Mandi Kerr | Showbiz Cheat Sheet Senior Writer

Prince William Signals Kate Middleton’s His ‘Sole Focus’ in ‘Rare’ Move During State Visit

Mandi Kerr — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:45:00 +0000

All eyes on Kate Middleton. When she stepped out with Prince William to kick off a state visit, the Prince of Wales, 42, made it clear that his wife, the Princess of Wales, 42, is his “priority.” How? With some subtle yet powerful body language.

Kate Middleton joined Prince William for the royal family’s state visit welcome

Unlike earlier this year when William welcomed guests from Japan alone, on Dec. 3, 2024, when the Amir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, arrived in London, England, for a state visit, he had Kate by his side.

William and Kate greeted the Qatari royals at their hotel—and, of course, posed for some photos along the way. Then the couples traveled together to the Horse Guards parade to begin the official ceremonial welcome before a private lunch at Buckingham Palace with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Sadly, Kate didn’t have a tiara moment at the evening’s state dinner because she skipped it. However, Queen Camilla, who is recovering from pneumonia, did step out wearing a stunning tiara. David and Victoria Beckham were also among the guests at the state dinner.

William made Kate his ‘priority’ at the state visit event

Kate Middleton and Prince William | Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Body language expert Judi James analyzed William and Kate’s state visit appearance, telling the U.K.’s Express the future king sent a message by putting a hand on his wife’s shoulder as the official welcome got underway.

“This hand-to-shoulder gesture is not primarily a signal of concern from William,” she said. “But more one of ensuring Kate and even the world know she has his undivided attention and sole focus despite the royal state visit and all the dignitaries they are meeting and hosting.”

In body language terms, James described it as a “priority ritual.” (Remember Kate’s still easing into a busier schedule of more high-profile appearances as her cancer recovery continues.)

“It’s a priority ritual and one that will be like a stroke to both her royal status and to her sense of being the most important person in his life,” James continued before noting William doubled down on Kate being his “priority” during the state visit in another way.

“He offers it with another telling, confirmational gesture, which is the head-cock.” Additionally, “as she speaks, he also lets her know that she has his full attention.”

It proved ‘impressively romantic’ on William’s part

Making Kate his “priority” wasn’t just a sweet move from William. According to James, it’s uncommon among British royals, especially given the circumstances, which made it even more of a touching gesture.

“He’s prioritising [sic] his wife here, and in Royal Family terms this is a rare ritual,” the body language expert said. “Royal couples rarely pay too much attention to each other in public, especially at state events like this. Which makes it an even more impressively romantic signal from the prince.”

Look out for more PDA from William and Kate when they—and likely their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—go to Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, 2024, for Kate’s annual Christmas carol service, which will be broadcast in the U.K. on Christmas Eve.

Showbiz Cheat Sheet acknowledges conditions and cultures can impact body language and is sensitive to all backgrounds.

‘Shrinking’ Recap: Dec. 4 Episode Is Grapes, Troll Pens, and New Chapters

Mandi Kerr — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:15:00 +0000

New chapters are in the making on the Dec. 4 episode of Shrinking. The Emmy-nominated TV show has changes brewing in Pasadena, California, for not only teenager, Alice (Lukita Maxwell), but also the adults. Ahead, get a recap of what happened in the Dec. 4 episode.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from the Dec. 4, 2024, episode of Shrinking Season 2 Episode 9: “Full Grown Dude Face.”]

Alice goes to Jimmy for help

Alice and Jimmy have come a long way as shown in “Full Grown Dude Face,” which began streaming Dec. 4, 2024, on Apple TV+. Jimmy might be thrown off by Dylan, a 17-year-old with a “full grown dude face” when he shows up to take Alice (Lukita Maxwell) out for pizza.

After choking on a grape and getting help from Dylan, Jimmy learns Alice has decided to go to a dance with Dylan at his school. “It’s time I re-enter the world,” she says.

Later, Paul (Harrison Ford) offers Jimmy some advice that foreshadows what’s to come. “Alice asserting her independence means you did good,” he says. Now, the hard part for you is figuring out how to let her separate without making her feel guilty. If you can manage to do that, then when she really needs something, there’s a chance that you’ll be the one she calls.”

In between handing over his credit card so Alice can buy a new dress Jimmy learns his daughter’s eager to not “be the girl with the dead mom.” But that changes when someone at an after-party learns about Alice’s past. And who does she call? Jimmy.

