Lucille Barilla | Showbiz Cheat Sheet Writer

Prince William Set to Be ‘the Toughest Ruler’ the Monarchy’s Ever Seen: Report

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:33:42 +0000

A new report reveals that Prince William is set to be “the toughest ruler” the monarchy has ever seen. This observation comes from a royal expert who claims William feels the House of Windsor’s future lies in his hands.

Prince William is ‘dedicated to duty’ like Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth understood Prince William’s place in the royal line of succession. Therefore, she took every opportunity to teach him the ways of the crown from a young age. He reportedly paid very close attention to her words.

“Prince William is dedicated to duty, as imbued in him by Queen Elizabeth II, who tutored him every Sunday regarding his royal duties,” Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “He’s also under huge generational pressure since the increasing public popularity of the monarchy ranks highest for both him and Princess Catherine.”

Thus, Prince William will likely be as close to a ruler as his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, who always put duty first. However, William also embodies some of his father’s spirit, including his love for conservationism and sustainability.

Anyone who pushes back against William will be ‘shown the door’

Prince William photographed in Dec. 2024 | Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images

Prince William is poised to be one of the longest-ruling monarchs since his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for over 70 years. His father, Charles, was 73 when he became king.

Therefore, William has plenty of time to set the tone for the kind of ruler he will be. He has already shown he is a no-nonsense man who stands his ground.

A palace insider told In Touch that William doesn’t take kindly to pushback. They told the publication, “It’s no secret that anyone who pushes back against him will be swiftly shown the door. He’s not willing to take any nonsense. The word is he’s already on his way to being the toughest ruler the family has ever seen.”

The source added, “He wants expenses to be monitored closely, and any fat trimmed straight away. He doesn’t want there to be any sense that special perks are being handed out to the royals.”

They concluded, “He’s all about the environment. So he’s pushing hard to be front and center in that respect and has put out this edict that the rest of the family needs to get on board with being as green as possible.”

“Private flights and that sort of thing are being frowned on. The days of wasteful spending and overconsumption are ending with William at the helm.”

William will continue to put family before the crown

In 2024, Prince William showed the type of ruler he would be when he put the health and wellbeing of his wife, Kate Middleton, and father, King Charles, ahead of his duties to the crown. He canceled several key royal appearances to be with both after each was diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.

Prince William backed out of the memorial service for his godfather, King Constantine II of Greece. The memorial took place on Feb. 27, 2024. He subsequently canceled two other royal engagements to tend to his and Kate Middleton’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis as his wife recovered from abdominal surgery in mid-January.

He also filled in for King Charles at state events. William attended the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France in June.

Currently, King Charles has resumed a regular schedule, and Kate Middleton will continue to take on as many engagements as allowed by her doctors. In the meantime, Prince William remains ready to step into his role whenever needed, while continuing to prepare for the day he steps into the role he was born to take, the United Kingdom’s king.

Prince Philip’s Sexy Remark About Queen Elizabeth Revealed TMI About Their Romance

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:03:08 +0000

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years. Their relationship was based on mutual love and respect for each other and their positions within the monarchy. However, that doesn’t mean Philip didn’t appreciate other elements of his relationship with Elizabeth. He once passed a sexy remark about his wife that revealed too much information about their romance.

Prince Philip once made a public, sexy remark about Queen Elizabeth

Philip and Elizabeth wed on Nov. 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. She was 21 and Philip was 26.

Together they welcomed four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. Philip and Elizabeth’s devotion to one another and their work for the crown was a testament to their bond.

But, that didn’t mean Philip didn’t admire other things about his lovely wife. Royal reporter Jeannie Bond told The Mirror that she once heard someone compliment Elizabeth, giving Philip the opportunity to share his own sassy comment about his wife’s beauty.

“I remember once, someone complimented the Queen on her beautiful soft complexion,” Bond recalled. “And Philip cheekily said: ‘Yes, and she’s like that all over, you know!’”

Prince Philip’s love and admiration for Queen Elizabeth was evident

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip hold hands in 2015 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth tended to keep their relationship private and instead, focused on their public duties. However, Philip’s love and admiration for Elizabeth were evident in the way he supported her throughout their 73-year marriage.

One of his more heartfelt remarks came during a speech marking their golden wedding anniversary in 1997. As reported by the BBC, Philip said, “I think the main lesson that we have learned is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage. You can take it from me, the queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”

In turn, Elizabeth said of Philip, “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

Elizabeth and Philip’s relationship wasn’t without its rocky patches

Prince Philip had to give up a lot to marry Elizabeth. He gave up his titles and his place in the line of succession to the Greek throne.

He became a British citizen and was confirmed in the Church of England. At the time of their engagement and wedding, Philip continued his work with the Navy, where he was named second-in-command of a destroyer and eventually, commandeered his own ship.

However, Philip took leave from his Navy post in 1951. He was needed by the royal family to fulfill key obligations after Elizabeth’s father, George VI, fell ill.

