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Former glamour model Katie Price is at the centre of drama once again after sharing a photo of her four newest pets – despite a petition banning her from owning any more animals

 Katie Price risks wrath of angry fans as she shares photo of her new ‘babies’(Image: Getty Images for The Cambridge U)

Katie Price has once again risked the wrath of her disapproving fans after sharing pictures of her latest animals. The former glamour model, 47, took to Instagram on Monday to share a glimpse at her new Sphynx cats which she calls her ‘babies’.

The mum-of-five posted a picture of four cats and alongside it wrote: “My bald babies” – referring to the fact that Sphynx cats famously don’t have any hair.

The former model has never shied away from sharing her love of animals and has had dozens of pets in recent years. In 2020, a petition was made to put a ban in place to stop her from owning animals. The petition launched on change.org has since had over 37,000 signatures following some heartbreaking revelations about Katie’s pets.

Her beloved German Shepherd dog was killed on the A24 close to her home, seven months after another of her dogs was killed on the same road. Her horse was also killed on the same road after breaking free from Katie’s fields. In 2020, her French Bulldog puppy Rolo suffocated after becoming trapped under a chair.

Katie posted a picture of four cats and alongside it wrote: “My bald babies” (Image: Instagram)

A spokesman for JRC Bullies – who “gifted” to dog to the Loose Women star – stated to the Mirror at the time: “We are heartbroken that this has happened as we told Katie not to leave a small puppy on its own. We can’t believe that the puppy was left unattended as we had left strict instructions.”

In the petition, the writer states: “A puppy has died in the last 24 hours in Katie Price’s care she bought this puppy for her 13 year old child 3 weeks ago. Which was killed in a accident no one witnessed.”

They allege: “In the last 5 years more animals have died from lack of care. Horses. dogs.cats lizards hedgehogs. This isn’t a single family tragedy. It’s a common thing in Katie Price’s home.

The petition now has 37000 signatures(Image: Instagram)

“2 dogs have been ran over. Puppies were found dead drowning in a neglected swimming pool. A horse was run over on a motorway. Animals just go missing in her home never to been seen again.”

While the petition calls on PETA for help, the animal rights charity has already addressed Katie’s care of her animals – and last year even offered to give her £5000 cash if she signs a legal agreement promising not to buy another pet.

Reports indicate that at least eight of Katie’s animals have passed away under her care in a variety of different ways, including five dogs, a horse, and a chameleon.

When a crucial meeting was called to decide Prince Harry and Meghan’s future, the Duchess was left out of proceedings over fears that she was ‘smarter’ and would be harder to railroad, a new documentary has claimed

The real reason Meghan wasn’t invited to the Sandringham Summit exposed by experts(Image: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

After Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex made the shock announcement five years ago that they intended to step back as full-time working royals, the rest of the House of Windsor was left scrambling. Whilst Meghan and Harry had always seemed confident and at ease during their official engagements, and been firm favourites amongst royal fans, behind closed doors things were not working for their young family – and they decided something had to change.

The late Queen Elizabeth called a meeting at her private Norfolk estate, Sandringham, to discuss the next steps, and finalise what Harry and Meghan’s future would look like, and what, if any, ongoing formal ties there would be between them and the monarchy.

The former monarch brought her private secretary, and invited Charles and Prince William – both at the time future Kings – to the meeting, which was dubbed the ‘Sandringham Summit’.

A new documentary on Channel Five – Megxit: Inside the Sandringham Summit – has seen royal experts come together to explain what really happened at the behind-closed-doors sit down with the senior royals, and it includes some shocking claims.

Meghan was not in attendance at the Sandringham Summit, having returned to Canada – where the Sussex family had been staying for some time – to be with Archie, who was then just a baby.

She had hoped to dial into the meeting remotely, but this was quickly dashed, so Harry had to go it alone and argue his case to his family – and the institution of the monarchy itself – solo.

However, one royal expert in the documentary has made the shocking claim that “the real reason” why Meghan was not allowed to join the meeting was because she was “smarter” than her husband.

Journalist and expert Emily Andrews claimed, “They all knew that Meghan was probably smarter, brighter, had a more linear view of where she and Harry were going and what they wanted and they probably thought they would get a better outcome with just Harry.”

