"Friend" of Royals Says "Major Shifts" Are Being Secretly Planned for Prince William and Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton has been amping up her royal engagements over the past few months, making high profile appearances at several events including Trooping the Colour and The Order of the Garter Service:
And apparently Kate's increased public profile has been carefully planned as the royal couple prepare for some "shifts" in the coming months.
An anon person described simply as a "friend" tells People that "There are some major shifts coming behind the scenes," and that Wills and Kate are currently building their team as their eventual ascension to King and Queen creeps closer. As the friend put it, "They are really finessing what works and what doesn't."
Speaking of what works and what doesn't, there are rumors that Kate and William are over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle having titles, and plan to formally remove them as soon as William is King.
Another friend close to the couple just told the Daily Mail that "They have asked the Sussexes politely to stop using the style, to no avail, so I imagine William will simply issue new letters patent to formally remove the entire family's right to use HRH when he becomes king. It will likely be presented as part of a wider tidying up exercise to reduce, more broadly, the number of HRHs in circulation. He could, for example, say that only working royals are entitled to use HRH, which seems sensible if you are trying to modernize, or specify that only children of the monarch are HRH, not the grandchildren, which would have the added advantage of making things clearer for their own kids' families in due course."
Or...they could just let Harry and Meghan keep using the titles they were given! Either way!
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The Verge
an hour ago
- The Verge
28 Years Later is a bleak fever dream with rage pumping through its veins
While it wasn't the first film to feature fast-moving ghouls, there is no denying how much of an impact 28 Days Later had on modern zombie movies. It was a gripping and nauseating wonder, whose action felt uniquely visceral thanks, in part, to director Danny Boyle's inspired use of a digital video camera. And there was a gut-wrenching sense of hopelessness baked into writer Alex Garland's script that made 28 Days Later feel far more grounded than most of the zombie films that inspired it. Boyle and Garland stepped back from the franchise as it continued with a graphic novel and director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's 28 Weeks Later in 2007, but they are back together again for 28 Years Later. Though it's set in the same world and calls back to the original, the new film hits very differently because of how much more overrun pop culture is with zombie-themed horror. You can feel Boyle and Garland trying not to echo other big pieces of zombie IP as they weave a new tale about how the world has changed almost three decades after the outbreak of a deadly virus. And in a couple of the movie's pivotal moments, the filmmakers manage to avoid being too derivative. Many of this story's smaller beats feel overly familiar, though — so much so that it almost seems intentional. That wouldn't be a huge knock against 28 Years Later if it could conjure the same kind of pulse-quickening scares that made the first film such an instant classic. But the most terrifying thing about the franchise's latest chapter is how oddly conservative and, at times, nationalistic its story winds up becoming. Though 28 Years Later opens with an arresting reminder of how people had no idea how to defend themselves against those infected with the rage virus in the outbreak's early days, it revolves around a community that has learned what it takes to survive. Like everyone else holed up on a tiny island in northern England, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) knows how dangerous the infected are and how easily their virus is spread. He also understands that, were it not for the island's unique geography — it connects to the mainland with a causeway that vanishes with the tides — his life of relative comfort wouldn't be possible. Jamie and his sickly wife Isla (Jodie Comer) work hard to impress upon their son Spike (Alfie Williams) how important it is to adhere to their community's rules. People can leave the island to collect wood or hunt for whatever food they can find. But they do so knowing that no one will come to save them if they can't make it back to the island on their own. Everyone also knows that, while Great Britain is still quarantined, the rage virus has been all but eradicated everywhere else in the world. And because other countries have essentially left the British to fend for themselves, there's a current of resentment (particularly toward the French) coursing through Jamie's community. One of the first things that jumps out about 28 Years Later is its overwhelmingly white cast. Some of that can be attributed to the idea that these are all people who just happened to already live on the island when the virus first got out. But Boyle also makes a point of emphasizing how capital B British all of the film's characters are, with closeups of photos of Queen Elizabeth II and moments where people remind each other that it's time for tea. The film frequently cuts to archival black-and-white footage of British soldiers marching during World War I and scenes from Laurence Olivier's Henry V in a way that makes British