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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Meghan 'clung' to Harry while pregnant so she wouldn't fall over at royal events
In the final episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan candidly opened up about why, during her pregnancies, she would 'cling' to Prince Harry to make sure she didn't fall over The first series of Meghan's podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, has come to a close, with the final episode seeing Meghan sit down with the founder of SPANX, Sara Blakely. Towards the end of the wide-ranging discussion, which saw the women discuss everything from manifestation to family, Blakely discussed her new venture with the Duchess: a company called Sneex, which makes a brand new kind of hybrid shoe that combines heels with trainers. During their chat, the Duchess discussed her own experiences wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes at royal events during her first pregnancy with Prince Archie, a period of time which also saw her seriously struggle with her mental health. Meghan also admitted that in both her pregnancies, she gained quite a lot of weight - 4.6 stone or 29 kilos - which made wearing stilettos even harder. "A friend just said to me the other day, 'I just saw this picture I had forgotten about when you were so pregnant with Archie'" Meghan explained in the candid discussion, "I mean I gained 65 pounds with both pregnancies, 'and you're in these five-inch' - I always wear my five-inch pointy-toed stilettos - they're like 'You have the most enormous bump, and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels'. "But all of my weight was in the front, so you're just going 'How on earth am I not just tipping, you know, face-planting, I'm always clinging very closely to my husband like 'Please don't let me fall!' "Well, you created the antidote," Meghan said. During her pregnancy with Archie, Meghan was still a working royal and had to attend a myriad of high-profile events. A royal tour in Australia meant she and Harry "had to" announce her pregnancy in October 2018, they revealed in their self-titled Netflix documentary. From the Fashion Awards to the Commonwealth Day service, there were many formal events where Meghan donned her trademark stilettos, but one in particular at the Royal Albert Hall, she revealed in 2021, was also the night that she shared with Harry that she was suffering from suicidal thoughts. Meghan admitted to Oprah that she was "haunted" by photographs of the pair at the Sentebale event, which took place at one of her lowest points, particularly when seeing "how tightly his knuckles are gripped around mine". For his part, Harry has expressed regret over how he handled Meghan's admission, "What took over my feelings was my royal role. I had been trained to worry more about 'What are people gonna think if we don't go to this event? We're going to be late.' Looking back at it now, I hate myself for it.' He said in the couple's documentary series, 'What she needed from me was so much more than I was able to give." During the episode, Sara dived into why she wanted to "invent a comfortable high heel" because she never bought into the common idea that "beauty is pain" and explained that after four years of trying to make a "traditional stiletto" that was ten times more comfortable than what we're all used to, she called it quits, and made a major pivot toward a totally new kind of shoe altogether. "It was more comfortable, Meghan," Blakely explained, "but it wasn't exponentially more comfortable, so I looked at my team, of just two girls that I absolutely adore, and I, through tears, said, we're going to pull like the plug. We tried, and it's not there. "Because as someone who invents and creates products, especially if I'm going to launch a new company or brand around it, I always say I have a mental check that it needs to be 10x better than anything else out there, and it was maybe 4x better, but to me, that wasn't a big to spend my time and energy". Sara then decided to see if it were possible to "merge a sneaker with a stiletto". Meghan then shared that when launching her recent lifestyle brand - As Ever - she herself had to "pivot" away from ideas to which she had been pretty wedded about how her jams would look, realising that as she wanted to scale the size of her company, her original "charming and darling" designs of "jam hats" wouldn't be possible to implement. Over the course of her podcast series, Meghan has made a series of candid admissions during her chats with impressive female businesswomen, including the revelation that she suffered from postpartum preeclampsia, a "rare and scary" condition, which is caused by high blood pressure after birth and can potentially result in serious health issues such as organ failure or strokes. "The world doesn't know what's happening quietly,' Meghan said. 'And in the quiet, you're still trying to show up for people, mostly for your children, but those things are huge medical scares." Her guest Whitney responded: 'I mean, life or death, truly.' Meghan also opened up about suffering from a miscarriage in 2020, saying to one of her guests, "I'll bring this up if you are comfortable talking about it... I have spoken about the miscarriage we experienced. And I think in some parallel way, when you have to learn to detach from the thing that you have so much promise and hope for and to be able to be OK at a certain point to let something go, something go that you plan to love for a long time." Confessions of a Female Founder is Meghan's second foray into the podcasting world. It follows her first show, Archetypes, which was produced by Spotify and cancelled after one series. Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the royals get back to their normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The new podcast, produced by Lemonada Media, has received a pretty mixed response from critics. One called the series "sycophantic" and another said it was "45 minutes of platitudes." However, the first episode did make the Top 10 overall podcast charts and took the number one spot amongst business podcasts, though it has since dropped off.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Commonwealth Day 2025: When is it celebrated in India? Check date, theme, history & significance
