice his father gave him

    This week, Brooklyn Beckham has revealed the all important marital advice that his father David gave him after his lavish $3.5 million wedding to Nicola Peltz in April 2022
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    This week, Brooklyn Beckham has revealed the all important marital advice that his father David gave him after his lavish $3.5 million wedding to Nicola Peltz in April 2022

    He opened up about married life and admitted it's 'continued to be the honeymoon stage' for him and Nicola, 29 (pictured at the Cloud23 launch in Los Angeles on October 10)
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    He opened up about married life and admitted it’s ‘continued to be the honeymoon stage’ for him and Nicola, 29 (pictured at the Cloud23 launch in Los Angeles on October 10)

    According to reports, Brooklyn and Nicola’s lavish wedding cost $3.5 million and saw the couple say ‘I do’ in Palm Beach, Florida.

    The bride’s parents Nelson and Claudia footed the cost, with the $494 million fortune of Brooklyn’s parents David and Victoria being dwarfed by the estimated $1.6 billion wealth of Nicola’s.

    The couple exchanged vows at her billionaire father Nelson’s $103 million compound in Palm Beach in front of a star-studded crowd that included Eva Longoria and Serena Williams.

    At the time, Nicola described her custom-made Valentino wedding gown her ‘dream dress’, while British Vogue noted that the ‘romantic, traditional-with-a-twist gown is the culmination of a year’s worth of conversations between the bride, Peltz’s stylist and Valentino creative director’s team.’

  • The VERY beautiful game! Football’s hottest couples vying to become the next Posh and Becks… after Mats Hummels debuted his stunning new romance on the Ballon d’Or red carpet

    The VERY beautiful game! Football’s hottest couples vying to become the next Posh and Becks… after Mats Hummels debuted his stunning new romance on the Ballon d’Or red carpet

    Paris might be the city of love but you would have got good money on tough-tackling German veteran Mats Hummels flying the flag of romance at Monday’s glitzy Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

    Across an impressive career at Borussia DortmundBayern Munich and now Roma, the 35-year-old centre-back has been better known for heading home from corners than being cornered by paparazzi.

    Nevertheless, there he was arm-in-arm with new girlfriend Nicola Cavanis, 25, and putting on his best Oscar-winning grin as the duo prepared to watch Manchester City‘s Rodri scoop up the prestigious prize.

    Suddenly everyone had forgotten Hummels’s nightmare debut in a 5-1 loss to Fiorentina, where he turned the ball hopelessly into his own net, instead carrying the enduring image of the sport’s hottest new couple away with them into the Parisian night.

    Since the days of Posh and Becks – or Billy Wright and Joy Beverley for those of an older vintage – who footballers are loved-up with has long been a part of their brand. Here, Mail Sport picks out the beautiful game’s most beautiful duos.

    Paris might be the city of love but you would have got good money on tough-tackling German veteran Mats Hummels flying the flag of romance at Monday's Ballon d'Or
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    Paris might be the city of love but you would have got good money on tough-tackling German veteran Mats Hummels flying the flag of romance at Monday’s Ballon d’Or

    Across an impressive career at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Roma, the 35-year-old centre-back has been better known for heading home from corners
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    Across an impressive career at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and now Roma, the 35-year-old centre-back has been better known for heading home from corners

    Since the days of Posh and Becks, who footballers are loved-up with has long been a part of their brand
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    Since the days of Posh and Becks, who footballers are loved-up with has long been a part of their brand

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez

    The Portuguese finds himself at the top of almost every list and, not wanting to buck the trend, he and his partner head our line-up of football’s power couples.

    With good reason too. Ronaldo and Rodriguez began dating in 2016 after they met at a Gucci store in Madrid and speculation has been rife over whether they have secretly got married in the last year.

    The 39-year-old Al Nassr star even referred to the Argentine-Spanish model, who boasts an eye-watering 64 million followers on Instagram, as his wife in a recent YouTube video and used the same term earlier this year.

    Whatever their status, it seems the pair have found their dream location in Saudi Arabia with Rodriguez, 30, previously claiming she was ‘so relieved’ to get out of Manchester following her partner’s dramatic departure from Man United.

    Whether it’s zooming around in the former Real Madrid man’s supercars, taking steamy photos at the beach, or joking about on his new podcast, Ronaldo and Rodriguez look a perfect couple.

    Whatever their status, it seems Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have found their dream location in Saudi Arabia
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    Whatever their status, it seems Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez have found their dream location in Saudi Arabia

    Whether it's zooming around in the former Real Madrid man's supercars, taking steamy photos at the beach, or joking about on his new podcast, Ronaldo and Rodriguez look a perfect couple
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    Whether it’s zooming around in the former Real Madrid man’s supercars, taking steamy photos at the beach, or joking about on his new podcast, Ronaldo and Rodriguez look a perfect couple

    The Portuguese finds himself at the top of almost every list and, not wanting to buck the trend, he heads our line-up of football's power couples
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    The Portuguese finds himself at the top of almost every list and, not wanting to buck the trend, he heads our line-up of football’s power couples

    Ian Maatsen and Emely Tuinder

    When the Dutch striker was harshly excluded from Ronald Koeman’s squad for Euro 2024, he turned to his girlfriend Emely Tuinder for comfort, jetting off to Mykonos for a luxurious holiday on a yacht worth £500,000.

    But for this up-and-coming couple, work comes first and when Maatsen received a last-minute call to join up with the side, they exchanged the warm Greek waters for a feast of football in Germany.

    Having said that, the pair do enjoy a swanky getaway from time to time and earlier this year they posted a series of romantic pictures from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

    Tuinder was also spotted in England celebrating with her boyfriend after he helped guide Burnley back to the Premier League in the 2022-23 season, during a loan spell at the English club.

    The left-back swapped Chelsea for Aston Villa in June, having played a key role in Borussia’s Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final during a loan spell last year, so keep your eyes peeled for the West Midlands’ hottest new couple this season.

    When Ian Maatsen was harshly excluded from Ronald Koeman's squad for Euro 2024, he turned to his girlfriend Emely Tuinder for comfort, jetting off to Mykonos
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    When Ian Maatsen was harshly excluded from Ronald Koeman’s squad for Euro 2024, he turned to his girlfriend Emely Tuinder for comfort, jetting off to Mykonos

    For this couple, work comes first and when Maatsen received a last-minute call to join up with the side, they exchanged the warm Greek waters for a feast of football in Germany
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    For this couple, work comes first and when Maatsen received a last-minute call to join up with the side, they exchanged the warm Greek waters for a feast of football in Germany

    The left-back swapped Chelsea for Aston Villa in June so keep your eyes peeled for the West Midlands' hottest new couple
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    The left-back swapped Chelsea for Aston Villa in June so keep your eyes peeled for the West Midlands’ hottest new couple

    Tom and Abbie Cairney

    Tom Cairney is the leader of the pack for his club side Fulham and it appears he also leads a rather glamorous life off-the-field.

