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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Prince William Is "Putting Family First" in "Quiet" Approach to Future Kingship Role
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Following reports that Prince William is planning a "radical departure" from his predecessors when he becomes king, a royal expert has celebrated the Prince of Wales's decision to focus on family. Princess Diana predicted the qualities that would serve her son well as monarch, and William has been working hard to silence critics calling him "work-shy." Along with his wife, Princess Kate—who is known to prioritize teaching her children "central values"—William is apparently "putting family first" as he approaches the throne. In a profile of William written by Sky News's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, the journalist shared what she learned about the prince after shadowing him for a week. "The ornate robes of the Order of the Bath like a world away from the more modern image he wants to portray," Mills explained. "But as a man bestowed with so many traditional titles, it's a new role he's shaping for himself that is more intriguing—William, the quiet disruptor." Highlighting the newer, low-key approach Prince William has been taking to official engagements, Mills said the Prince of Wales is "setting out to do things differently, or underlining the challenges, and potential criticisms, he faces doing things his own way." Mills also noted that William's approach to the future kingship isn't necessarily new; instead, the future monarch has been preparing for the crucial role his entire life. "Those who've known him a long time will tell you this compulsion to do things differently has been there for some time," the royal correspondent noted. Mills suggested that, unlike his predecessors, "there is family to consider, in a way that past generations just haven't." The royal expert explained, "Their working diaries are now arranged around their children. They've made no secret of that." As William has centered his young family in everything he does, "it has led to mutterings of that word no one within the palace wants to hear: 'workshy,'" Mills noted. But the royal correspondent suggested that the general public is actually in favor of William's new approach to family, as she explained, "most thought William was setting a good example by putting family first." It would seem that, as Prince William looks to his future as king, the three children he shares with Princess Kate remain the center of his world.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Prince Harry sought advice from Princess Diana's brother asking if he should change family name to Spencer
Prince Harry sought advice from Princess Diana 's brother about changing his family name to Spencer, The Mail on Sunday has learned. Sources said the Duke of Sussex actively explored ways to assume his mother's surname – a move that would have involved ditching Mountbatten-Windsor, used by his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It is understood he discussed the issue with Earl Spencer – whose family seat is Althorp in Northamptonshire – during a rare visit to Britain, but was told that the legal hurdles were insurmountable. 'They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step,' said a friend of Harry. Nevertheless, the fact that he consulted the Earl over the issue – a proposal that would dismay his brother and father – is a vivid expression of the toxic rift with his family. Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname 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. On their birth certificates, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children are Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. 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, who is believed to have met the King only once, would have become Lilibet Diana Spencer, a more fulsome tribute to Harry's late mother. The move would be particularly hurtful to King Charles, who cherishes the Mountbatten name just as his father did. A mentor to Prince Philip, the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was also a strong influence on his great-nephew, the future King Charles. Philip adopted the Mountbatten name when he became a naturalised British subject and renounced his Greek and Danish royal title in 1947. The Queen and Philip decided in 1960 that they would like their own direct descendants to be known as Mountbatten-Windsor. 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. Names and titles are a highly sensitive subject for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They were given their Sussex titles by Queen Elizabeth on the day of their wedding in 2018. Meghan recently insisted her surname is Sussex, correcting a guest on her Netflix cookery and lifestyle programme. In episode two of With Love, Meghan, which was released in March, the 43-year-old former actress was joined by comedienne Mindy Kaling. Meghan told her: 'It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle' – you know I'm Sussex now.' As Ms Kaling looked confused, the duchess, who has visited the county of Sussex only once, continued: 'You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'. 