The Duchess of Sussex has made it clear that she didn’t think it was particularly fair that she wasn’t allowed to join the summit that would have such a personal impact on her, saying in the couple’s self-titled Netflix documentary: “Imagine a conversation, a roundtable discussion, about the future of your life, when the stakes are this high, and you as the mom, the wife, and the target in many regards aren’t invited to have a seat at the table.”

Expert Charlotte Griffiths said in the new documentary for Channel 5, “I have to say, on that, I sort of agree with her,” and another royal expert – Jack Royston – echoed these sentiments.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Meghan,” the expert said, “watching from afar as this all played out basically having no voice in the room”.

However, one royal expert – Richard Kay – claimed in the documentary that the rest of the senior royals and their aides, “would have no way of knowing who else would have been in the room with Meghan, would there have been someone making notes? They simply couldn’t allow that.”

Rocker Sir Rod Stewart is due to play the legends slot at Glastonbury this month

Sir Rod Stewart has pulled out of his gig tonight hours before he’s due on stage. The 80-year-old rocker was due to play for fans in Las Vegas tonight but has had to cancel due to ill health.

Taking to Instagram, Rod said: “I am sorry to inform you that I’m not feeling well and my show tonight at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is being rescheduled to June 10. Your tickets will be valid for the new date. Sir Rod.”

Last summer, Sir Rod was forced to cancel a string of tour dates including his milestone 200th Las Vegas residency show as he made a sad health admission. Rod’s team said they ‘regretted to announce’ that Rod would have to bow out as he is still ‘recovering from a summer strain of Covid-19. T he singer was set to bring his The Hits show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to a close after performing at the venue across the last 13 years. However, Sir Rod withdrew hours before what was meant to be his last show at the venue, saying he was “desperately sorry”.

Sir Rod Stewart’s message to fans on Instagram ( 
Image:
sirrodstewart/Instagram)
He added: “Most people can work with strep throat but obviously not me. I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve been looking forward to this concert for so long. My deepest regrets for any inconvenience this has caused. Thankfully we’ll now be returning in 2025 and I hope to see you all there,” he vowed.

According to the NHS, a strep infection can mean patients having a sore throat, a rash, nausea and vomiting and muscle aches. It is often not a serious illness and can be treated with antibiotics.

The star’s latest health blow comes after he said he was in the prime of his performing career and couldn’t see himself retiring in a brand new interview. Sir Rod also confirmed he will reunite with his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood for his set at Glastonbury Festival.

The 80-year-old musician is filling the coveted tea-time legends slot at the music event, which is being headlined by British pop/rock band The 1975, folk rock star Neil Young and US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo.

Faces, who were known for hits including Stay With Me, formed in 1969 following the split of Small Faces.

Rod Stewart is playing the Glastonbury legends slot this year ( 
Image:
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for FIREAID)
Bassist Ronnie Lane, keyboard player Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones were joined by Wood on guitar and Sir Rod on lead vocals.

Asked if he keeps in touch with The Rolling Stones’ members and “other people in music” while on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Sir Rod said: “Not really. Woody (Wood) I do a lot, just recently, because we’re going to do Glastonbury together.

“Elton, sometimes, you know, birthdays, but nowhere near how we used to, I think probably because he doesn’t drink anymore, and Woody doesn’t drink, and I still do. They stay away from me. Bad influence.”

He also told the podcast: “I’ve done it (Glastonbury) before. I did it in 2002 but this is on the legend stage.

“I was only supposed to play for an hour and a quarter, but I’ve asked them ‘Please, another 15 minutes’ because I play for over two hours every night and it’s nothing, but yeah, looking forward to it.”

Faces released four studio albums and toured regularly until 1975, when the band split up and Sir Rod went on to pursue a solo recording career.

Earlier in the week the veteran rockstar was presented with a prestigious lifetime achievement award by five of his children at the American Music Awards (AMAs).

His best known solo songs include Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Every Beat Of My Heart, and Maggie May.

In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his “large-scale world tours”, with his next slate to be held at more intimate venues.

His latest album, a collaboration with Jools Holland, was released in February 2024 and went to number one on the UK chart

To mark Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement, the pair gave an interview to the BBC – and the Duchess of Sussex revealed what it was like to meet sister-in-law the now Princess of Wales for the first time

The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex (Image: Getty Images)

Meeting your partner’s family for the first time is daunting – not least for Meghan Markle, who had to introduce herself to royalty when she first started dating Harry. And the Duchess of Sussex revealed her first impression of her sister-in-law Kate after meeting her at a private dinner she hosted with her then husband-to-be.