“Just like that, I’m the girl with the dead mom again,” she tells Jimmy outside Dylan’s house. At that, Jimmy shares why he often says he has “dead wife face.”

“It’s almost funny so it lets people know they don’t have to walk around eggshells around me,” he explains. Moments later Alice is back at the after-party and she uses her own version, “dead mom face,” to diffuse an awkward moment. There to check on her just like he promised he wouldn’t is Jimmy in his car blowing her a kiss as she mouths “thank you” from the porch.

Gaby worries about changes at home

Harrison Ford in the Dec. 4 episode of ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 | Apple TV+

As Gaby’s (Jessica Williams) sister, Courtney (Courtney Taylor), looks for a job, she confesses to Paul that she doesn’t want her living situation to change by having their mom (Vernee Johnson) move in with her.

“Obviously I want my sister to get a job. But the second she does, our mom becomes my problem. So I guess I’m hoping that if I say, ‘I’m rooting for you,’ enough I’ll start to mean it,” she tells Paul.

Then Gaby’s thrown a big curveball. Courtney’s decided to join the army. Along the way, Paul dishes out some wise words. “This isn’t about her,” he says about Gaby’s mom. “This is about setting boundaries and saying what you want.”

Skeptical Gaby can’t break her pattern as a “lifelong caretaker,” he tells his fellow therapist, “The only person you’re not good at looking after is yourself. If your mom wants to move in with you, I’m not sure you can say no.”

Then comes the moment Gaby’s mom is at her house. She assumes she’s moving in with Gaby and is excited to see her new bedroom. (Gaby’s current bedroom is her first choice.) And, just as Paul predicted, Gaby doesn’t tell her mom how she feels.

Brian and Charlie get advice before an important meeting

Claudia Sulewski in the Dec. 4 episode of ‘Shrinking’ Season 2 | Apple TV+

After admitting they weren’t ready to be parents in the Nov. 20 episode of Shrinking, Brian (Michael Urie) and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) are trying to adopt. They’re gearing up to be interviewed by a birth mom.

Unsurprisingly, Brian is anxious about meeting her, worried he’ll screw it up for him and Charlie simply by being himself. Jimmy offers some advice: “Say the exact opposite of what you are about to say” and/or let Charlie do all the talking. Liz (Christa Miller) gives them a crash course on parenting before the birth mom, Ava (Claudia Sulewski), pictured above, arrives at Jimmy’s house to meet Brian and Charlie.

Their talk gets off to a rocky start—Brian has a hilarious moment involving garbage—before he seemingly wins her over with honesty and a shared love of troll pens and musicals. Later, though, Charlie and Brian learn they weren’t selected to be the baby’s adoptive parents.

A new episode of Shrinking Season 2 drops every Wednesday on Apple TV+.

Meghan Markle May Not Be American Riviera Orchard’s CEO for Long

Mandi Kerr — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 02:15:00 +0000

Meghan Markle has a new job title, CEO. That’s right. The Duchess of Sussex is heading up her new lifestyle brand, American Orchard Riviera. She’s reportedly signed on for the position but she may not do the job for long. Why? Because of a partnership that’s reportedly brewing between her and Netflix.

Meghan Markle is reportedly American Riviera Orchard’s new CEO

Following a long search for a CEO, Meghan has reportedly installed herself in the position, according to the New York Post. “She is the CEO of American Riviera Orchard,” a “source in the know” told the outlet.

“Despite having interviewed several candidates for the position,” royal commentator Richard Eden wrote for the Daily Mail, Meghan “was unable to find anyone who matched her expectations.”

It comes after Meghan’s initial search for a CEO proved unsuccessful back in April 2024, shortly after she publicly announced her new lifestyle brand on Instagram.

Meghan’s Netflix partnership could mean the streamer picks a different CEO

Meghan Markle | Diego Cuevas/Getty Images

Eden continued, writing the difficulties Meghan had in finding a CEO for American Riviera Orchard has led her to a “commercial” partnership in her and Prince Harry’s five-year Netflix deal, which is set to expire in 2025.

“I reported that the Duchess’s difficulties had led to an intriguing new development: she had begun negotiations with Netflix about the U.S. streaming giant entering into a commercial partnership with American Riviera Orchard,” Eden wrote.