    He and long-term girlfriend Abbie Richards tied the knot in June 2023 after dating for seven years, with pictures of the couple and their two young children gaining much attention on Instagram.

    Whether it’s going on holiday with friends to Ibiza, or zooming off to Dubai with the little ones, the Cairneys love a trip away to take their mind off the intense footballing calendar.

    Not that the sport has been giving the Cottagers star any grief at the moment. Fulham lie tenth in the Premier League after an impressive start to the season, although captain Cairney has only played 265 minutes thus far.

    Whatever happens, he seems to be winning away from Craven Cottage.

    Tom Cairney and long-term girlfriend Abbie Richards tied the knot in June 2023 after dating for seven years
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    Tom Cairney and long-term girlfriend Abbie Richards tied the knot in June 2023 after dating for seven years

    Whether it's going on holiday with friends to Ibiza, or zooming off to Dubai with the little ones, the Cairneys love a trip away
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    Whether it’s going on holiday with friends to Ibiza, or zooming off to Dubai with the little ones, the Cairneys love a trip away

    Fulham lie tenth in the Premier League after an impressive start to the season, although captain Cairney has only played 265 minutes thus far
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    Fulham lie tenth in the Premier League after an impressive start to the season, although captain Cairney has only played 265 minutes thus far

    Graziano Pelle and Viktória Varga

    Remember him? The striker who joined Southampton on a wave of expectation but, despite bagging a few fine finishes, failed to live up to the lofty expectations associated with his namesake?

    Well Pelle is now one half of one of football’s most exceptional power couples after he stepped down the aisle with model Viktoria Varga in 2022.

    The former Saints striker loved leading the line at St Mary’s under Koeman but he might have to start getting used to playing second fiddle as his wife continues to rack up the followers on Instagram, now boasting a whopping 608,000 on the platform.

    Pelle may have hung up his shooting boots three years ago but Varga is scoring likes for fun on social media.

    Graziano Pelle is now one half of one of football's most exceptional power couples after he stepped down the aisle with model Viktoria Varga in 2022
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    Graziano Pelle is now one half of one of football’s most exceptional power couples after he stepped down the aisle with model Viktoria Varga in 2022

    The former Saints striker loved leading the line under Koeman but he might have to start getting used to playing second fiddle as his wife continues to rack up followers on Instagram
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    The former Saints striker loved leading the line under Koeman but he might have to start getting used to playing second fiddle as his wife continues to rack up followers on Instagram

    Pelle may have hung up his boots three years ago but Varga is scoring likes for fun online
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    Pelle may have hung up his boots three years ago but Varga is scoring likes for fun online

    Martin Odegaard and Helene Spilling

    The unstoppable phenomenon that is the Arsenal WAGs brigade is well-documented, but Odegaard and Spilling are perhaps the quintessential Gunners duo.

    By all accounts, the captain of Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side is the perfect match for the ringleader of the troupe of partners who follow them home and away.

    Arsenal’s significant others are significantly more reserved, wholesome even, than the trouble-making English WAGs that came before them.

    And at its core is a group, led by Spilling, including Sophia Havertz, Kai’s wife; Tolami Benson, Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend; Milly White, Ben’s wife; and Laura Trossard Hilven, Leandro Trossard’s wife.

    With Odegaard enduring a tough time on the sidelines with a nasty ankle injury, his girlfriend is flying the flag for the couple and is often spotted dancing to Shakira at matches.

    Although, having been pictured with a baby bump at the Ballon d’Or this week, her boogie-ing days may be on hold.

    Martin Odegaard, captain of Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side, is the perfect match for Helene Spilling, the ringleader of the troupe of partners who follow them home and away
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    Martin Odegaard, captain of Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side, is the perfect match for Helene Spilling, the ringleader of the troupe of partners who follow them home and away

    Although, having been pictured with a baby bump at the Ballon d'Or this week, her boogie-ing days may be on hold
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    Although, having been pictured with a baby bump at the Ballon d’Or this week, her boogie-ing days may be on hold

    With Odegaard enduring a tough time on the sidelines with a nasty ankle injury, his girlfriend is flying the flag for the couple
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    With Odegaard enduring a tough time on the sidelines with a nasty ankle injury, his girlfriend is flying the flag for the couple

    Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood

    Man City and England heartthrob Grealish has had mixed fortunes so far this season, scoring for fun in a Three Lions shirt while largely being snubbed by his club side.

    But everything seems rosy for the 29-year-old away from the Etihad after he and childhood sweetheart Sasha Attwood welcomed daughter Mila Rose into the world.

    The midfielder, 29, described the birth as the ‘best moment’ of his life and spent several hours with his child before playing for City against Newcastle at St James’ Park last month.

    Both Grealish and influencer Attwood shared an adorable black and white photo of their newborn little girl holding his finger shortly after her birth.

    Just last year the pair were posing at every opportunity, as the City star scooped up a second Premier League title and a Champions League trophy, and, with all those sleepless nights to come, Grealish will have plenty of time to mull over how to get back into Pep Guardiola’s plans.

    Just last year the pair were posing at every opportunity, as the City star scooped up a second Premier League title and a Champions League trophy
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    Just last year the pair were posing at every opportunity, as the City star scooped up a second Premier League title and a Champions League trophy

    Everything seems rosy for the 29-year-old away from the Etihad after he and childhood sweetheart Sasha Attwood welcomed daughter Mila Rose into the world
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    Everything seems rosy for the 29-year-old away from the Etihad after he and childhood sweetheart Sasha Attwood welcomed daughter Mila Rose into the world

    The midfielder, 29, described the birth as the 'best moment' of his life and spent several hours with his child before playing for City against Newcastle
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    The midfielder, 29, described the birth as the ‘best moment’ of his life and spent several hours with his child before playing for City against Newcastle

    Nelson Semedo and Marlene Alvarenga

    The First Couple of Wolverhampton, Semedo and Alvarenga have settled into the Black Country over the last four years, during which time the right-back has became one of his side’s stalwarts.

    He has seen four managers come and go and is currently bombing up and down the flank under beleaguered boss Gary O’Neil with Wolves slumped in the relegation zone.

    But the pair’s social media presence has charmed thousands of fans across the world and last year the pair got married in a lavish ceremony which brought Semedo to tears (just watch his wife’s gut-wrenching pinned Instagram post!).