Harry spotted Meghan on Instagram in 2016 before asking her out to dinner at Soho House in London. From there, the couple went on more dates before spending a week camping in the wilderness together. After Harry and Meghan’s engagement in 2017, the couple gave an interview to the BBC’s Mishal Hussein and recalled Meghan’s first meeting with Kate.

Kate and Meghan at Wimbledon in 2019(Image: Getty Images)

Speaking at the time, Harry said: “It was exciting I mean I’ve – you know I’d been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didn’t tell anybody at all.

“And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know, being our neighbours, we managed to get that in a couple of – well quite a few times now and Catherine has been absolutely…” And Meghan with a one-word answer chipped in: “Wonderful.”

She praised the Royal Family for being so welcoming toward her and recalled the special moment when she met the late Queen for the first time.

Meghan said: “I think, you know, to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me so that when I met her I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. And we’ve had a really – she’s – she’s an incredible woman.”

Harry and Meghan after the announcement of their engagement (Image: PA)

When Meghan first joined the royal fold, many thought that she and Kate would be able to bond over their shared experience of marrying into the Royal Family. But it seems the two women never really hit it off, due to vastly different personalities, and later Meghan admitted suffering a ‘jarring’ moment on seeing Kate for the first time.

Speaking in episode two of the six-part Harry & Meghan Netflix, Meghan explained: “When Will and Kate came over, and I met her for the first time, they came over for dinner, I remember I was in ripped jeans and I was barefoot. I was a hugger. I’ve always been a hugger, I didn’t realise that that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.

“I guess I started to understand very quickly that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside. There is a forward-facing way of being, and then you close the door and go ‘You can relax now’, but that formality carries over on both sides. And that was surprising to me.”

Meanwhile, Harry went into more detail surrounding the two women in his memoir Spare, as he recounts several times that his wife, Meghan, seemed at loggerheads with his sister-in-law, Kate in the early days of their romance.

He claims the two women had a row over bridesmaid dresses in the lead-up to his wedding that left Meghan in tears and that Kate “grimaced” when the duchess borrowed her lip gloss. And he writes how Kate asked for an apology from Meghan when she accused her of having “baby brain” following the birth of Prince Louis.

Harry also pinpoints the exact moment he realised Meghan and Kate might not have been on the same page during the very same dinner. In Spare, Harry notes how Meghan cooked and that all seemed to be going well as they chatted about Wimbledon and the legal drama Suits.

He writes: “The only possibly discordant note I could think of was the marked difference in how the two women dressed, which both of them seemed to notice. Meg: ripped jeans, barefoot. Kate: done up to the nines. No big deal, I thought.”

Doctor Who fans were left gobsmacked on Saturday when former star of the show, Billie Piper, was revealed as the new Doctor in news which had a profound effect on star Rylan Clark

Rylan Clark was left sobbing on Saturday after Doctor Who’s jaw-dropping twist

Rylan Clark was left sobbing on Saturday after Doctor Who’s jaw-dropping twist. In news which left the show’s legion of loyal fans stunned, former star of the sci-fi series, Billie Piper, was revealed as the new Doctor when current Time Lord, played by Ncuti Gatwa, regenerated.

Taking to Instagram with tears streaming down his face after watching the episode in which Billie, who played the Doctor’s companion, Rose Tyler, from 2005 – 2006 returned to the show in stunning style, Rylan said: “I’ll probably look back at this with real embarrassment, but I’ve just watched Doctor Who and I don’t know what’s just happened. Omg, it’s unbelievable. What a turn out.” Sharing the emotional post, show creator Russell T Davies replied to the TV presenter, saying: “Love you Rylan” with a big red heart emoji.

Rylan Clark had tears streaming down his face after Billie Piper was revealed as the new Doctor (Image: rylan/Instagram)

Rylan popped up in Doctor Who two weeks ago, portraying the host of the Interstellar Song Contest, which is akin to a galactic version of the Eurovision Song Contest, on the BBC’s iconic show.