“This is something new for Netflix,” a source told the royal commentator, noting it would coincide with Meghan’s upcoming series about cooking, gardening, and entertaining. (Filming wrapped over the summer.)

“It would run the lifestyle business with Meghan, developing products as spin-offs from her show,” they explained. Part of the deal could, they added, be making someone other than Meghan CEO. “If a partnership is agreed,” the source said, “it’s likely that Netflix would install its own CEO to run operations.”

So, if the commercial partnership goes through—and it’s a big if at this point—Meghan’s time as American Riviera Orchard’s CEO could very well be short-lived.

Meghan’s legal team is still working on American Riviera Orchard’s trademark

The legal battle to secure a trademark for the name of Meghan’s lifestyle brand is still underway. Per a New York Post report, her legal team recently filed for a three-month extension. That means they must meet the next deadline or start the entire process over again.

The extension comes after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received a protest filing to trademark American Riviera Orchard on Oct. 31, 2024. Documents obtained by the outlet showed it came from Harry & David, a premium food and gift brand, who argued the name’s too similar to their “Royal Riviera” line of products on which they currently have a trademark.

A month earlier, in September 2024, American Riviera Orchard’s trademark application hit another big snag. The USPTO refused the application because businesses can’t trademark geographical locations, and American Riviera Orchard is a nod to Montecito, California, the affluent Santa Barbara town where Meghan lives with the Duke of Sussex and their two children.

Jason Kelce Rejected Taylor Swift’s Offer of Eras Tour Tickets for His Friends: ‘I Don’t Want That’

Mandi Kerr — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:24:00 +0000

Saying no to free Eras tour tickets from Taylor Swift herself? It’s simply out of the question for any Swiftie. But for Jason Kelce it’s reality. The brother of Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, revealed in a November 2024 interview he turned down the Grammy winner’s offer of free concert tickets. Why? Because of boundaries.

Free Eras tour tickets are an ‘immediate no’ for Jason

During a Nov. 25, 2024, appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Jason discussed free Eras tour tickets with host Rich Eisen.

Asked if he’s had to say no to more people asking him “to do something for them professionally” or people “asking for tickets to a Taylor Swift concert,” the 37-year-old revealed the latter is an automatic no.

“Thankfully I don’t get a lot of people reaching out for Taylor Swift tickets,” he said. “It is an immediate no. But, I don’t get a lot of that.”

Jason Kelce doesn’t want the ‘dynamic’ with Taylor that comes with free tickets for friends

So, why is Jason’s standard response essentially “thanks but no thanks” when Swift offers free Eras tour tickets? As he explained to Eisen, 55, it’s about crossing boundaries. “Taylor has said she will take care of anybody that I ask for,” the retired NFL player said. “She does say that. She’s great, but I still say no to everybody.”

“I’m not gonna be the one to impose on that, I don’t wanna put that position out there,” he explained. “She’s been nothing but lovely to our family. She’s a wonderful person and I don’t want that to kind of be a dynamic [between us].”

When Eisen clarified Swift has given him “the clear path to the tickets” and he’s been “just shutting it down,” Jason confirmed that’s “exactly” what’s happened. “Where’s the line? Exactly, so I’m not even broaching the line, I’m staying away from the line,” Jason said.

Jason Kelce had an ‘incredible’ time at Taylor Swift’s Miami Eras tour show

Donna Kelce and Taylor Swift, who offered to give Jason Kelce free Eras tickets | Jamie Squire/Getty Images

While the former Philadelphia Eagles player has attended several Eras tour shows, Kelce opened up about going to Swift’s Oct. 18, 2024, concert in Miami, Florida, on “New Heights,” the podcast he and Travis co-host. He went with his and Travis’s mother, Donna Kelce, his wife, Kylie Kelce, and their two oldest daughters, Wyatt Elizabeth and Elliotte Ray.

“The Miami stadium was just on another level,” Jason said on the podcast’s Oct. 23, 2024, episode. Calling it “incredible,” he shared that “everyone had a good time.”

“Miami was another level,” he continued. “I’m excited for her to be back on tour for this final leg of the Eras run here. It’s pretty awesome. It was an incredible trip, so keep killing it, Tay.”