    Speaking of bawling your eyes out, Wolves’ performances this season have been enough to make many a seasoned supporter cry, but their Portuguese star can look on the bright side.

    With two energetic children who join the pair on their family TikTok and, more importantly, taking pride of place in Mail Sport’s list of football’s hottest couples, what more could he want?

    Okay, maybe a few points on the board but, as Wolves’ fixtures take a decisive turn for the better, maybe the football will start falling into place as well.

    The First Couple of Wolverhampton, Nelson Semedo and Marlene Alvarenga have settled into the Black Country over the last four years
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    The First Couple of Wolverhampton, Nelson Semedo and Marlene Alvarenga have settled into the Black Country over the last four years

    With two energetic children who join the pair on their family TikTok and, more importantly, taking pride of place in Mail Sport's list of football's hottest couples, what more could he want?
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    With two energetic children who join the pair on their family TikTok and, more importantly, taking pride of place in Mail Sport’s list of football’s hottest couples, what more could he want?

    He has seen four managers come and go and is currently bombing up and down the flank under beleaguered boss Gary O'Neil with Wolves slumped in the relegation zone
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    He has seen four managers come and go and is currently bombing up and down the flank under beleaguered boss Gary O’Neil with Wolves slumped in the relegation zone

    Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward

    The course of true love never did run smooth and when Mahrez made the switch to Saudi Arabia last year, wife Ward had a thing or two to say about it.

    The 26-year-old, who is the daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn and former Premier League player Ashley, even went as far as to say she was ‘going to be the biggest tramp’ when she moved to the Middle East.

    As if sacrificing her lashes and nails to abide with the area’s culture wasn’t bad enough, Ward revealed she had a ‘freak out’ after the hotel in Saudi Arabia told her that only men could use the swimming pool.

    Fast forward eight months and things seemed to have settled, with the influencer boasting to her 2.8m-strong following on Instagram about her lavish beach trips and impressive upgrades to her ‘coffee corner’ at home.

    Trailblazers, party-goers and confident in front of the camera, the Saudi duo are a textbook football power couple.

    The course of true love never did run smooth and when Mahrez made the switch to Saudi Arabia last year, wife Ward had a thing or two to say about it
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    The course of true love never did run smooth and when Mahrez made the switch to Saudi Arabia last year, wife Ward had a thing or two to say about it

    Trailblazers, party-goers and confident in front of the camera, the Saudi duo are a textbook football power couple
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    Trailblazers, party-goers and confident in front of the camera, the Saudi duo are a textbook football power couple

    Fast forward eight months from the move and things seemed to have settled for the Al Ahli star and his wife
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    Fast forward eight months from the move and things seemed to have settled for the Al Ahli star and his wife

    As impressive as the sport's latest set of couples are, they could all learn a thing or two from Posh and Becks - the duo who did it first...and best
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    As impressive as the sport’s latest set of couples are, they could all learn a thing or two from Posh and Becks – the duo who did it first…and best

    And… the original power couple – Posh and Becks

    It wouldn’t be right to delve into football’s finest duos without paying homage to the GOATs – Posh and Becks.

    The pair met in 1997 as they were both forcing their way into cultural icon status, with David scoring 13 goals in a Premier League-winning campaign, and Victoria scooping up her third, fourth and fifth number ones with the Spice Girls.

    In 1999, with the new millennium approaching, the couple had their first child Brooklyn before tying the knot in a highly-anticipated wedding.

    Needless to say, the public’s obsession with the pair was not a passing fad and, 25 years on, any public appearance is greeted with utter hysteria.

    As impressive as the sport’s latest set of couples are, they could all learn a thing or two from the duo who did it first… and best.

  • Princess Diana and the famous politician lover who was caught in a VERY compromising situation in Kensington Palace corridor

    Princess Diana and the famous politician lover who was caught in a VERY compromising situation in Kensington Palace corridor

    They finally separated in 1992 after a tumultuous marriage that saw both engage in adultery.

    While Prince Charles was ensconced with the future Queen Camilla (then Mrs Parker Bowles), Diana had several lovers.

    One who has never been named was a married politician who was ‘famously’ charming, according to royal expert Tom Quinn.

    He revealed in his 2021 book Scandals of the Royal Palaces that the politician, whose identity has never been revealed, was seen late at night in his boxer shorts by a member of Kensington Palace staff.

    According to a former member of staff, the lover had ‘wandered off’ without his trousers and then was unable to get back to Diana’s room because a door had closed behind him.

    He was left ‘red-faced’ as a staff member said good morning to him, Quinn recounted.

    On other occasions, the lover would allegedly be forced to hide behind curtains or in Diana’s en suite bathroom when staff entered her bedroom, because the Princess was ’embarrassed’.

    Princess Diana returning to the Carlyle Hotel in New York after attending several functions, June 1997
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    Princess Diana returning to the Carlyle Hotel in New York after attending several functions, June 1997

    One of Diana's lovers - a married politician - famously got caught wandering the corridors of Kensington Palace in his underwear
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    One of Diana’s lovers – a married politician – famously got caught wandering the corridors of Kensington Palace in his underwear

    Charles and Diana in Seoul, South Korea in November 1992
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    Charles and Diana in Seoul, South Korea in November 1992

    Mr Quinn said he interviewed an unnamed former member of Palace staff, who said of Diana’s politician lover: ‘But he did get caught once – literally with his trousers down.

    ‘I don’t know how it happened but the staff laughed about it for weeks afterwards.

    ‘Somehow, he’s got up in the night in his shorts and wandered off until he found a door had closed behind him and he couldn’t open it to get back.

    ‘Diana quickly realised what had happened, and went to look for him, but he’d been spotted already by a member of staff who just said good morning to him and walked past while he froze, red-faced and trying to pretend nothing was amiss.’

    One of Diana’s staff members, Kitty Power, used to help the Princess to stealthily bring her lovers into the palace.

    She would use techniques including saying they were there to discuss work-related issues, Mr Quinn wrote.

    Some of Diana’s lovers became high-profile. One was Captain James Hewitt, who the princess had a five-year affair with after the pair first met in 1986.

    Princess Diana presenting the Captain and Subalterns Cup to Captain James Hewitt after he led his Army polo team to glory at Tidworth, Wiltshire, in 1989
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    Princess Diana presenting the Captain and Subalterns Cup to Captain James Hewitt after he led his Army polo team to glory at Tidworth, Wiltshire, in 1989

    A perhaps unlikely suitor was art dealer Oliver Hoare - a friend of Charles. He was married to French woman, Diane de Waldner de Freundstein
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    A perhaps unlikely suitor was art dealer Oliver Hoare – a friend of Charles. He was married to French woman, Diane de Waldner de Freundstein

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

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

    The relationship ended when he went to serve in the Gulf war.