identity feel like it's meant to be understood as a crucial part of the story. This is also true of the way 28 Years Later prominently features a recording of 'Boots,' Rudyard Kipling's famous poem about a British soldier's participation in the Second Boer War. But all of that imagery becomes charged with a very pointed, Brexit-y energy when 28 Years Later juxtaposes it with shots of the writhing, naked infected who have become the mainland's dominant population. The racial homogeneity of Jamie's community is that last thing on anyone's mind as he prepares Spike to go on his first trip to the mainland — an experience that's supposed to help them bond and show the boy what it's like to kill an infected. Isla's terrified at the idea of her son leaving, but it excites Jamie, who almost seems to enjoy his forays into danger. Spike, too, is thrilled to finally get a chance to see parts of the world that he's never had access to. But it's not long before they encounter the infected and are forced to spend the night hiding rather than returning home. Especially once Jamie and Spike have ventured out, 28 Days Later starts to feel a lot like The Last of Us in the sense that its story is — at least initially — about a man working through his feelings about fatherhood in a world plagued by flesh-eating monsters. And the film's focus on manhood (as well as its parallels to other, more recent zombie fiction) becomes that much more pronounced when Jamie and Spike first encounter an alpha, one of the new types of infected. The way 28 Years Later evolves its monsters is one of the more interesting aspects of the film. There are still jerky, sprinting infected who present the most immediate risk, but after decades of mutation, the virus has also given rise to corpulent 'slow-lows' who crawl on the ground, and infected who seem able to form social connections. Boyle showcases the film's new types of monsters brilliantly in a number of action sequences that make heavy use of a unique iPhone camera array that creates shots that pivot around scenes in a very Matrix -y, bullet time fashion. Those shots — of arrows being shot into infecteds' necks and groins — are exhilarating and impactful, but deployed so frequently that it quickly grows tiresome. What's even more exhausting is how, despite the fact that we're told how these survivors have adapted to life with the infected, the film's characters repeatedly make decisions that feel wholly unmoored from reason. This becomes very apparent in the movie's second half as Comer — who delivers a tremendous, if restrained performance — takes on a much more prominent role. Columbia Pictures That said, 28 Years Later is absolutely gorgeous more often than not. Boyle's shots of the English countryside are majestic, but they become alarming as the infected shamble into view. There's one chase scene on the causeway that stands out for having some of the most beautiful visuals ever featured in a zombie film. But the story's rote-ness keeps 28 Years Later from feeling like the product of Boyle and Garland working at the height of their powers. As questionable as some of its messaging is, 28 Years Later is just the first installment of a new trilogy. It's possible that its off-putting qualities are being propped up for the subsequent two films to knock down -- which means that, like the infected, the series will have to evolve.
Geek Vibes Nation
2 hours ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Doctor Who: Pursuit' Review - A Mind-Bending Trip Through Multiversal Horrors
Big Finish Productions sends listeners back into the depths of the Time War with Doctor Who: Time War – Uncharted 2: Pursuit . When we last saw the Doctor, Alex, and Cass in last year's Reflections , Alex had just stolen the Doctor's TARDIS and taken Cass alongside him on adventures unknown, determined to prove that he could do a better job saving the universe than the Doctor does. But unknown to Alex, untold horrors await the pair of them as they journey further into the uncharted. Continuing from where the previous Uncharted box set left off, Doctor Who: Pursuit offers an even more mind-bending exploration of the horrors of a Time War through a collection of thrilling and horrific stories that manage to perfectly straddle the line between epic war adventures and intimate character drama. Put simply, it's Doctor Who at its very best. 'Spoil of War' by Mark Wright When Alex (Sonny McGann) and Cass (Emma Campbell-Jones) arrive at a strange manor crewed by a staff that seems to have expected their arrival, they uncover an unusual auction where little is as it seems. Meanwhile, as the Doctor (Paul McGann) and Hieronyma Friend (Niky Wardley) chase after them, they discover they've all fallen into some kind of an alternate universe ruled by Gallifreyan Sontarans. But what exactly is being auctioned at this mysterious manor and can the Doctor and Hieronyma find Alex and Cass before it's too late? Mark Wright's 'Spoil of War' acts as both a continuation of the Eighth Doctor's previous Time War box set, Reflections , and as a pilot for a new kind of Doctor Who adventure. The story itself is a bit lowkey, with Alex and Cass mostly trying to find their footing in their new dynamic. Who are they without the Doctor? Is Alex really so different from his great-grandfather? And how does their relationship change as Alex desperately tries to run away from his great-grandfather while Cass finds herself caught in the middle of this spat? These are the questions at the heart of the story, and Wright delves into them in a wonderfully thorny and vulnerable way. 