Swift’s hugely successful Eras tour ends on Dec. 8, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada. But don’t expect to see Travis there. He and the Kansas City Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Where to Stream 9 Christmas Movie Staples From ‘Home Alone’ to ‘The Holiday’

Mandi Kerr — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 23:34:00 +0000

December is here and that means it’s time to watch Christmas movies! Ahead, find out where to stream some Christmas movie staples like the classic It’s a Wonderful Life to modern classics such as The Holiday and Elf.

1. ‘Home Alone’

First up is Home Alone. The 1990 Christmas movie staple, as well as the subsequent installments in the franchise, are streaming on Disney+. Yes, that means Home Alone 2 (1992), Home Alone 3 (1997), Home Alone 4 (2002), and the more recent Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012) and Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) are all available to stream.

2. ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

Not only is Home Alone on Disney+ but so is Miracle on 34th Street. That includes both the 1947 original starring Natalie Wood and the 1997 remake with Mara Wilson. Do a Christmas movie marathon and watch them back-to-back or watch one or the other. Bottom line, Disney+ is the place to go for streaming Miracle on 34th Street this month.

3. ‘The Holiday’

It’s December and that means it’s time for The Holiday. Watch Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) switch houses for two weeks in this popular Nancy Meyers rom-com. Drool over the interiors—ahem, Meyers’ kitchens are the stuff of Pinterest board dreams—and, of course, Amanda’s cozy winter wardrobe.

The Holiday is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

4. ‘Elf’

Santa’s coming! And what better way to celebrate than with a December viewing—or five or 10—of Elf? The 2003 comedy about Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) is streaming on Hulu and Max. Additionally, it’s available to Disney+ premium subscribers. And, of course, like most, if not all, of the Christmas movie staples on this list, they’ll air on TV many times throughout the month.

5. ‘Jack Frost’

See young Charlie (Joseph Cross) reconnect with his dad, Jack Frost, played by Emmy winner Michael Keaton when he magically takes the form of a snowman. (George Clooney was originally slated for the role.) Jack Frost is streaming on Hulu. It’s also available to watch for free on Sling TV.

6. ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Ready for Christmas with the Griswold family? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is streaming on multiple platforms. Watch the John Hughes-directed comedy on Hulu or Max and try—and probably fail—not to quote every hilarious line from Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo), and the rest.

7. ‘Die Hard’

Debates about whether or not it’s a holiday movie aside, there’s no arguing that, for some, Die Hard is a staple come Christmastime. See Bruce Willis in his iconic role as John McClane by streaming Die Hard on AMC+, Amazon Prime Video, and/or Hulu.

Bonus: Die Hard is also available to stream on Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel for free, no subscription required.

8. ‘A Christmas Story’

Good news, fans of A Christmas Story. It’s available on not one, not two, but three major streaming services. That means seeing Ralphie’s (Peter Billingsley) quest to get a Red Ryder has never been easier or more convenient.

Stream A Christmas Story on Max—with a subscription—or Hulu and Amazon Prime Video with a premium subscription.

9 ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

Last but certainly not least is It’s a Wonderful Life. Directed by Frank Capra, the 1946 movie has been a firm Christmas staple on must-watch lists during the holiday season for decades. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Plan to Subtly Make Themselves More Relatable This Christmas

Mandi Kerr — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:32:00 +0000

British royals, they’re just like us. That’s the kind of message Prince William and Kate Middleton are expected to send this Christmas. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, are reportedly going to emphasize their “middle class” celebrations. Think: movie marathons and post-meal naps. But Christmas won’t go by without some very royal festivities either.

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ‘middle class’ Christmas

According to The Daily Beast, William and Kate have plans to drive home just how “normal” Christmas is for them. One insider told the outlet the public can expect “more messaging this year… of a ‘middle class flavor.’” As in “emphasizing eating chocolate, movie marathons, and generally sliding off the couch in a tryptophan haze like everyone else.”

Like the coronation and Kate’s video about completing cancer treatment, Christmas will include a glimpse of the Wales family’s private life.

“A little social media of the family eating chocolate and watching TV would be a very effective way of showing how normal Christmas is at Anmer Hall compared to what we hear about at Sandringham,” a former courtier said.

Christmas still means royal activities for William and Kate

Just because they’re expected to highlight the “middle class” elements of their Christmas festivities doesn’t mean everything William and Kate do during the holiday season will be relatable. There will also be some very royal events on their agenda.

They and their three children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—are expected to join fellow British royals for their annual walk to church on Christmas morning. William and Kate are also reportedly throwing a Christmas party at Anmer Hall, their sprawling home located on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.