'I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.' ' The Sussexes used the title princess for their daughter, Lilibet, for the first time after her christening in California was announced in 2023. A spokesman for the couple said: 'The children's titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.' The children were subsequently officially named as prince and princess on the Royal Family's official website. Archie, now aged six, and Lilibet, who turns four on Wednesday, were named as the Prince and Princess of Sussex on the line of succession page of the official Royal Family website. They are sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Previously they were listed as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. The rules governing the titles of royal children were set out by George V – Queen Elizabeth's grandfather – in 1917. Archie and Lilibet were not prince and princess at birth, because they were not grandchildren of the monarch, but they gained the right to these titles when King Charles acceded to the throne. During the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan suggested to the American chat-show host that Archie had been denied his birthright of the title 'prince' by the Palace and that the decision went against protocol. During an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan suggested that Archie had been denied his birthright of the title 'prince' by the Palace She spoke of her shock at being told he would not get police protection because he did not have a title, and suggested that the decision was taken because of his mixed race. 'It's not their right to take away,' Meghan said. Asked by Ms Winfrey, 'Do you think it's because of his race?', the duchess replied: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we [had] the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title. And, also, concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.' At the time the claims caused shock and bewilderment at Buckingham Palace, with the late Queen subsequently publishing a statement including the memorable phrase, 'some recollections may vary'.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Diana's Childhood Home Was Set on Fire by Vandals — Here's What We Know
Nearly two years after Princess Diana's childhood home in the Althorp Estate became open to the public, it has been vandalized. In the Althorp Estate, there's the main house, the Althorp Estate, as well as quite a few other cottages, lodges, and farmhouses. These are primarily used by estate staff, or rented out. And in one of the farmhouses, something tragic has happened. More from SheKnows Disney Royalty Christy Carlson Romano's Rare Photos With Daughters Show How They Feel About Disneyland Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, shared the news that one of the farmhouses had been burned to the ground by vandals. Charles shared the news to X, the app formerly known as Twitter, shared an update reading, 'Stunned to learn that one of @AlthorpHouse's farmhouses – fortunately, unoccupied at the time – was apparently burnt down by vandals last night. With thanks to @northantsfire for doing their very best. So very sad that anyone would think this a fun thing to do.' Per Hello, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement, 'Crews arrived to find a derelict two-story property fully on fire. At the height of the fire, four crews from across the service wearing breathing apparatus used hose-reel jets to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.' They added, 'One crew remained on the scene into this afternoon with a water bowser to continue dampening down any remaining hotspots, and then returned to their station shortly before 1pm.' As of May 31, 2025, it's a suspected arson attack from vandals, but no other details have become publicly known . But we are happy no one was injured during the unprecedented of SheKnows Elizabeth Hurley & Billy Ray Cyrus, & More of the Best Red Carpet Debuts From Celebrity Couples Over the Years Yoko Ono's Daughter Kyoko, & 22 Surprising Celebrities That Were In or Linked to a Cult 7 Ways Chrissy Teigen Has Altered Her Appearance Over the Years: Plastic Surgery & More
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How sick Mohamed Fayed bought Princess Di's old school to ‘groom & rape underage girls' in Savile-style sex abuse scheme
PREDATOR Mohamed Fayed raped and sexually assaulted girls at Princess Diana's old boarding school, a new book alleges. A former teacher tells how the ex-Harrods owner bought West Heath School in Sevenoaks, Kent, then used it to groom pupils. 6 6 One-time Fulham FC proprietor Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94, is said to have raped a girl, caused the suicide of another and fathered a baby with an under-age pupil. Here, in an exclusive extract from The Monster Of Harrods, author Alison Kervin tells how depraved Fayed targeted school children as well as young women at Fulham FC. MOHAMED FAYED bought the Princess of Wales's old school in May 1998, almost a year after her death in Paris. His rationale was to protect the place where Diana had enjoyed herself (she had described it as the happiest time of her life). James (not his real name), a former teacher at the school, says: 'Fayed would come to the school sometimes and it would be the big Mohamed show, like when he came with celebrities (he brought Madonna in 2010). 'But there were other times when he'd come to just stroll in alone and start talking to the girls. 'I always thought it was creepy and odd. I know that's easy to say in hindsight, but I did. 'No one seemed to stop him because he'd saved the school from closing. He was free to wander around and do whatever he liked. 'I never thought that was right. 'I thought the head-mistress should have been walking round with him, but she might not even have realised that he was there. 'He seemed to be able to turn up unannounced. Even parents aren't allowed to walk in and walk around.' I ask James whether he suspected that Fayed was trying to recruit girls. 'There's no question that he was. I know he told girls he could get them jobs and he'd give them things from Harrods. 