Revealing that showrunner Russell had given him a special role on the programme, he said on Instagram: “So I have been keeping that secret for a year. I am so excited. I am a massive, massive Whovian. I love Doctor Who. I’ve loved it for years. And when I got that call I was so overwhelmed and I’m not gonna lie, I did have a little tear. Maybe a few more tears. It was the best experience of my life.”

Meanwhile, following her exit from Doctor Who, Billie, 42, went on to make cameo appearances in the series in 2008 and 2010. The actress previously returned for the 50th anniversary special as a separate character, but was still credited as Rose Tyler.

The huge news regarding her latest epic casting comes just days after speculation that Ncuti was preparing to step down from the role.

Speaking about her return, Billie said: “It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse.”

Meanwhile, in a statement released by the BBC, Ncuti said: “You know when you get cast, at some point you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it.

Billie says she ‘couldn’t refuse’ the chance to go back to the sci-fi series(Image: PA)

“This journey has been one that I will never forget, and a role that will be part of me forever. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe.

“The fans are truly the final character and beating heart of this show, and I can’t thank the Whoniverse, and the Whovians, enough for welcoming me in and making this such a touching experience.

“I’ve loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I’ll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor.”

Taking to social media, fans couldn’t contain their joy when Billie was revealed as Ncuti’s replacement. One said: “OMFG just watched the final episode of Doctor Who. Spoiler alert. Billie Piper as the Doctor. WTF.”

A second added: “Billie Piper as the 16th Doctor wasn’t what I expected but hey it is something!” Meanwhile, another declared: “Billie Piper in Doctor Who. In the year 2025. not on my bingo cards.”

Royal experts have claimed that when Prince Harry made a particularly explosive move with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, his elder brother Prince William felt like he was “grieving”

Prince William ‘grieved’ for Harry after shock move(Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

When Prince Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping back as working royals, the country was left stunned by the news. For the couple, things in the royal spotlight had become unmanageable, and they sent out a shock statement revealing that they wanted to give up being full-time royals.

Initially, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had hoped to continue representing the monarchy, but on a part-time basis, relinquishing the public funding they received as full-time working royals, and instead becoming free to make their own money.

Rapidly, a crisis meeting was called, with the senior royals gathered by the late Queen Elizabeth as what is now known as the ‘Sandringham Summit’ – which saw King Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry, the late Queen, and her private secretary meet to discuss the Sussex family’s future.

A new documentary on Channel 5 – Megxit: Inside The Sandringham Summit – dives into exactly what went on behind closed doors at the high-stakes discussion, with experts and commentators providing new insight into the meeting that would come to determine a total split of the couple from the institution of the monarchy.

One royal expert revealed in the documentary that after the discussions were completed, Prince William was left “completely broken” and devastated at the loss of his brother.

Royal expert Charlotte Griffiths explained, “William must have felt such a sense of relief, but also great sadness because he was really, officially losing his brother.

“What I heard at the time was that William started grieving for his brother at that point, really grieving, like he’d lost, not only his mother, years ago, but his brother as well and I think he was just genuinely quite sad, and completely broken”.

There was one notable absence from the Sandringham Summit, however, with Meghan back in Canada, unable to join the meeting remotely – Harry had been left to face his family, and fight for what he wanted, solo.

In the end, Harry even lost his police security – something he said in his memoir Spare he was desperate to keep and has tried and failed for years to have returned to him when he is visiting the UK.

After the meeting, which saw the royals go for the “nuclear” option of a total break, Harry and William retreated to the gardens of Sandringham to spend some time together by themselves, the experts explain the documentary.

“Harry expected to be treated by a harangue from his brother,” said royal author Andrew Morton, but in fact, “Harry got the chance to do what he wanted to do, which was explain himself to his brother,” revealed another expert, Jack Royston – royal correspondent at Newsweek – “and say this is why I’m doing what I’m doing.

“William didn’t argue back, he listened,” the expert continued, “I think it was important for Harry to feel like he had a chance to say his piece, and it was important for William to come away from it feeling like he didn’t turn it into a big argument or shut it down.”

Relations between William and Harry are well known to be icy, with the brother pretty much estranged over recent years.

Whilst William might have felt grief that his brother was leaving life in the Firm behind in 2020, the following year when Meghan and Harry sat down for their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they detailed their reasons for leaving the UK – things went from bad to worse.