William is also said to be hosting the royal family’s annual Boxing Day hunt on Dec. 26, 2024, taking over as the hunt’s leader from his dad, King Charles III. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, there’s also Kate’s Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey. The annual event, which is recorded and broadcast on Christmas Eve in the U.K., usually brings the entire Wales family out for the evening.

William and Kate are already making moves to seem more relatable

Emphasizing how “normal” Christmas is for them won’t be the first time William and Kate have taken steps to seem more relatable. It’s a major part of their brand—doing school pick-up and drop-off, fangirling over Taylor Swift, etc.—and they’ve continued it this year through social media posts.

Namely, whenever the future king and queen sign off personal posts with their first initial, “W” or “C.” Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond called it a move away from Buckingham Palace’s “stuffy” way of doing things.

“This is such an effective and modern way of using her influence and staying in touch, even when she is not making personal appearances,” Bond told OK! magazine of Kate (via The Sun). Buckingham Palace’s traditional communication “now seem quite stuffy and extremely formal by comparison.”

Kate Middleton’s ‘Key’ to Recovery Is a ‘Sense of Normalcy’ at Home

Mandi Kerr — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:15:00 +0000

While Kate Middleton’s life has certainly changed due to her cancer diagnosis, things haven’t actually changed much at home. That, according to a royal author, is “key” to the Princess of Wales’s ongoing recovery.

A ‘sense of normalcy’ is ‘key’ to Kate’s recovery

Speaking to the New York Post, royal commentator and author Christopher Andersen explained why things for the Wales family of five—Prince William, Kate, and their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—still had a “sense of normally” as the future queen underwent treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.

“Since Kate’s cancer diagnosis, the children have been more sensitive to their mother’s needs for a little more peace and quiet than usual,” Andersen said. “But their overall family dynamic— the hectic schedule of school, after-class activities, birthday parties, and play dates that fill the calendar—hasn’t changed.”

“That continuing sense of normalcy has without doubt been key to Kate’s recovery,” he added.

The Prince of Wales, 42, took a step back from his royal duties to be home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, England, presumably shuttling the kids to and from school and their various activities. Kate’s mom, Carole Middleton, has reportedly helped out a lot, too. Additionally, George, Charlotte, and Louis are said to have become a little more independent at home, making snacks themselves.

Kate hasn’t made a ‘full recovery’ since completing cancer treatment

Despite previously saying she’s getting stronger with every passing day Kate’s not back to 100% just yet. In the unusually personal video she released on Sept. 9, 2024, announcing she’s cancer-free after completing treatment, Kate admitted that she had a “long” way to go.

Her “focus,” she said, is “stay[ing] cancer-free,” noting the “path to healing and full recovery is long.” Because of that, she intended to “take each day as it comes.”

William gave an update on Kate’s health when he went to Cape Town, South Africa, for the 2024 Earthshot Prize Awards. (Kate usually attends, but she skipped the ceremony this year.) He said she’s doing “really well” and has been “amazing this whole year,” (via BBC).

She’s hosting her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6

The “sense of normalcy” is slowly but surely filtering out beyond the walls of Adelaide Cottage. Kate is hosting her annual concert, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, on Dec. 6, 2024, at Westminster Abbey in London, England. Just like in previous years, a big turnout from Kate’s fellow royals is expected before the service is broadcast in the U.K. on Christmas Eve.

It comes after Kate returned to another staple on her calendar, the royal family’s Remembrance Day (Veterans Day) festivities. She joined William and King Charles III at the annual Royal Albert Hall performance on Nov. 9, 2024, before attending a service the following day.

Although Kate’s made several appearances since completing chemotherapy she isn’t officially back to work yet. Kensington Palace has yet to formally announce her return to royal duties.

Meghan Markle’s ‘Meticulously’ Planning Christmas Gift Packages to ‘Remind People of Her Softer Side’

Mandi Kerr — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Mail from Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, is reportedly gearing up to send some very special packages this Christmas. Ahead, details on what’s inside, who’s getting them, and what Meghan hopes to achieve—hint: it’s a lot—by sending them out.