'He invited a couple of the girls to his house. I spoke to another teacher and we went to talk to a senior member of staff about it. They said that it was fine and we shouldn't worry, but it wasn't fine. 'I knew it wasn't. I carried on worrying about it. 'He shouldn't have been there. Benefactor or not, a man of that age should not be mixing with young girls, offering them lifts in his Rolls-Royce and chauffeur-driven limo, and buying them presents before inviting them to his house. How is any of that appropriate?' 'She was terrified' When all the damning information about Fayed's sex crimes came out after his death, James says he 'literally punched the wall in anger and frustration', adding: 'I should have done more.' James put me in touch with a woman who worked at the school, but not as a teacher. Jessica (not her real name) says she knows of a girl who was abused by Fayed while attending West Heath School. Jessica tells me: 'I couldn't get her to go to the police, and she refused to tell anyone at the school but me. 'I guess that because I wasn't part of the teaching staff, she felt safer telling me. She was nervous and crying. 'Fayed had invited her to Harrods and attacked her in the boardroom. 'He didn't manage to rape her, but he tore her clothes and he hurt her. She kicked him and he slapped her and called her an ungrateful animal. 'He said that he would pull the money out of the school and close it down if she said anything. 'He told her that her parents would be told about how she had behaved and all the school would know that she was the one who had closed the school down. She was terrified — she felt like she was to blame, and nothing I said would calm her down.' 6 6 Jessica says that she has been made aware of other girls who were attacked by Fayed and at least one who was raped. She reported her findings to her lawyers and plans to contact the Harrods Survivors support group on their behalf. 'When I spoke to lawyers, they put me on to some lawyers working with a lot of the victims, and they were already aware of the claims. They said they had been contacted by girls at the school and by the relatives of one girl who had committed suicide. 'The family are convinced it was because of what she went through with Fayed. I know they are also investigating that he fathered a love child with an under-age girl. I don't know any more details. 'I don't work at the school any more, and I'm glad Fayed is dead.' In a statement, West Heath School said: 'We do not tolerate abuse or harassment in any form.' On May 29, 1997, Fayed stood in the middle of the pitch at his newly purchased trophy, Fulham Football Club, wrapped in the team's scarf, and announced: 'I have a football club.' Amanda (not her real name) was on the fringes of the Fulham women's team and keen to become the best player she could be. 'Women's football was growing,' she says, 'and Fayed had become a bit of a hero by setting up the first professional women's side.' Fayed invited [a schoolgirl ] to Harrods and attacked her. He didn't manage to rape her, but he tore her clothes and he hurt her. He said he'd pull money out of the school if she said anything Amanda was still at school while training at Craven Cottage. She says she told her mum that Fayed would be visiting the training ground and her mum said: 'Be nice to him — make sure you stand out from the crowd.' When Fayed walked in, Amanda says that the place went quiet and everyone stopped what they were doing. She was nervous but remembered her mum's words, so she bounded up to him, put out her hand to shake his hand, and said, 'Hello, I'm Amanda and I'm hoping to get into the first team soon.' Little did she know that this was manna from heaven for Fayed — a pretty young woman who wanted something that he could get for her. 'Ran for the door' 'He came over to me later and invited me to come to his apartment to discuss my role at Fulham and whether he could help me to make it into the first team. 'I was so excited. He told me that someone from the club would drive me in, and he'd make sure I got home safely. 'When I got to his apartment he didn't even mention football. All he wanted to know was whether I had a boyfriend, had I lost my virginity, had I ever kissed a man? 'He was sitting right next to me and had his hand on my thigh, stroking my leg as we talked. 'He said I had good legs and they'd be perfect for football. He asked me to show them to him.' He [Fayed] asked me to bend over, and he told me to take my knickers off. I realised that was all wrong and ran for the door Amanda was wearing her tracksuit and had no desire to remove the trousers. She remembers she felt awkward and confused. 'I can get you a place in the team,' Fayed told her. 'I own the club, I can do whatever I like. 'I need to see your legs to see whether they're strong enough.' Amanda took down her tracksuit trousers and says that Fayed then became like an animal, reaching out to try to touch her. 'He asked me to bend over, and he told me to take my knickers off. I realised that was all wrong and ran for the door, but my tracksuit bottoms were round my ankles and I was struggling to pull them up while running. 'I got to the door and it was locked. I banged and banged on it with all my might. I'd just about got my trousers pulled up when I heard a voice on the other side, so I screamed and kicked at the door. 'I was sure Fayed was going to come running after me but he stayed in his seat, laughing at me. The door opened and I ran out. 'I didn't stay in football long after that . . . it didn't hold anything like the same joy for me. 