Just one year later, Elizabeth became queen and Philip was her consort. This shift change required some adjustment on his part, such as walking behind his wife in public and giving up his last name, Mountbatten, for Windsor as the family surname. To rectify this, Elizabeth decreed in 1960, that their descendants could use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth were married until Philip’s death on Apr. 9, 2021. Elizabeth died one year later on Sept. 8, 2022.

Kate Middleton Receives Rare Royal Power Princess Diana Never Had

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:27:15 +0000

Kate Middleton is the first Princess of Wales in almost a century to be granted a rare royal distinction. Although her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, was also Princess of Wales, she was prohibited from participating in one royal tradition.

Kate Middleton is the first Princess of Wales in almost a century to grant royal warrants

As Kate Middleton gradually returns to royal life, one of her new roles will be to grant royal warrants. Per the royal family website, “A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household.”

Surprisingly, Kate Middleton is the first Princess of Wales to be granted this distinction in a century. She was preceded by Queen Mary, who issued warrants before her husband King George V came to the throne in 1910.

King Charles began issuing royal warrants when he was still the Prince of Wales in 1980. But Princess Diana did not follow suit after the pair wed in 1981.

Although Princess Diana was a prominent member of the royal family, her primary role was as wife of Prince Charles. Therefore, that position did not automatically give her the power to issue royal warrants.

Other royal family members who held this role included Camilla Parker Bowles, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother. It has been rumored that Kate’s husband, Prince William, will also begin to issue warrants this year.

What types of royal warrants could Kate Middleton issue?

Kate Middleton wears a gold Jenny Packham dress to the UK premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ in 2021 | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Per GB News, new suppliers under consideration for a royal warrant must “demonstrate they have a sustainability policy to be eligible.” These warrants are issued for five years and King Charles decides who has the power to issue these grants.

The news outlet reports that Kate Middleton could potentially issue royal warrants to the fashion designers who have supplied her with some of her most memorable outfits over the years. These include Alexander McQueen, Catherine Walker, Jenny Packham, Holland Cooper, and Strathberry.

“We’ve seen the Princess of Wales have a huge impact on brands, often referred to as ‘the Kate effect’. What makes it so powerful is that it has always felt genuine she chooses brands she truly likes or wants to support,” said Nicola Pink, founder of PR and marketing firm We Are Pink to GB News. That means that any business or product that Kate puts her stamp of approval on will likely see an uptick in popularity for its owner.

Why is a royal warrant important?

The royal family website explains that once a royal warrant is granted to a company, they are entitled to display the Royal Arms on their product. The Legend must accompany the Coat of Arms.

The Legend shares which royal family member granted the warrant. Additionally, the company’s name, the goods or services provided, and the company address must be displayed.

Being granted a royal warrant implies the highest standards of quality, reliability, and service. It signals to the public that the goods or services are fit for royalty, boosting consumer confidence.

A royal warrant is initially granted for up to five years. There are currently 800 in place.

The royal family has not announced when Kate Middleton will begin issuing royal warrants.

What Queen Elizabeth Really Thought of Meghan Markle, According to Insiders

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:59:24 +0000

When Meghan Markle entered the royal family, it appeared to outsiders that senior royals went out of their way to make her feel welcome. Knowing that the ways of the House of Windsor were completely foreign to Meghan, many of its members reportedly tried to help her assimilate as quickly as possible. However, there were still some things about the American actor that just didn’t sit right with the royals, including Queen Elizabeth, who quickly developed her own opinion about Prince Harry’s bride.

Meghan Markle painted a rosy picture of her relationship with Queen Elizabeth

During Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 engagement interview, Meghan was complimentary toward Queen Elizabeth, painting a positively rosy outlook on their relationship.

“It’s incredible, I think, you know, to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother,” Meghan said (via BBC). “All of those layers have been so important to me that when I met her I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. She’s an incredible woman.”

In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan shared that she and the queen had forged a good relationship. “We had one of our first joint engagements together and had breakfast together that morning. She’d given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company,” Meghan explained.

“We were in the car going between engagements, and she has a blanket that sits across her knees for warmth. And it was chilly, and she was like, ‘Meghan, come on’ and put it over my knees as well. It made me think of my grandmother, where she’s always been warm and inviting and really welcoming.”

Insiders reveal how Queen Elizabeth felt about Meghan Markle

Queen Elizabeth looks at Meghan Markle during her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 | Jonathan Brady/AFP via Getty Images

It is unclear how Queen Elizabeth really felt about Meghan Markle. Outwardly, she seemed to want her grandson Prince Harry to be happy. But did she have reservations about his marriage from the beginning?

According to royal reporter Ingrid Seward’s book My Mother and I, the queen had several issues with Meghan, beginning with her wedding to Harry. Seward reports that Elizabeth didn’t like the fact that Meghan wore a white gown, and she wasn’t happy with the idea of her son, Charles, walking his daughter-in-law down the aisle.

Reportedly the queen also wasn’t happy with the couple’s decision to leave the royal family and found allegations they made during their interview with Oprah Winfrey alarming. Subsequently, the couple left a sour taste in the queen’s mouth when they called their daughter Lilibet. Elizabeth didn’t confirm that she gave Harry and Meghan permission to use her childhood nickname for their little girl.