Meghan’s ‘meticulously’ putting together Christmas gift packages for the ‘who’s who of Hollywood’

It seems Meghan’s getting a jump on Christmas gifts. Not ones for Prince Harry, or their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, but something special for her celebrity friends. According to Closer Magazine, she’s putting some of her most beloved products in packages and gifting them to Hollywood’s “who’s who.”

“Meghan has been meticulously curating gift packages filled with a selection of all her favourite [sic] things—and of course, plenty of her jam—to send to the who’s who of Hollywood,” an insider claimed.

So, that means jam from her American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand, which she sent to celebrity friends earlier in 2024, but what else?

Meghan’s a longtime fan of Tignanello wine. It inspired the name of her blog, The Tig, which she closed before marrying the Duke of Sussex in May 2018. Cuyana totes may get a spot in Meghan’s Christmas gift packages. Per People, they were reportedly part of the thank-you gifts for attending Meghan’s 2019 baby shower.

Diptyque candles could also be included. They made occasional appearances on Meghan’s defunct Instagram and have been spotted in her and Harry’s California home.

Meghan hopes to achieve a lot with the Christmas gift packages

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The Christmas gift packages go beyond a thoughtful gesture for Meghan. She’s reportedly hoping they’ll do double—even triple—duty come the holidays. Not just with friends and those in Hollywood, but with her new lifestyle brand and her own image.

“While there is no doubt it’s about promoting her American Riviera Orchard brand,” the insider said, “it’s also about spreading goodwill and trying to remind people of her softer side. With Christmas around the corner, Meghan sees it as the perfect time to try to rebuild connections and is determined not to start 2025 surrounded by negativity.”

Meghan, they added, has been feeling “increasingly lonely,” so she’s focusing on “strengthening friendships” via the Christmas gift packages. No expense is being spared because they are, in Meghan’s eyes, an “investment.”

“She’s sending them out to all her friends and acquaintances, and is willing to spend a fortune and a whole lot of time because she sees it as an investment in her relationships,” they explained.

How she and Prince Harry are spending Christmas is unclear

What’s on Harry and Meghan’s calendar for Christmas? The pair haven’t publicly shared what they’ll be doing over the holidays.

Will they celebrate at home before taking Archie and Lili to the Sussex family’s new vacation in Portugal? Or will they have a U.K. Christmas at Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home? What about spending Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk, England, with the rest of the royal family? Harry and Meghan haven’t had a royal Christmas in years—since 2018—and they’re reportedly not invited.

Whatever they’re planning, the Sussexes haven’t revealed the details publicly—and they might never. Harry and Meghan are known to be private about family life save for the occasional comment.

Prince Harry and Queen Camilla Have Switched Places—Here’s How

Mandi Kerr — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 19:20:53 +0000

Prince Harry and Queen Camilla have traded places. The Duke of Sussex, 41, is now the “outcast” of the British royal family, a “position” once held by his stepmother, 77. Ahead, why the queen’s so much more than a “simple country woman.” Plus, how Harry’s comments about Queen Camilla were “the last straw” for King Charles III.

Camilla’s now ‘seen with affection,’ not Harry

Speaking on Queen Camilla: The Wicked Stepmother?, a Channel 4 TV program broadcast in the U.K., journalist Petronella Wyatt, who is also a friend of the queen’s, discussed how the two royals have switched places.

There once was a time—the King Charles and Princess Diana years—when Queen Camilla proved a controversial figure. Now, she’s someone who has received praise for taking on more duties amid the king and Kate Middleton’s respective cancer battles. Meanwhile, Harry, a once popular British royal, is now an “outcast.”

“I think it’s very interesting to see how Harry’s position and Camilla’s position within the royal family has reversed,” Wyatt said (via Newsweek). “Because Camilla used to be the hated and despised outcast. Now Harry’s the outcast and Camilla’s seen with affection as a sort of safe pair of hands.”

Queen Camilla, Diana’s former private secretary Patrick Jephson shared, played a major role in her own reputational turnaround. “I think Camilla, far from being the simple country woman that we were sold is actually a very shrewd politically media savvy person,” he said.

“We are told that the campaign to rehabilitate Camilla has been subtle. I don’t think it’s been subtle at all. It’s got all the subtlety of a sledgehammer,” he added, noting the people in King Charles’s office were “pretty cold-blooded in the way they used Harry […] misrepresenting facts in order to portray his father and his mistress in a better light.”