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

    Another lover was art dealer Oliver Hoare – a friend of Charles. He was married to French woman, Diane de Waldner de Freundstein.

    Oliver and Diana met at a Windsor Castle house party during Royal Ascot in 1985, Richard Kay previously reported. 

    The princess was said to be infatuated with the father-of-three and was accused of bombarding his family home with more than 300 telephone calls.

    Former lover of Diana, Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon picturd in 1997
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    Former lover of Diana, Hasnat Khan, a heart surgeon picturd in 1997

    Princess Diana and film producer Dodi Fayed, the son of now-disgraced Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, in St Tropez in August 1997. The couple were killed less than a week later
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    Princess Diana and film producer Dodi Fayed, the son of now-disgraced Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, in St Tropez in August 1997. The couple were killed less than a week later

    Neither Mr Hoare nor Diana ever publicly acknowledged the relationship and the art dealer passed away in 2019 aged 73.

    Another former lover was heart surgeon Hasnat Khan. The couple met at the Royal Brompton Hospital when Diana was visiting a friend who was recovering from a heart operation.

    They then pursued a discreet, two-year affair which ended in the early summer of 1997.

    Speaking in 2008, Mr Khan broke an 11-year silence about the Princess to say: ‘I found her a very normal person with great qualities.’

    Diana’s final relationship was with film producer Dodi Fayed – the eldest son of now-disgraced Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

    The pair dated for around two months before they were killed in a car accident in Paris in 1997.

  • Mohamed Al Fayed ‘made an indecent proposal to Diana’ as ex-butler reveals late Princess’ nickname for the predator

    Mohamed Al Fayed ‘made an indecent proposal to Diana’ as ex-butler reveals late Princess’ nickname for the predator

    Mohamed Al Fayed made an ‘indecent proposal’ to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, her ex-butler Paul Burrell has revealed.

    The disgraced ex-Harrods owner is said to have told Diana he wanted to sleep with her, leaving her ‘shaking’ in disgust, it was reported today.

    Diana, who died in a Paris car crash with Al Fayed’s son Dodi in August 1997, dubbed the older man a ‘creep’ and also ‘Yoda’, after the Star Wars character, Mr Burrell said.

    The former butler. who worked for Diana between 1987 and 1997, told of being ‘disgusted’ by Al Fayed’s behaviour – and said that, if still alive, she would support the women now accusing the late tycoon of sexual assault.

    BBC investigation last week revealed five female ex-employees have accused Al Fayed of raping them – and MailOnline revealed yesterday another 23 women have come forward with allegations about him.

    Mohamed Al Fayed, pictured with Princess Diana at a charity dinner at Harrods in February 1996, has been accused of making an 'indecent proposal' towards her
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    Mohamed Al Fayed, pictured with Princess Diana at a charity dinner at Harrods in February 1996, has been accused of making an ‘indecent proposal’ towards her

    The late tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed (right) is seen here with the then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a Harrods-sponsored polo event in Windsor, Berkshire, in July 1987
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    The late tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed (right) is seen here with the then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana at a Harrods-sponsored polo event in Windsor, Berkshire, in July 1987

    Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has been speaking about how she was left 'shaking' after Al Fayed's comments towards her
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    Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell has been speaking about how she was left ‘shaking’ after Al Fayed’s comments towards her

    The Egyptian-born businessman – who died in London aged 94 in August last year – is alleged to have carried out the attacks during his time in charge of the outlet between 1984 and its sale in 2010.

    The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse him of sexual abuse and presiding over a ‘culture of fear’ at the department store.

    Some of those involved claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases, with the results being sent directly to Al Fayed himself.

    Harrowing details of the accusations, including vivid descriptions of the alleged rapes by the women, were shown on a new programme called Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods.

    The store’s current owners have now told of being ‘utterly appalled’ by the accusations and have apologised to the women affected.

    The alleged attacks are said to have happened not only in London including at his Mayfair flat in the capital but also in Paris, at the Ritz hotel which he owned, and St Tropez in France as well as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

    Now Mr Burrell has shared details about what he says Diana told him of her encounters with Al Fayed, who she first met at a Harrods-sponsored polo match in 1986 when she was married to then-Prince Charles.

    The ex-royal butler told the Sun On Sunday: ‘I was in the car when she came running out from his office shaking and told me, and these are her exact words, that he said, “I want you to marry my son because in Egyptian tradition, the father goes first”.

    ‘He said, “I’m going to sleep with you”. She then said in shock, “Can you imagine making love to Yoda?” That’s what she called him. I was disgusted by his behaviour.

    Mohamed Al Fayed, who died in August last year, has been accused in a new BBC investigation of raping and sexually assaulting female employees
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    Mohamed Al Fayed, who died in August last year, has been accused in a new BBC investigation of raping and sexually assaulting female employees

    Former royal butler Paul Burrell says the late Princess Diana (pictured) called Mohamed Al Fayed 'creepy' and 'slimy'
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    Former royal butler Paul Burrell says the late Princess Diana (pictured) called Mohamed Al Fayed ‘creepy’ and ‘slimy’

    Diana also likened Al Fayed to Star Wars character Yoda (pictured), according to Mr Burrell
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    Diana also likened Al Fayed to Star Wars character Yoda (pictured), according to Mr Burrell

    BBC documentary accuses Harrods tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed of rape

    ‘Diana was repulsed by the thought of having to surrender to him. By making that comment, he was setting the stage for that encounter and he was serious.

    ‘He thought that was his right and that it would actually happen – that he would actually sleep with the Princess of Wales. And that was always in her mind all through her romance with Dodi.’

    Mr Burrell described how Al Fayed lavished Diana with gifts including gadgets and computer games arriving at Kensington Palace only for her to send them back.

    He also allowed her to use a secret entrance to his Harrods store in Knightsbridge, west London.

    Diana and movie producer Dodi started dating after Al Fayed invited her and her sons William and Harry to his 30-bedroom mansion in 1997.

    The couple were photographed kissing that summer on board the luxury yacht owned by Dodi’s father, the Jonikal.

    Mr Burrell last night said: ‘We all concentrated on Dodi and the Princess. But, really, the puppet-master was Fayed.

    ‘What he wanted above everything else was to be related to the Royal Family. Fayed bought the boat before that holiday for Dodi to be able to entertain her in private.

    ‘He spent millions trying to court her and his son was just a pawn in his game.’