In Harry and Meghan’s self-titled documentary series for Netflix, the moment in which Harry receives a text message from his brother in the aftermath of the interview was captured, and whilst the couple didn’t show what the message said, Harry looked close to tears after reading it.

The Sussexes have not been shy when it comes to opening up about their grievances with the Royal Family – with Harry even sitting down with the BBC after losing the latest appeal over his police security and admitting that his father King Charles “won’t speak” to him and that he “doesn’t know how long” the monarch has left.

Whilst Harry expressed his desire for reconciliation with his family, royal expert Jennie Bond told Sky News she “doesn’t know where he goes from here”.

“He’s bristling with anger and resentment and mistrust of the royal household, and despair over his father’s attitude, I suppose. It’s just such a sad and sorry saga. I would hope there might be some kind of reconciliation but although Harry says he wants reconciliation, he doesn’t think he can do that now.”

Fans and viewers of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent have shared their theories as to how 2025 winner Harry Moulding pulled off an ambitious card trick that included sky diving

Britain’s Got Talent fans have been left fuming after ‘figuring out’ how 2025 winner Harry Moulding pulled off one of his daring tricks. Fans of the long-running ITV talent show voted for the 24-year-old magician from Blackpool to win the 18th season of the show.

Harry beat off competition from dance troupe The Blackouts and solo dancer Binita, 8, to win the show. While Binita got to the final on her own merit, both Harry and The Blackouts were propelled to the final by the judges, who used golden buzzers, which gave them an automatic place in the final.

During Saturday night’s grand finale, Harry wowed the judges, live audience, and those watching from home as he executed an impressive skydiving magic trick. He asked Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden to take part in an elaborate card trick.

After several minutes of banter and card selection, it was revealed that Bruno had picked out the three of clubs, Alesha would select the four of hearts, and Amanda would pick the seven of diamonds.

While the judges were already impressed by the stage of the trick, Harry then played a video clip of himself sky diving hours earlier. During his descent, he predicted that the trio would pick the cards that the ultimately ended up with.

Magician Harry Moulding won the 2025 season of Britain’s Got Talent(Image

The judges and audience were left gobsmacked by the reveal, but some fans watching along at home were convinced they figured out how Harry had pulled off the stunt. Fans took to social media to accuse the performer of cheating – and even using AI to perfect his act.

One viewer wrote on X: “How much AI on the #BGTFinal magician’s video?” And another, also accusing AI of being involved, wrote: “Not my cup tea this AI magic #BGTFinal”.

Others accused Harry of using simple sleight-of-hand tricks or using reflections to perfect his stunt. One wrote: “#BGT he can see the card in the camera.” And another fan typed: “They have all put their card on the top #BGT.”

Other viewers were stunned by the performance, however, and went on to cheer for the winner. One wrote on X: “I’m not usually a fan of magicians, but this guy is brilliant and really enjoyable to watch #BGTFinal.”

And another fan gushed: “I dont care what anyone says but Harry Moulding deserves to win. All my votes goes to him #BGTFinal.”

Harry was indeed crowned winner of the 2025 season – with the awestruck magician telling hosts Ant and Dec: “I can’t believe what is going on.”

Snatching the microphone from Declan, he continued: “Thank you, everyone, so, so much. I genuinely feel like everyone has been behind me. This has been the most incredible journey. I can’t believe that I’m here. Thank you.”

His victory came after he wowed the judges with his tricks. Alesha gushed during the show: “Every time we see you, you up the level, you take it to the next level, and your imagination and the way you present your act is just astonishing. You’re so likeable.”

And head judge Simon Cowell added his commendation, remarking how Harry was “so good, but so humble”.

He further commented: “This show, genuinely, is about finding people like you who, for whatever reason, haven’t had the break they deserve. And you do deserve this break, I really think the audience are going to get behind you.”

After being crowned winner, Harry has the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance later this year and has also pocketed a whopping £250,000 cash prize.

Athlete and Loose Women star Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down after running into a health issue, admitting she ‘overdid it’.

Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down after running into a health issue(Image: Simon John Owen)

Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed how she was forced to slow down this year after feeling extreme burnout amid her busy schedule.

The Olympian, 55, who is known for her impressive career as a middle distance runner, admitted to Mirror that a busy year last year left her unable to carry on. “I was travelling all over the world, often doing five or six speaking engagements a week, I had my big 20-year medal celebrations and visiting Machu Picchu for charity. But burnout is a big issue for me, by January I could feel something wasn’t right health wise,” she explained.