'Spoils of War' is Alex and Cass's story, even as the Doctor and Hieronyma lurk on the outskirts of the story, trying to break in. It's the kind of story that acts more as a prelude for what's to come rather than a fully formed story in its own right, but it proves quite enticing nonetheless. (8/10) 'The Tale of Alex' by Katharine Armitage Hot on the heels of Alex and Cass, the Doctor and Hieronyma arrive on the planet of Igg—only to find the citizens blame the Doctor for their plight as Tarsin the Bard (Sam Stafford) sings stories of the Doctor's last visit and how he left the population to starve after saving them from a deadly blight. Meanwhile, Alex and Cass arrived a week earlier, hoping to undo that damage. Time, however, always finds a way to reassert itself, and the planet Igg finds itself caught between two warring potential timelines leaving Alex to decide the planet's future. What makes Katharine Armitage's 'The Tale of Alex' so compelling is that it's simultaneously a critique of the Doctor's habit of leaving a world directly after saving it and an exploration of what might happen if someone like the Doctor did stay to help the citizens rebuild. 'The Tale of Alex' is a story of two warring viewpoints—the Doctor's and Alex's. Alex feels the Doctor's approach to the universe is fundamentally flawed and tries to do things differently, to save people regardless of the wider context of the situation surrounding him. And the drama rests in that tug of war between those viewpoints. Sonny McGann shines here in delving into the notion that the harder Alex tries to rebel against the Doctor and his actions, the more Doctor-like he becomes. Armitage does something quite compelling with her script too, playing with the idea of how stories can shift and change, altering your view of who the 'hero' is and who the 'villain' is. 'The Tale of Alex' asks the audience to decide whether Alex is the hero and the Doctor is the villain—or vice versa—and it thrives in those twisty, shifty, murky waters. It's a clever, well-paced little character study that dives deep into both Alex and the Doctor in the most compelling of ways. (9/10) 'See-Saw' by James Moran When Alex and Cass arrive in 1924 London, answering a distress signal of some kind, they find the city freshly abandoned; a place they shouldn't be able to get to as the Earth has been time-locked to protect it from the Time War. And yet, here they are, hot on the trail of a strange little girl singing a haunting nursery rhyme they feel compelled to complete. Meanwhile, the Doctor and Hieronyma Friend (Lizzie Hopley) arrive in 1924 London, answering a distress signal of some kind, and find the city freshly abandoned. They're in the same time and place as Alex and Cass, and yet they can't see them. And Alex and Cass, in turn, can't see the Doctor and Hieronyma. But what could have possibly happened to London? And what role does the strange little girl and her unsettling nursery rhyme play? After the previous, more character-focused, stories, James Moran's 'See-Saw' offers a dose of psychological horror. Building on some of the themes in 'The Tale of Alex', 'See-Saw' furthers the exploration of how Alex's methods differ from those of the Doctor—except this time, it focuses on how well the Doctor and Alex work together nonetheless. It's a very timey-wimey story, perfect for the Time War series, complete with the kind of psychological threat that makes your brain hurt the more you think about it. But Moran's script works exceedingly well, even if it feels very small and contained. Though the box set's overarching story kind of takes a back seat here, it all feels like it's leading somewhere, with 'See-Saw' the opening salvo of a grander battle to come. As it is, 'See-Saw' offers a self-contained dose of psychological horror in a tightly-paced, immensely creepy package. (8.5/10) 'The First Forest' by Tim Foley When the Doctor, Hieronyma (Niky Wardley), Alex, and Cass crash in the most unusual of forests, they find a world besieged by shifting timelines. But with Cass missing, can the Doctor and Alex set aside their differences and come together to find their missing friend? Or will the ever-changing winds of time bring an end to the TARDIS team? All roads lead here, and this uncharted universe is finally beginning to unfold. With 'The First Forest', Tim Foley takes various story threads led across both Uncharted box sets and begins to weave them into some kind of a tapestry. Expect answers to long ruminating questions alongside a bushel of new questions. Naturally, the less you know about 'The First Forest', the better. But Foley delivers the auditory equivalent of a season finale in the best of ways—it's an ending of sorts that also throws open the doors for the next Uncharted box set. At its heart, though, underneath all of the mindbending shifting timelines, 'The First Forest' is a story of forgiveness. It's the culmination of the Doctor and Alex's journey across both Reflections and Pursuit and even if it's perhaps a bit too easy of a culmination, it's no less emotionally satisfying. Put simply, 'The First Forest' does everything a good finale needs to do; it brings Pursuit 's ongoing storylines to some kind of conclusion while leaving you desperate to hear what happens next. (9.5/10) Final Thoughts Doctor Who: Pursuit proves exactly why Big Finish's ongoing Time War series is some of its most experimental and intriguing work. Sure, it's still very Doctor Who-shaped , hardly straying away from the general structure of a Doctor Who story. But it pushes the Doctor Who format down such unusual avenues, often eschewing the kinds of plots Doctor Who often tackles in favor of telling these very introspective stories set against an almost incomprehensible, unknowable conflict. And that dichotomy is exactly what makes these stories so compelling. They're not bogged down by the immense lore that comes with the Time War, instead the freedom of the Time War's strangeness gives them this palpable energy that permeates every single story. It's Doctor Who at its very best and a must-listen for all Whovians. Doctor Who: Time War – Uncharted 2: Pursuit is available now from Big Finish Productions.