    Princess Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed's son Dodi are pictured in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez on August 22 1997, nine days before both died in a Paris car crash
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    Princess Diana and Mohamed Al Fayed’s son Dodi are pictured in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez on August 22 1997, nine days before both died in a Paris car crash

    Mohamed Al Fayed (right) with son Dodi at a party for the film Hook in 1992
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    Mohamed Al Fayed (right) with son Dodi at a party for the film Hook in 1992

    Mohamed Al Fayed with the Queen in 1997. His business connections and charity work saw him mixing with high society despite his complaints about what he saw as establishment bias
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    Mohamed Al Fayed with the Queen in 1997. His business connections and charity work saw him mixing with high society despite his complaints about what he saw as establishment bias

    Mr Burrell also said he witnessed Al Fayed touching women inappropriately, adding: ‘His hands would wander. He would literally put his hands on ladies without asking.

    ‘With Diana, he couldn’t go too far. She always had the upper hand because he could not afford to lose her. Unfortunately, most of the ladies that worked for him didn’t.

    ‘She would say how Fayed was always putting his hands on her. People don’t touch members of the Royal Family but I saw him stroke her arm and linger too long, kiss her hand almost like a pet, and put his arm around her waist.

    Mr Burrell added: ‘I don’t think she would be surprised by these allegations because she knew he was creepy towards women.

    ‘If Princess Diana was here, she’d have stood with them, united, and said: “Well, it could have happened to me. It didn’t. Thank God. But I’ll be with you all the way.”‘

    In the new BBC documentary some women claim they were coerced into undergoing invasive medical exams, in which they were tested for sexually transmitted diseases with the results sent to Al Fayed himself.

    The corporation said it heard testimony from 13 women who say they were sexually assaulted at Al Fayed’s 60 Park Lane property in London, four of whom allege they were raped there.

    Harrods began settling claims with women who came forward alleging to have been sexually abused at his hands in July last year.

    Harrods said in a statement to the BBC: ‘The Harrods of today is a very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Al Fayed between 1985 and 2010.

    A BBC documentary says the Egyptian-born businessman - who died in London aged 94 in August last year - carried out attacks while Harrods boss between 1984 and its sale in 2010
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    A BBC documentary says the Egyptian-born businessman – who died in London aged 94 in August last year – carried out attacks while Harrods boss between 1984 and its sale in 2010

    The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse Al-Fayed (pictured) of sexual abuse
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    The corporation says more than 20 female former workers at Harrods have come forward to accuse Al Fayed (pictured) of sexual abuse

    Current owners of the Harrods department store (pictured) in Knightsbridge, west London, have been settling claims made by women alleging they were assaulted by Al Fayed
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    Current owners of the Harrods department store (pictured) in Knightsbridge, west London, have been settling claims made by women alleging they were assaulted by Al Fayed

    ‘It is one that seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.

    ‘Since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible. This process is still available for any current or former Harrods employees.

    ‘While we cannot undo the past, we have been determined to do the right thing as an organisation, driven by the values we hold today, while ensuring that such behaviour can never be repeated in the future.’

    The Ritz hotel in Paris, formerly owned by Fayed, told the BBC it ‘strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that do not align with the values of the establishment’.

    Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on Mr Burrell’s claims.

  • David Beckham and adidas launch new Predators to mark the iconic boots’ 30-year anniversary – with footwear featuring a never-seen-before detail

    David Beckham and adidas launch new Predators to mark the iconic boots’ 30-year anniversary – with footwear featuring a never-seen-before detail

    He made a name for himself as one of the greatest set-piece takers wearing adidas boots and to celebrate the partnership, David Beckham has teamed up with the footwear brand to launch a new collection.

    The adidas x David Beckham Predator 24 marks the Predator’s 30-year anniversary.

    The collection has been two years in the making and fans can finally get their hands on the limited-edition boot.

    The primarily white boots features a classic two-tone colourway as well as the Originals Trefoil, with ‘Beckham’ stitched underneath.

    It’s the first time ever that the Trefoil logo has appeared on a pair of football boots.

    David Beckham and adidas have launched new Predators to mark the iconic boots' 30-year anniversary
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    David Beckham and adidas have launched new Predators to mark the iconic boots’ 30-year anniversary

    It's the first time ever that the Trefoil logo has appeared on a pair of football boots
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    It’s the first time ever that the Trefoil logo has appeared on a pair of football boots

    As well as featuring on the tongue, the Trefoil also feature on thes outsole, heel tap and elastic strap, alongside a bold monochrome design integrated within the iconic three stripes

    Beckham won various trophies at club level — including six Premier League titles and one Champions League with Manchester United — while donning the famous predator boots.

    Accompanying the Predator 24 drop is a signature Originals apparel collection, designed in collaboration with David Beckham and inspired by iconic 70s style silhouettes.

    It includes a Windbreaker jacket, tracksuit set as well as  a tee, shorts and socks.

    The adidas x David Beckham Predator 24 and Originals apparel collection is available from November 7th at select adidas retail stores and the adidas website.

  • Loose Women’s Olivia Attwood admits ITV co-stars are ‘naughty’ behind the scenes

    Loose Women’s Olivia Attwood admits ITV co-stars are ‘naughty’ behind the scenes

    The Loose Women are “naughty” and “silly” behind the scenes, says panellist Olivia Attwood who insists there is “no conflict” between the stars

    Loose Women is “naughty” behind the scenes, according to its new panellist Olivia Attwood.

    The reality star says she has never experienced any “conflict”, despite reports that several of the stars have fallen out.

    “It’s that thing we love, women to be at war with each other – it’s so exciting,” says Olivia, who was entertaining viewing Love Island.

    But there is less drama backstage at the ITV panel show, which Olivia appeared on last week alongside Nadia Sawalha, Kaye Adams and Denise Welch. “I have not seen conflict at Loose,” she continues. “The women have a lot of fun with each other. Like it’s naughty, they’re silly, they’re mates. There’s some of these women have worked together for, 20 odd years. They know each other inside out. And that’s also credit to them for making me feel so part of it, because I’m coming in there with friendships that have been existing long before I was.”

    Olivia Attwood chats to Caroline Hirons on the Glad We Had This Chat podcast
    Olivia Attwood chats to Caroline Hirons on the Glad We Had This Chat podcast
    Olivia says she prepared herself to not resonate with viewers when she first joined the show. She tells the Caroline Hirons Glad We Had This Chat podcast, out today: “I actually really was like, I’ve got nothing to lose here because if the daytime viewers don’t warm to me or isn’t a fit or the women don’t like me, it’s all good training, it’s all good experience. So I was up for it.