Kelly, who is now a regular on the Loose Women panel, continued, “I took it as a sign that, while last year was amazing, I overdid it, and I couldn’t do the same this year.

“I can’t jump out of bed every day full of energy, and not every day is motivating. If I’m not feeling up to it, I don’t need to run the half-marathon, for example, I’d rather be there in full spirit and energising everybody else.”

Dame Kelly is known for her impressive athletic career, but admits she has had to slow down this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Explaining that the time enjoying a slower pace of life has been one she’s enjoyed, Kelly said: “I’ve been able to look at every part of how I deal with things now, and that’s a real strength. Over the last four or five months, I think I’ve spent more timeat home than I have in years. I love being out in the garden – and with my alpacas!”

However, as Kelly says she still aims for 12,500 steps a day, often takes part in parkruns and keeps her nutrition in check, it’s clear she’s still more active than many.

She said: “I try to move every day, and that might be walking to a job rather than getting an Uber, because I’ll get my steps in and I can people watch! I use it as a wellbeing tool to make me feel good about myself. On a weekend, we might go paddleboarding or on a dog walk or meet up with friends.”

The athlete now enjoys more time at home with her pet alpacas(Image: Supplied)

And adding another thing to her busy roster, Kelly is the official ambassador for vitamin brand Solgar’s wellness partnership with The AJ Bell Great Run series this summer.

“I’m a huge fan of inspiring and motivating people to keep fit and moving in their lives – especially as we get older. Fitness has always been part of my life, but I’m at a point where I really understand the need for us to look at our overall wellbeing.

“So I’ve been going to the runs and it’s just been the best. I’ve seen people of all ages getting their moment when they cross the finish line,” she said of the partnership.

Kelly added: “Also, I’ve seen a huge amount of young women, in their mid-to-late twenties, taking part – more than I’d normally see. It was so positive to see that generation into their fitness and not being embarrassed or worried about the old vision of what women “should” look like. It’s changed, athletic, strong bodies are seen as beautiful now.

Names and titles continue to be a highly sensitive subject for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It has now been revealed Prince Harry reportedly explored ways with Earl Spencer to change his family name

It is understood Prince Harry (right) discussed changing his family name with Earl Spencer (left)

Prince Harry reportedly sought advice from Princess Diana ‘s brother about changing his family name.

It’s been almost thirty years since Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris at the age of 36. Her younger brother Earl Spencer was just 32 years old at the time, while their sister Sarah and Jane were 42 and 40 years old.

Earl Charles Spencer recently made a heartbreaking admission about her death during a special episode of Loose Men. The Earl made his debut as a panellist on Loose Men today, as the panel were talking about their close bonds with their siblings.

Explaining how it felt to lose a sibling, Earl Spencer said it’s like an “amputation.” He later revealed that for years after his sister’s tragic death, he thought he had to “ring her to tell her something” – before realising he couldn’t anymore.

Earl Spencer on Loose Men(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The Duchess of Sussex gave up her royal title along with husband Prince Harry when they stepped down as senior royals in March 2020. They still retain the HRH titles, which Harry has had since birth, but are not supposed to use them for commercial purposes.

Names and titles continue to be a highly sensitive subject for the pair. The Sussex title was given to the pair on the morning of their wedding in May 2018 by Prince Harry’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

But, the Mail on Sunday has revealed Prince Harry explored ways to take his mother’s surname and ditch Mountbatten-Windsor, used by his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet and a name cherished by King Charles.

It is understood Prince Harry discussed the issue with Earl Spencer during a rare visit to Britain, but was told that the legalities surrounding the change were to great to overcome. A friend of Prince Harry told MailOnline: “They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step”.

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry (Image: Getty Images)

The surname Mountbatten-Windsor is only available to descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It combines the Royal Family ‘s name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh ‘s adopted surname.

Royal author Tom Bower has claimed that ‘Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana’. If the name change had succeeded, Meghan’s daughter would have become Lilibet Diana Spencer.

According to the Government, you do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, but it suggests on its official website using a ‘deed poll’ to apply for or to change official documents such as a passport or driving licence.