Harry speaking ill of Queen Camilla was the ‘last straw’ for King Charles

Prince Harry, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla | Isabel Infantes/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

In his 2023 Spare memoir, the queen was, much like Harry’s brother Prince William, someone who wasn’t portrayed kindly. Harry recalled wondering “if she’d be like all the wicked stepmothers in storybooks” before meeting her for the first time.” (She wasn’t, which he was grateful for.) Elsewhere, he described Queen Camilla as “the Other woman” and someone who “sacrificed” him on her “personal PR altar.”

A source told the U.K.’s Mirror at the time of the book’s publication that King Charles didn’t hesitate after he learned what Harry had said about his stepmother. “It was the last straw,” the insider told the outlet per Express.

“Harry was well aware how Camilla would be a red line for his father and he crossed with flagrant disregard anyway. The King felt without a doubt it crossed a line—it was the ultimate act of disrespect.”

Camilla’s connection to Harry’s short visit with his father in February 2024

Remember back in February 2024 when Harry boarded a plane to London, England, soon after Buckingham Palace announced the king’s cancer diagnosis? He touched down, and went to Clarence House, where he met with his father. But Harry wasn’t there for long. Reports at the time clocked his visit at under an hour.

In the aftermath, royal author Robert Jobson claimed Queen Camilla might’ve played a role in Harry’s short visit. “The queen was with the king,” Jobson said at the time. “Let’s be honest—he [Harry] wasn’t too complimentary about Queen Camilla in his book, Spare. He wasn’t very complimentary about her on Netflix [Harry & Meghan]. They don’t get on.”

Since Harry and Meghan left royal life in 2020 and relocated to California, they only see other royals on rare occasions. Think Platinum Jubilee Weekend (June 2022), Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (September 2022), and the coronation (May 2023), which Harry attended solo.

George Michael and Liza Minnelli Said Princess Diana Made Them Feel the Same Way

Mandi Kerr — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 14:15:00 +0000

Leave it to the late Princess Diana to put even her celebrity friends at ease. The British royal who died in 1997 met many A-listers during her life. Among them were Liza Minnelli and the late George Michael. Talking about their friendship with Diana, Minnelli and Michael both shared how they didn’t have to be anyone but themselves.

Diana made George Michael ‘feel like an ordinary person’

Diana held a unique role in Michael’s life after the two met in 1993 at the World Aids Day Concert of Hope in London, England. Sure, she might’ve had a crush on the former Wham! Star but he could be a regular guy around her.

According to Tatler, Michael is quoted in George Michael: Freedom: The Ultimate Tribute 1963-2016 as saying: “[We] clicked in a way that was a little bit intangible. Diana was the only person that I knew who made me feel like an ordinary person.”

“I met her maybe a dozen times. And I always had a laugh with her and I really admired her,” the “Careless Whisper” singer told the U.K.’s Mirror in 2016. “I thought she was so great not to be consumed by everything that had happened to her and to keep giving and giving,” he said, describing her as “the Elvis of compassion.”

Liza Minnelli said she and Diana ‘could just be ourselves around each other’

Meanwhile, Minnelli once called herself “lucky enough to count Princess Di as a friend,” sharing how they met backstage at one of her London concerts. Their friendship blossomed as they’d “bump into each other at premieres or events” and “fall into conversation” before soon “meet[ing] for tea” and later lunch.

Noting they “talked about everything under the sun,” the Oscar winner explained how she and Diana could, like Michael, be themselves whenever they were together.

“All my life I’ve had people bowing and scraping,” Minnelli said. “Well, Princess Di got used to people bowing and scraping. So it was a relief to both of us that we could just be ourselves around each other.”

Princess Diana and Liza Minnelli | Dave Benett/Getty Images

Diana could make anyone ‘feel at ease,’ according to Elton John

Another one of Diana’s celebrity friends, Elton John, discussed her talent of putting people “at ease” the moment they during an appearance on the U.K. talk show, Lorraine.

“She was just loved by people because she had that great ability, which her son, Prince Harry, has inherited, where she could walk into a room of people and make them feel at ease as if she’d known them all her life or all their life,” he said. “And that’s an incredible talent to have.”

John and Diana met at Prince Andrew’s birthday party. Similar to Minnelli and Michael, he felt an immediate connection to the late royal. “She was blessed with an incredible social ease, an ability to talk to anybody, to make herself seem ordinary,” he wrote in his 2019 Me memoir (via Time).