    “They said they weren’t surprised at all. And I guess that’s why they’re the bosses and they know what they’re looking for. But I guess I was surprised how quickly it just felt like I’d been there forever.”

    Caroline’s Glad We Had This Chat podcast launches today for its second series, and the beauty guru, who founded Skin Rocks, will tour the podcast next year, interviewing guests around the country. The first episode with Olivia Attwood is available now.

  • Loose Women’s Denise Welch owns up to ‘infidelities’ in double standards debate

    Loose Women’s Denise Welch owns up to ‘infidelities’ in double standards debate

    Loose Women star Denise Welch has always been open and honest when it comes to her past affairs – having met her current husband Lincoln Townley while she married

    Denise Welch is not shy when it comes to owning her past “infidelities” and she did just that on Loose Women.

    Speaking to the panel that included Kaye Adams, Olivia Attwood and Nadia Sawalha on Thursday (October 31), Denise admitted “it was no secret” that she’d been unfaithful in the past and that she’d paid her dues with her affairs being played out in the media over the years.

    The conversation got flowing on the topical ITV programme as Kaye Adams asked her fellow co-stars if they believed there was a misconception when it came to women cheating. She pondered over whether it was looked at differently for females.

    Love Island star Olivia Attwood, famed for her open and honest opinions, was not shy with coming forward and spilling some home truths on the situation. She admitted that her girlfriends “could do no wrong” in her eyes.

    However, did go on to say that she and her friends knew that there were discrepancies when it came to men acting in the very same way as them. Olivia even stated her friends would “laugh about it” often, knowing full well that if a male partner did the same, it would be frowned upon.

    Denise on Loose Women
    Denise owned up to “infidelities” on-air
    Stepping into the spotlight to discuss the same subject, Denise had to nod in agreement with Olivia’s comments. She wondered if it was perceived that there would be more of a “valid reason” leading ladies to cheat as opposed to men.

    It was during this moment that Denise aired: “I do agree that there are double standards, however when I admitted to my own infidelities I was treated like the wicked witch of the west, certainly by the media and probably quite rightly so.”

    Denise and her husband Lincoln
    Denise and Lincoln have been married since 2013 
    Image:
    Loose Women’s Denise Welch/Instagram)
    She had been referring to when she met her current husband Lincoln Townley, although she was careful not to mention any significant details after being called out by her ex-husband on X – formerly Twitter.

    A few years back Denise had been chatting to her co-star about “going behind the bike shed” for casual sex when she touched on her former marriage with actor Tim Healey. He and Denise were married between 1988 and 2012, together sharing two sons – Matt and Louis.

    Denise dressed as a spider on Loose Women for Halloween
    Denise talks cheating on Loose WomenIn a tweet that was swiftly deleted, Tim furiously wrote: “Just watched yesterday’s Loose Women. Denise in her day was talking about how it was ok to have casual sex behind the bike shed even though married.”

    He went on to vow: “Day after day year on year she discussed our private life. Long suffering Tim Healy I am no more xx.” Speaking about her marriage to Tim on the show and the subject of “emotional cheating” she confessed: “My husband and I both agree we held on far too long and we were making each other miserable and thankfully we’ve now got a great friendship.

    “I genuinely used to think that being unfaithful wasn’t the worst thing you could do in a relationship. There were infidelities on both sides… which you girls know about.”

  • Stacey Solomon begs fans to stop shaming her over Pickle Cottage garden feature

    Stacey Solomon begs fans to stop shaming her over Pickle Cottage garden feature

    Loose Women panellist Stacey Solomon took to social media to share her latest DIY project, which bothered a number of her followers

    DIY icon Stacey Solomon shared a wholesome update about the pond in her garden but many fans took issue with the colour.

    The Loose Women panellist wanted to upgrade the pond at her Pickle Cottage and came up with a quick solution to make it look better. Taking to her Instagram Stories, she shared a video of herself getting to work and captioned the video: “Made up a solution to make the pond sides pretty! Found some leftover micro cement from the pool area, slapped it on our leftover pond lining sprinkled leftover stones on it.

    “Let it dry overnight and then tent pegged it in! Really proud of this makeshift invention.” The TV star quickly returned to her Stories to share the results and told fans: “Sorry but I’m just so over the moon because it worked!” She panned the camera around the pond and told fans how proud she was of her work.

    However, some viewers were too focused on how green her pond looked and shared their opinions in her DMs. Stacey read a few messages and filmed herself as she addressed her followers. The star said: “I’ve just been pond-shamed left, right and centre. My pond is green, okay! It’s in the sun all day and grows algae, which makes it green.”

    Stacey Solomon
    Stacey showcased her green pond on social media 
    Image:
    Instagram)

    Stacey Solomon
    Her fans ‘pond-shamed’ her as they were grossed out by the colour 
    Image:
    Instagram)

    Stacey laughed as she continued: “I will put a filter in there but I just haven’t done it yet,” before adding that it’s ‘perfectly safe’ and that the ducks love the ‘green’ as they eat the algae and bugs in the pond. She pointed out how many users were disgusted by the colour. Stacey reminded them that ponds are, in fact, green.

    In the caption, she wrote: “Can we stop pond-shaming me now,” along with a laughing face emoji. A few hours later, Stacey posted a picture of her smiling at the camera as she held hands with some of her children in the garden. The kids were in their swimsuits as they got ready to play in the swimming pool.

    The star said: “Joe’s home fishing with his biggest boy, so I’m on lifeguard duty hoping to tire them out and get a nice early bedtime. Forever grateful to have this in our garden. I’ll never take it for granted. Who knows what the future holds so we will make the most of it every day we can.”

  • It’s not just Meghan! Duchess Googles up-and-coming designers to boost their profile – but royals including Kate Middleton, Zara Tindall, and Prince William have helped British brands soar too

    It’s not just Meghan! Duchess Googles up-and-coming designers to boost their profile – but royals including Kate Middleton, Zara Tindall, and Prince William have helped British brands soar too

    When the Duchess of Sussex claimed that she spends her time Googling small and up-and-coming designers to put them in the global spotlight and boost sales, she raised eyebrows amongst royal watchers.

    While she undoubtedly can be credited with putting the British brand Strathberry on the map, she often chose to wear high-end – and expensive – designer labels such as Givenchy, Dior and Oscar de la Renta on official engagements.

    And, certainly, she is not the only member of the Royal Family to propel British brands to success: many labels attribute their sales boosts to the royal seal of approval.