She’s been with hairdresser Michael since 2017

Davina McCall is a UK television icon, from her decade hosting Big Brother to her presenting duties on ITV’s Long Lost Family and her role as a judge on The Masked Singer. But what do we know about her personal life with boyfriend Michael Douglas?

Hairdresser Michael, who has been with Davina, 57, since 2017, is set to appear on Katie Piper’s Weekend Escape on Sunday (June 1). And, although they don’t discuss their relationship often, they have dropped a couple of tidbits about their personal life…

Davina has been with Michael since 2017 (Credit: ITV)

Why Davina McCall and boyfriend Michael Douglas keep relationship private

Davina doesn’t often discuss her relationship with Michael. The presenter said previously that they have an agreement not to talk about it in public. She said: “We’ve got an agreement that I don’t talk about our relationship, because our exes and kids don’t have a right to reply, so it’s not fair. Privacy keeps our relationship special to us. There’s something lovely about it and that’s all it is. It keeps it really magical and I like that.

“I would never talk about how our relationship works, about arguments or even things like what we eat for breakfast and who drives the other crazy. I want to keep that for me,” she said. Davina added: “I will give you guys everything. But there are one or two things that I just want to keep to myself, and he’s one of them.”

Davina separated from her second husband, Pet Rescue presenter Matthew Robertson, in November 2017, the same year she began dating Michael. They went public with their relationship in May 2019, at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Davina gets her hair done by Michael in 2020 (Credit: Cover Images)

They’ve known each other for years

It’s thought that the couple have known each other for over 20 years, after Michael styled Davina’s hair for TV. It’s also thought that they worked on Big Brother together.

Davina told Fabulous magazine: “We just get on really well at work and we always have done – that’s never changed.”

Before they entered a relationship, Davina had called Michael one of her “favourite people” when sharing a link to a podcast he had appeared on.

Blended family and ‘devastating blow’

As a result of their long friendship, Michael had met Davina’s family and children before their relationship became a romantic one. Davina has two daughters, Holly and Tilly, and a son, Chester, with Matthew. Michael, meanwhile, has two sons with his ex-wife Tracey Douglas, previously friends with Davina, and Davina met them before they became a couple.

Friends told The Sun at the time that Tracey was “devastated” to learn that Michael and Davina began dating months after they ended their marriage. They said that she had no idea about the romance until it hit the papers.

They said: “Davina had met their children and was the last person Tracey ever thought Michael would end up with. The family had been there for Davina during her split with Matthew. And, Michael was very much a confidante to her.

“So Tracey knew all the ins and outs and was supportive. To find out they are dating, and that they’d been showing off their new relationship in public was an absolutely devastating blow for Tracey.”

They live and make a podcast together

Since January 2020, Davina and Michal have hosted a podcast, Making The Cut, together. Davina has said about the podcast: “I love doing the podcast with him. It’s basically an extension of what we’ve always done as friends, which is recommend things to each other.”

Davina and Michael moved in together in 2022, after five years of dating. She said on their podcast in January 2023: “I am quite enjoying being a new couple doing new things, because we are newly living together. It’s quite nice making new traditions because we did that before Christmas. We sat down together and talked about it: ‘Okay, blank space, what shall we make tradition from now on?’”

She’s paid tribute to Michael when making speeches after winning awards, too. After she won the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards in 2024, and thanked her loved ones, she turned to him and said: “Thank you, I love being on this journey with you. You make me a better person and you make me so happy.”

After she won Inspiration of the Year at the Inspiration Awards in 2023, she told HELLO! that she regretted not thanking him in her speech then. She said: “I didn’t say thanks to Michael, who’s my partner, in my speech. I feel sad about that because he makes me a much better person and he makes me skip to work in the morning and I’m very lucky to have that so I just want to say thank you to him as well.”

Michael nursed Davina back to health after brain surgery (Credit: Splash News)

‘So angry with him’

Devoted Michael also nursed Davina after she underwent brain surgery – even if she was annoyed with him when he pushed her back into work!

Paying tribute to her beau, Davina said: “Michael said to me: ‘I know you; I know how much you love work and how much it means to you.’ He said: ‘I know you’re scared. But this is the final piece of the jigsaw. And I think it’s gonna make a big difference when you go back.’

“I was so angry with him. But when I went back, at the end of the day I sat in the car and was like: ‘Yes!’ It felt so good to see everybody and to be back to normal. It felt like something normal I could do that I love.”