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle Makes Lifestyle Prediction Amid 'As Ever' Products Launch
Meghan Markle is gearing up for a whirlwind as she launches new products. The Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle brand, As Ever, officially drops another wave of products today, 20 June 2025, after a hiatus. The milestone moment comes on the heels of a successful first run, during which the products sold out quickly. Launched in March 2025, Meghan Markle's As Ever spans home goods, food items, and other carefully curated lifestyle products. Meghan is officially in launch mode. On Friday, the former actress marked the release of her As Ever products with a new Instagram photo, accompanied by a clear message that things are about to get hectic. Posting to the brand's official account, Meghan hinted that sleep might be off the table as she kicks off this next chapter. "No more sleeps!" the caption read, signaling just how packed her schedule is about to become. The photo showed Meghan barefoot and carefree, swinging under a tree in a scenic outdoor setting. Dressed in a soft yellow puff-sleeve dress, she smiled as her hair caught the breeze, revealing a relaxed side profile. Before her As Ever products officially hit the shelves, Meghan gave fans an early heads-up with a visually tempting Instagram Story that has since expired. The post featured a stack of pancakes topped with strawberries and honey, along with a reminder, "Are you on our list? Don't miss out, June 20 at 8 a.m. PT." The Blast noted that Meghan followed the quiet teaser with a more direct message on her brand's main page, telling followers to "mark your calendars" for the launch. "Oh yes, honey… sweet things await," read the caption, promising the return of fan favorites along with new additions. Meghan had already hinted at the return in a newsletter to subscribers, where she thanked supporters for the strong response to the brand's March debut. While excited about her success, Meghan made it clear that launching a lifestyle brand is not just about pretty packaging and hype. In a podcast conversation with Tina Knowles, she shared the harsh realities behind her brand and why she paused production to get things right before restocking. She broke down the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen, from navigating profit margins on homemade products, making them shelf-ready and desirable to buyers, to the extensive testing and regulatory standards required to ensure the quality of each item. She also opened up about the emotional weight of being a public figure trying to build something real. Meghan said that ongoing criticism and constant opinions about her every move forced her to lean on close friends and her team for reassurance. "You still have to be able to have someone you can go to be human and say, 'I don't know. Can you just tell me that this makes sense?'" She asked. In a surprising twist, Meghan shared in April on her popular podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder" that fear had almost prevented her from building the lifestyle brand she truly wanted, until a conversation with Oprah helped her change course. The 43-year-old opened up about her mindset during the early stages of developing As Ever. "I thought, 'I'll just do small batch jam from home,'" she admitted. That hesitation led her to question whether she was intentionally limiting herself or simply scared to try something bigger. It was Oprah, "a longtime friend and mentor," who gave her the clarity she needed. Meghan recalled the TV host telling her, "There are tons of things you could put your name on.' But for you and how you like to show up for people, once you figure out how to encapsulate your essence, then you'll know.'" The former royal couple is ready to hit pause and prioritize family time. After a packed first half of 2025, Meghan and Harry are reportedly gearing up for a summer filled with travel, rest, and reconnecting with their kids. The Blast reports that Meghan is taking the lead in planning a series of relaxing getaways meant to help the family reset after what insiders describe as a "hectic time" for both. The goal? A stress-free summer centered around fun, family, and friends. The Sussexes are said to be looking at multiple destinations, including wine tastings in Napa, a nature retreat in Big Sur, and stops throughout Northern California with their children. Apart from visiting close friends in Colorado and Canada, another option on the table includes visiting Muskoka, a popular cottage region north of Toronto, where they are expected to spend time with friends who own property on the lake. The launch marks the next step for Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, As Ever, and by the looks of it, she is just getting started.