    REISS 

    Turnover: £325 million

    Royal fans: The Prince and Princess of Wales

    Newly-wed Kate Middleton wore the £175 Shola dress from Reiss for a meeting with Barack and Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace after returning from her honeymoon in 2011
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    Newly-wed Kate Middleton wore the £175 Shola dress from Reiss for a meeting with Barack and Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace after returning from her honeymoon in 2011

    Since David Reiss set up his eponymous menswear company in 1971, moving into womenswear at the turn of the century, he has gone from strength to strength.

    But it was when Kate began wearing the fashion label that sales soared.

    She chose their £159 Nanette dress for her engagement photograph, taken by Mario Testino on November 25, 2010, and the dress sold out immediately.

    Then, she wore their £175 Shola dress for a meeting with Barack and Michelle Obama, at Buckingham Palace, on May 24, 2011, and the company was made.

    ‘I have been in the business for 40 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this reaction, and not just in the UK, but overseas,’ Mr Reiss said.

    Prince William wore Reiss's £285 Parade Green velvet blazer for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in 2021
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    Prince William wore Reiss’s £285 Parade Green velvet blazer for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in 2021

    Prince William and Kate arrive at Earthshot Prize ceremony

    ‘You can’t put a monetary value on this kind of brand awareness and excitement.

    ‘As a brand we’ve always been understated – maybe even too discreet about who we are.

    ‘This has given us an incredible platform without straying from who we are as a brand.’

    Kate has even recommended the label to her husband, who owns their £285 Parade green velvet blazer.

    He wore it for the Earthshot Prize in London on October 17, 2021, and in Singapore, on November 7, 2023.

    But Reiss, who is married with three children, has not let success turn his head: his only extravagance – apart from his Hampstead home – is a Bentley.

    ME+EM 

    Turnover: £120million

    Royal fans: The Princess of Wales; the Duchess of Edinburgh; Princess Beatrice; Zara Tindall.

    Since it was founded by Clare Hornby in 2009, Me+Em has become the go-to label for royals, celebrities and politicians.

    In fact, the label is one of the royals’ favourite brands. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore their £250 Pearl Zip Knitted Pleat Dress for International Nurses Day on May 12, 2021.

    At the Chelsea Flower Show last year, the Princess of Wales took part in the first children's picnic wearing this stunning colour block pink dress from Me+Em
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    At the Chelsea Flower Show last year, the Princess of Wales took part in the first children’s picnic wearing this stunning colour block pink dress from Me+Em

    Zara Tindall wore Me+Em's £295 Shadow Berry Print Maxi dress at Wimbledon on June 11 this year
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    Zara Tindall wore Me+Em’s £295 Shadow Berry Print Maxi dress at Wimbledon on June 11 this year

    Kate wore their £450 colour block silk shirt dress in bubble gum pink at Holyrood House nine days later, when she met leukaemia sufferer Mila Sneddon – they had both agreed to wear pink as it was Mila’s favourite colour.

    The Princess more recently wore the same dress at the Chelsea Flower Show when she visited in 2023.

    Meanwhile Beatrice wore the label for her third wedding anniversary on July 17, 2023, and Zara Tindall wore their £295 Shadow Berry Print Maxi dress at Wimbledon on June 11 this year.

    SELF-PORTRAIT 

    Turnover: £51.6million

    Royal fans: The Princess of Wales; Princess Beatrice; The Duchess of Sussex.

    Malaysian designer Han Chong has become a favourite of the Royal Family, but it was Kate who discovered him first.

    She wore his £320 white lace dress to the premiere of A Street Cat Named Bob on November 3, 2016.

    Kate's first outing in a Self-Portrait dress was at the premiere of 'A Street Cat Named Bob' in aid of Action On Addiction in November 2016
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    Kate’s first outing in a Self-Portrait dress was at the premiere of ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ in aid of Action On Addiction in November 2016

    The Princess wore Self-Portrait for the ladies singles final at Wimbledon last year
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    The Princess wore Self-Portrait for the ladies singles final at Wimbledon last year

    Kate Middleton perfectly in sync with crowd in Wimbledon

    Princess Beatrice looked stunning in his Self-Portrait creation when she attended the V&A summer party in 2017
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    Princess Beatrice looked stunning in his Self-Portrait creation when she attended the V&A summer party in 2017

    That year, Selfridges sold a Self-Portrait garment every six minutes and the brand has continued to grow.

    Chong found out the Princess had worn his dress when someone tagged a blurry photograph on Instagram.

    He said: ‘I couldn’t sleep that night. I was too excited. I could always see her wearing Self-Portrait, but I never thought it was going to happen.’

    The following year, other royals copied Kate. Princess Beatrice has worn Chong’s designs more than a dozen times, including when she opted for the £300 navy blue lace dress for a visit to the V&A on June 21, 2017.

    Meghan nearly broke the internet on April, 21, 2018, when she wore a £300 green floral midi dress to that year’s Invictus Games reception.

    Meghan nearly broke the internet on April, 21, 2018, when she wore Self-Portrait's £300 green floral midi dress to that year's Invictus Games reception
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    Meghan nearly broke the internet on April, 21, 2018, when she wore Self-Portrait’s £300 green floral midi dress to that year’s Invictus Games reception

    CROCKETT & JONES 

    Turnover: £36million

    Royal fans: King Charles

    British shoe brand Crockett & Jones has been a firm favourite of the King for the past 11 years, since he visited their factory in Northampton and was given a guided tour.

    He owns both their Connaught lace-ups and Cavendish tassel loafers and has granted the company, which was established in 1879 during the Victorian age, a Royal Warrant.

    ‘King Charles has exceptional style, excellent taste and an eye for quality,’ director James Fox said afterwards.

    ‘His support of Made in England brands never goes unnoticed, and we couldn’t be prouder.’

    The King being shown around footwear manufacturers Crockett & Jones, to whom he has granted a Royal Warrant, 2013
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    The King being shown around footwear manufacturers Crockett & Jones, to whom he has granted a Royal Warrant, 2013

    ANYA HINDMARCH

    Turnover: £20.5 million

    Royal fans: Princess Diana: The Princess of Wales; Princess Eugenie

    Princess Diana was the first member of the Royal Family to discover quirky bag designer Anya Hindmarch, who set up her eponymous company in 1987 at the age of 19.

    She employed Anya, who was created a Dame in the King’s 2024 birthday honours list, to make satin clutch bags she could hold to her chest when she was stepping out of cars.

    Anya embroidered the letter D inside the bags. Two decades later, her daughter-in-law Kate discovered the label, which became renowned for its limited-edition tote inscribed ‘I’m Not a Plastic Bag’.