Commonwealth Day 2025: In India, Commonwealth Day 2025 will be observed on May 24. This is different from most Commonwealth countries that celebrate it on March 10, 2025. The date in India marks the birth anniversary of Queen Victoria. She was born on May 24, 1819. This shows India's historical link to the British Empire. What is Commonwealth Day 2025? Commonwealth Day 2025 will be celebrated on May 24 in India. The day brings together 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. They come together to celebrate shared values, history, and cooperation. This year, the events will focus on unity, diversity, and sustainable development. Commonwealth Day 2025 Theme: 'Together We Thrive' The official theme for Commonwealth Day 2025 is 'Together We Thrive.' It highlights unity, resilience, and shared progress. The theme celebrates the collective spirit of the 56 Commonwealth nations. It also shows the power of cooperation among people across the world. History of Commonwealth Day and Its Observance in India Commonwealth Day was originally called Empire Day. It was first celebrated in 1904. The day honoured the British Empire and Queen Victoria's birthday. In 1958, UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan renamed it Commonwealth Day. Most Commonwealth countries now observe it on the second Monday in March. But, India still celebrates it on May 24. This keeps the tradition linked to Queen Victoria's birth. Significance of Commonwealth Day 2025 for India Historical Ties: The day shows India's colonial past. It also tells the story of India's growth as an important Commonwealth member since 1947. Cultural Unity: It helps promote cultural exchange and better understanding among Commonwealth countries. Global Cooperation: India uses the Commonwealth to support diplomacy, trade, and deal with global issues like climate change. Youth and Development: The day highlights youth empowerment and sustainable development, matching the Commonwealth's values. How is Commonwealth Day Celebrated in India? In India, Commonwealth Day is celebrated by: Educational programs that teach about the Commonwealth's values. Cultural events that show India's diverse heritage and its ties to the Commonwealth. Ceremonies honouring Queen Victoria's legacy and the day's historical importance. Commonwealth Day 2025: Key Facts and Dates Below are the important facts and dates for Commonwealth day 2025 listed:
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William Will Be the ‘Toughest Ruler' the Royal Family ‘Has Ever Seen' as He Clashes With King Charles
They've both been going about their business as usual. In the past few months, King Charles and Prince William carried out packed schedules — making official visits to Italy and Estonia, respectively, with William also filling in for his father at the pope's funeral in Rome in April — while occasionally crossing paths for events like Commonwealth Day in March. But William and Princess Kate Middleton's decision to skip a private Easter celebration with the rest of the royals raised eyebrows, with many reports suggesting that the king defied his son's wishes by inviting Charles' scandal-plagued brother Prince Andrew. A week later, Meghan Markle's continued usage of the HRH title caused a fuss, with the Daily Beast reporting that an 'enraged' William would put a stop to such insolence when he's king — and that a too-complacent Charles has 'lost control.' There's no doubt William has been flexing his muscles, especially in the wake of Charles' cancer diagnosis. 'William's voice and influence have become louder and more pronounced in recent years,' former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells In Touch. 'He is now very much the king in waiting, and his views of how the monarchy should adapt and evolve are being listened to.' And while some insiders insist father and son simply have opposing opinions on how to handle certain hot-button issues, others claim the royal rift goes much deeper — and a tense battle over the crown is underway. As Omid Scobie wrote in his 2023 book, Endgame, the 'brewing power struggle between the favored prince and the unpopular king is Shakespearean — a familial tug-of-war waged both onstage and off that has the potential to unravel the monarchical tapestry.' Their ideas about managing wayward royals are at the heart of the conflict. 'I believe William was a significant voice in how Prince Harry and Meghan should be treated, and also in how his uncle, Andrew, should be dealt with,' Bond tells In Touch, acknowledging that Charles, 76, may be more forgiving on both counts. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams agrees that William's approach to Harry has 'hardened considerably after the way the Sussexes have attacked the royal family' and tells In Touch that Charles has 'a certain empathy' for his little brother 'which William does not share.' Charles has even reportedly sided with Andrew over William in the past. In Endgame, Scobie suggested that William, 42, was 'irked' by how Charles and Andrew manipulated Queen Elizabeth II into firing a trusted aide back in 2017, removing the one person who many courtiers believed could have handled Megxit in 2020 without destroying the family. 'It may be that the King regrets' that decision in hindsight, agrees Fitzwilliams. And yet by many accounts, the scheming behind palace walls continued. Scobie also alleged in Endgame that Charles, 'jealous of Harry's popularity with the media and William's preferred status in the Firm, has been known to turn a blind eye while aides leak details about his sons to the press,' and the 'tussle for the spotlight has only heightened since Charles became king.' Harry made similar claims in Spare, and Scobie has pointed out that the scandals stirred up by headlines detract from the real story 'that's sort of playing out under our noses,' he told Business Insider in 2023. 'I've really noticed this kind of growing divide between Charles and William.' Their goals are not necessarily aligned. 'Their style is different, so are their ages. William will want a changed monarchy which appeals in the future in a different way,' Fitzwiliams tells In Touch. Compared to his father, William is already said to be 'more diplomatic' says Fitzwilliams, and 'informal,' says Bond. The one person who's caught in the middle? Princess Kate, 43. 'She is solution-focused and is certainly the glue' that holds William and Charles together when they don't 'see eye-to-eye,' royal broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News earlier this year, while royal author Robert Jobson called her a 'stabilizing influence' on William in his 2024 book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales. Most insiders agree that she's helped William prioritize family over duty, which will likely continue when they become king and queen. And while Bond insists he's in no rush to formally take the throne, William has started making plans. He famously told reporters last year that he wanted to put 'a smaller 'r' in the Royal.' Behind the scenes, he's already taking charge, a royal insider recently told In Touch. 