'I stopped going to training and slowly drifted away from the club.' 6 Amanda says of reporting the incident to the police: 'I tried, but they weren't really interested, so I left the police station.' Three of the Fulham players I have interviewed also went to the police to report Fayed, but nothing ever happened. One other story that arose after I talked to players at Fulham concerns Kevin Keegan, the former Liverpool, Hamburg and England star, who was brought in to coach the Fulham men's team. Keegan left Fulham when he became England manager in 1999, citing the difficulties of coaching club and country at the same time. Fayed said he would let Keegan go because he was a patriot. 'I've given you my Keegan,' he quipped at the time, 'Now can I have my British passport?' But there are stories that the situation was much more complicated than that. Apparently Fayed and Keegan fell out because the fax machine that Fayed had given to Keegan for home use when he started at the club had stopped working. Rather than call the club, Keegan went to a local repair centre, where a bugging device was found in the machine. Once Keegan realised that Fayed possessed the ability to listen in on everything he and others said within the safety of his home, he decided to quit. Keegan could not be reached for comment. The Monster Of Harrods: Al-Fayed And The Secret, Shameful History Of A British Institution, by Alison Kervin (Harper Collins), is on sale on Thursday. 6
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The cute nickname Princess Diana used for William – and the hilarious reason behind it, according to Harry
There is no doubt that Princess Diana loved her sons William and Harry very much. And like any adoring mother, she came up with pet names for them – which the princes undoubtedly found terribly embarrassing. In an interview with NBC Today ahead of the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007, journalist Matt Lauer asked William about his childhood nickname: Wombat. 'She used to call you "Wombat" which is cute... when you're seven,' the American news personality quipped. 'Yeah,' an 25-year-old William begrudgingly replied. 'I guess you don't want your mates in the pub going, "Hey Wombat, how are you?' Matt said. 'It kind of stuck with me,' William admitted, 'I can't get rid of it now.' The prince went on to reveal that his mother first started referring to him as Wombat during a six-week royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1983. Prior to the fundraiser, the brothers had taken part in an interview with Matt Lauer on NBC Today At two years old, William was still at the crawling stage when he flew 10,000 miles across the world to participate in his first major overseas visit. Malcolm Fraser, the Australian Prime Minister at the time, had written to the Prince and Princess of Wales saying that he appreciated the problems facing the young family and invited them to bring the prince along as well. Fraser's considerate gesture enabled the family to lengthen the visit from a four-week trip to a six-week tour of both Australia and New Zealand. 'The first foreign trip we took William to was Australia and New Zealand,' Diana told her biographer Andrew Morton. 'That was for six weeks. 'That was great – we were a family unit and everything was fine. 'It was very tricky, mentally, for me, because the crowds were just something to be believed. 'My husband had never seen crowds like it and I sure as hell hadn't and everyone kept saying it will all quieten down when you've had your first baby, and it never quietened down, never.' During the visit William stayed at Woomargama, a 4,000-yard sheep station in New South Wales, with his nanny Barbara Barnes and assorted security personnel. While his parents could only be with him during the occasional break in an otherwise busy schedule, Diana was happy to know that William was under the same skies. 'The wombat, you know, that's the local animal,' William explained to Lauer decades later ahead of the Concert for Diana. 'So I just basically got called that. 'Not because I look like a wombat. Or maybe I do.' 'You know what it was?' said Harry, jumping at the chance to wind up his older brother. 'He was still crawling at six.' 'He was?' asked Matt. 'He still couldn't walk,' Harry insisted. 'He was still lazy.' Playing along with the brotherly banter, Matt turned to William and said: 'Alright, get him back. What's his nickname?' Without missing a beat, William replied: 'Oh, Ginger. 'Whatever. You can call him whatever you want,' William added. 'Most of them I can't call in front of here. You know, a bit rude. He's got plenty.' 'Ginger?' Matt asked Harry. To which the 21-year-old prince replied: 'I know exactly. You're as surprised as I am. I don't think I'm ginger.' 'Apart from the fact you are,' William interrupted. 'Shall we not?' Harry said in an attempt to end the conversation. 'Let's not.' But William is correct in saying that Harry has 'plenty' of nicknames. In his bombshell memoir Spare, Harry writes that his father and brother refer to him as 'Harold', despite the Duke of Sussex being christened as Henry Charles Albert David. Throughout her Netflix series, Meghan Markle refers to her doting husband as 'H' or 'Haz' while his friends have been known to call him 'Spike'. And during the Channel 5 documentary, William & Harry: Princes at War?, royal expert Robert Jobson divulged that Diana used to refer to her youngest son as 'GKH'. 'She used to refer to Harry as GKH (Good King Harry) because she thought he'd probably be better equipped for the role in the future than William.' The acronym supposedly came to be when a young William confided in his mother that he 'didn't want to be king', and Harry happily offered to take on the role and its responsibilities instead.