    She owns a £350 fan clutch bag, which she has carried three times, on her 2011 Canadian tour, at Wimbledon in 2014, and on her 2022 tour of the Caribbean.

    Diana, Princess of Wales, often referred to her purse by Anya Hindmarch as her 'cleavage bag'
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    Diana, Princess of Wales, often referred to her purse by Anya Hindmarch as her ‘cleavage bag’

    Kate also carried this £350 fan clutch bag from Anya Hindmarch in the Caribbean in 2022
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    Kate also carried this £350 fan clutch bag from Anya Hindmarch in the Caribbean in 2022

    Princess Eugenie holding a £1,300 silver crisp packet clutch at the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in 2017
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    Princess Eugenie holding a £1,300 silver crisp packet clutch at the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in 2017

    However, it is Princess Eugenie, who owns one of the label’s most iconic designs: a £1,300 silver crisp packet clutch she took to the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews in 2017.

    Meghan is a more recent convert to the brand: she was recently spotted holding a £195 leather matchbook keyring inscribed with the phrase ‘Take What You Need’ when visiting the bookshop Godmothers, in Summerland, California.

    The store is owned by her friends, literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson.

    Meghan was seen with this £195 leather matchbook keyring from Anya Hindmarch when she visited the Godmothers bookshop in Summerland, California
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    Meghan was seen with this £195 leather matchbook keyring from Anya Hindmarch when she visited the Godmothers bookshop in Summerland, California

    STRATHBERRY 

    Turnover: £17million

    Royal fans: The Duchess of Sussex; The Princess of Wales

    Strathberry’s £17million turnover can certainly be credited to Meghan, who carried their £495 Tricolour Midi Tote on her debut walkabout with Prince Harry in Nottingham December 2017.

    The bag sold out within 24 hours and phones rang off the hook, changing the lives of husband-and-wife team Guy and Leeanne Hundleby overnight and catapulting the fledgling firm into the big league.

    But the Kate effect was equally potent.

    When she carried out a visit to the closing ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2021, the £295 Multrees Chain Wallet she was carrying sold out within hours.

    ‘Any carry from royals would generate an interest in the brand and a surge in traffic to the site and potential boost to sales,’ Mrs Hundleby said diplomatically.

    Strathberry's £17million turnover can certainly be credited to Meghan, who carried their £495 Tricolour Midi Tote on her debut walkabout with Prince Harry in Nottingham December 2017
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    Strathberry’s £17million turnover can certainly be credited to Meghan, who carried their £495 Tricolour Midi Tote on her debut walkabout with Prince Harry in Nottingham December 2017

    When Kate carried out a visit to the closing ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the £295 Multrees Chain Wallet she was carrying sold out within hours
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    When Kate carried out a visit to the closing ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the £295 Multrees Chain Wallet she was carrying sold out within hours

    The Princess of Wales carried the Mosaic Nano in Vanilla in December at Westminster Abbey, for the Together at Christmas carol service
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    The Princess of Wales carried the Mosaic Nano in Vanilla in December at Westminster Abbey, for the Together at Christmas carol service

    Kate Middleton meets carol singers ahead of ‘Together at Christmas’

    SOLE BLISS 

    Turnover: £10,000,000

    Royal fans: Queen Camilla

    Camilla, 77, has made no secret of the stress of royal walkabouts.

    She once revealed that she used to be ‘screaming in agony at the end of the day’ and desperate to kick her heels off ‘at every opportunity’.

    That is until she discovered bunion-busters Sole Bliss.

    Camilla has more than a dozen pairs of 'miracle' shoes from bunion-busting firm Sole Bliss. Above: Camilla wearing a pair of the shoes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2021
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    Camilla has more than a dozen pairs of ‘miracle’ shoes from bunion-busting firm Sole Bliss. Above: Camilla wearing a pair of the shoes at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2021

    She has more than a dozen pairs of her ‘miracle shoes’, which she buys online.

    Her collection includes the £159 Carmen court shoes and the £159 Ingrid court shoes, which she buys in classic colours.

    Camilla first wore a pair of Sole Bliss shoes – the Ingrid Camel leather block heels – at the Royal Cornwall Show in June 2018 and has since bought more than a dozen pairs, creating a ripple Camilla Effect.

    ‘I was relaxing after a day’s work at my factory in Italy when I first saw a photo online of the Duchess wearing my shoes,’ said founder Lisa Kay, who lives in north London with husband Roger.

    ‘I was so excited I jumped up and knocked over my Aperol Spritz!

    At the Sandringham Flower Show in 2018, Camilla wore a pair of  her favourite Sole Bliss shoes
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    At the Sandringham Flower Show in 2018, Camilla wore a pair of  her favourite Sole Bliss shoes

    ‘We immediately received emails from our customers asking if the Duchess was indeed wearing the same shoes as them!

    ‘I’m delighted and honoured that Her Royal Highness continues to wear Sole Bliss shoes.’

    The Queen has even recommended the label to her friends, including TV chef Mary Berry.

    She said: ‘I’ve started wearing new high heels recommended to me by the [then] Duchess of Cornwall.

    ‘I used to buy all my shoes from Russell & Bromley but now I wear these.’

    JENNY PACKHAM 

    Turnover: £7.6million

    Royal fans: The Princess of Wales

    The sister of naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham, Jenny Packham was already an established designer when she was discovered by the Princess of Wales.

    She trained at Southampton College of Art and London’s St Martin’s School of Art, before presenting her first collection at the 1988 London Designer Show.

    But there is no doubt that Kate has boosted her profile.

    Kate's first official engagement after her wedding was wearing a Jenny Packham frock at the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner in 2011
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    Kate’s first official engagement after her wedding was wearing a Jenny Packham frock at the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner in 2011

    The Princess turned up to the premiere of James Bond film No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in 2021 in this spectacular Jenny Packham gold caped dress
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    The Princess turned up to the premiere of James Bond film No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in 2021 in this spectacular Jenny Packham gold caped dress

    Two years after Kate wore her £3,835 rose pink and organza sequinned dress for her first official evening engagement on June 9, 2011, the V&A Museum held a retrospective of her work to celebrate 25 years of her label.

    Since then, she has become the Princess’s go-to eveningwear designer and Kate has at least eight of her dresses in her wardrobe.

    Who can forget the £4,097 gold embellished evening gown she wore to the James Bond premiere of No Time to Die on September 28, 2021?

    During hers and William's Caribbean tour in 2022, Kate wore this green Jenny Packham dress for a dinner at King's House in Jamaica
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    During hers and William’s Caribbean tour in 2022, Kate wore this green Jenny Packham dress for a dinner at King’s House in Jamaica