'As soon as Charles bestowed more responsibility on him, William seized the opportunity to make decisions that he feels will benefit the Crown,' said the insider, adding that he's focused on 'trimming the fat' and monitoring spending like never before. 'The word is he's already on his way to being the toughest ruler the family has ever seen.' Charles knows that most people — even at the palace — are eagerly anticipating William's reign, which only 'adds insult to injury,' Scobie wrote in Endgame, in which he quotes a source as saying that even William sees his father as a 'transitional monarch, paving the way for his arrival.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Kate Middleton's Appearances Are More Curated Than Before Her Health Scare Last Year
Following her cancer diagnosis in 2024, Kate Middleton's return to royal life continues into 2025. Though she is certainly back on royal duty, the Princess of Wales's public appearances are more curated and selective than before her diagnosis. Royal biographer Robert Jobson said that it's now 'more important for her to prioritize herself' than to force 'herself to be the best all the time.'After being away from public life for most of 2024 following a major abdominal surgery and a subsequent cancer diagnosis, Kate Middleton is making a gradual return to royal life this year, taking part in annual staples in the royal diary like Commonwealth Day, special events like VE Day commemorations, and royal engagements, like her surprise appearance last week at an event for the British Fashion Council. While the Princess of Wales's schedule isn't as jam-packed as it used to be prior to 2024, the return is happening—on her own terms. Cancer is certainly breeding ground for a life reset, and there's no doubt that the future queen realized what matters most during her illness—her family that she shares with husband Prince William. 'Some people who have a life-changing experience, it makes them realize they don't have all the time in the world,' royal biographer Robert Jobson told The Sun. 'Catherine has always put a huge amount of pressure on herself, but she is now more forgiving, not forcing herself to be the best all the time.' In order to get put on her schedule, 'A public engagement, a tour, or a project has to be okay for her—to suit her—rather than she has to do something for appearance's sake or just because she's royal,' he continued. 'It's more important for her to prioritize herself, whether that may be going to the gym or playing tennis. The reason for this shift is partly the cancer and partly because she's more comfortable in her role.' A close friend of Kate's told the outlet, 'Last spring and early summer, things were really very tough. Catherine was very ill, and William genuinely had to confront the possibility that he could lose his wife and his father' King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. (While Kate announced in January that she is in remission, the King's cancer treatment continues.) 'Keeping things as normal as possible for the 'kiddies,' as Catherine calls them, was paramount,' the friend added of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. 'Her mum [Carole Middleton] in particular was a tower of strength and support.' As was the healing power of nature and being outdoors, which Kate has opened up about many times in the past year. 'The princess herself has spoken movingly over the past 13 months of the power that nature has played in her recovery,' a palace source said. 'That is definitely a message of both her private life and her public work going forward.' Read the original article on InStyle
North Wales Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Royal family hijacked VE Day anniversary, says republican protest organiser
Several hundred people gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday for the demonstration, organised by anti-monarchy group Republic, to mark two years since the King's coronation. Large yellow banners were hung in front of the National Gallery that read 'Abolish the monarchy' and 'Change country for good', while protesters also held yellow flags that said 'Down with the crown'. The demonstration included a 15ft dinosaur called Chuck the Rex that represents the monarchy as 'a tamed fossil that belongs in a museum', organisers said. Separate republican protests were also due to take place in Edinburgh and Cardiff on Saturday. It comes after Charles and the royal family attended a busy week of public engagements marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, including a military procession and flypast over Buckingham Palace on Monday. Graham Smith, Republic's chief executive, told the crowd at the protest that the monarchy was 'a corrupt, disreputable and grubby institution' and called for 'a parliamentary republic where citizenship really means something (and) where we are genuinely equal'. He said the movement's goal was to abolish the monarchy 'in the next few decades'. Asked about the royal family's role in the commemorative VE Day events, Mr Smith told the PA news agency: 'The royals certainly hijacked those celebrations. 'They are not a celebration of the royals but if you watched some of the coverage, it was. 'The war was a collective effort and we should be reflecting on the people that made those sacrifices at the time and went through it, not gawping at princes on balconies and worrying about who they're having tea with.' Mr Smith and other Republic members were arrested for taking part in a pre-agreed protest on the King's coronation on May 6 2023, and were later told no further action would be taken. The group held up banners and chanted 'not my King, not my King' when Charles and other royal family members joined a service at Westminster Abbey celebrating Commonwealth Day in March. Mr Smith said Republic would continue to protest at every major royal event, including at the Trooping the Colour next month. Former Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker, who was MP for Lewes from 1997 to 2015, told the crowd: 'You don't have to be a republican to find unacceptable the huge handouts, the unique tax exemptions and all the tricks and ways that they used to inflate further their bulging bank accounts at our public expense. 'It's time for all of us, republicans and supporters of the monarchy, to say enough is enough and call time on this greedy family.'