The Spectator‘s Kara Kennedy reported in 2023 that Elizabeth reportedly “saw through” Meghan. She cited a source who claimed the monarch called Meghan “evil” at a 2022 Balmoral event.

“At the drinks before the dinner, a small group was talking to the monarch and she explained that Harry meeting Meghan had become a complete catastrophe and described her as evil. By this point, we all knew the Queen’s health was in decline and she had months left, she seemed regretful about how things had panned out.”

When did Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth see each other before the monarch’s death?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the United Kingdom to live in the United States in early 2020. They left their duties as working senior royals behind.

It would be two years until Harry and Meghan returned to the U.K. to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. The couple joined other senior royals at a service of thanksgiving honoring Queen Elizabeth at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Harry and Meghan sat in the second row alongside Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and their husbands.

Three months later, Harry and Meghan returned to the U.K. to mourn Queen Elizabeth, who died on Sept. 8, 2022. They appeared alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton to tour to mourners outside of Windsor Castle.

Meghan Markle’s Netflix Series Debut Pushed Back: ‘The Timing Could Hardly Be Worse’

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:57:01 +0000

Meghan Markle made waves when she announced a new Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, in early January. Now, she’s making a decision that’s causing even more waves by postponing the series debut. Here are the heartbreaking details as Meghan’s “timing could hardly be worse” for an industry comeback.

Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series has a new release date

On Jan. 2, 2025, Meghan Markle returned to Instagram teasing her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan. The series focuses on content connected to cooking, homemaking, and lifestyle tips.

However, on Jan. 12, Netflix’s press department released a statement regarding the show’s debut. It revealed that With Love, Meghan‘s release date was pushed back two months due to a request from Meghan.

“At the request of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and with the full support of Netflix, the release of the show — a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California — has been moved from its previously announced January premiere date to March 4, due to the ongoing devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires,” a Netflix statement read.

Meghan added her statement which said, “I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.”

In a statement to The Daily Mail, royal author Phil Dampier shared his thoughts regarding Meghan delaying her series’ debut. “The timing of Meghan’s Netflix show could hardly be worse. Hundreds of people have lost their homes in the terrible fires.”

“The last thing anyone is interested in is a program about having friends round to eat canapés or arrange flowers when the city is going up in flames and people have lost everything,” he continued. “‘It’s not Meghan’s fault, of course, but I can’t see this show being a success in the current climate.”

Meghan Markle had ‘a lot riding’ on her Netflix series

Royal author and commentator Phil Dampier applauded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for assisting those in their community who have lost their homes. He felt the couple “did the right thing” by allowing friends who lost everything to stay in their home.

Dampier believes pushing back the show’s debut depicts Meghan as not being tone-deaf about the tragedy around her. Displaying the beauty of Southern California when so many people have lost so much could be a double-edged sword in the future as the state begins the rebuilding process.

The royal expert says it would make more sense for Netflix not to debut the lifestyle series until the summer of 2025. Dampier shared that California’s devastation is so bad, it will take years to rebuild the affected communities.

“It’s not Meghan’s fault, of course, but I can’t see this show being a success in the current climate,” Dampier explained. “Some critics had already panned it and now it just looks totally out of place. She had a lot riding on it and had been planning for months, if not a couple of years, so it’s very unfortunate for her,” the royal expert concluded.

What does this postponement mean for Meghan Markle’s big industry comeback?

Meghan Markle on the set of her new Netflix lifestyle series, ‘With Love, Meghan’ | Netflix

Since March 2020, Meghan Markle has tried to carve out an identity separate from her role within the royal family. Although she was only a senior royal for two years, during that time, Meghan found herself at a loss as to her place within the firm.

During this period, Meghan faced intense media scrutiny and challenges adapting to the demands of royal life. This significantly influenced her and Prince Harry’s decision to step back from their royal roles.

Since moving to California, the couple partnered with Netflix via a contract worth a reported $100 million. They launched a Spotify podcast that lasted one season, and Harry wrote a scathing royal tell-all, Spare among some of their projects.

Meghan and Harry founded the Archewell Foundation in 2020, focusing on global humanitarian issues, including mental health, gender equality, and social change. However, Meghan never quite made a splash in the industry, despite being signed by William Morris Endeavor in April 2023.

This Netflix series was a way to allow Meghan to show a different side of her personality. By delaying its debut, she displays a human side that could further revamp her image in light of the horrific wildfire tragedy.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reside in Montecito, California. Their home was not impacted by the California wildfires as they live outside of the evacuation zone.

‘Sister Wives’: Robyn Brown’s Instagram Post About Karma Comes Back to Bite Her

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 12:59:41 +0000

Before leaving social media, Sister Wives star Robyn Brown regularly used her Instagram to post inspirational quotes about life, her romance with Kody, and items related to the series. However, there’s one 2019 post about the ramifications of karma that continues to get fans fired up.

Robyn Brown posted a statement about karma that’s biting back at her

Sister Wives star Robyn Brown shared an Instagram post about karma in 2019. The reality star’s statement in the caption supported it.

To clarify, this post landed square in the middle of the families settling into their new home state. It was a year before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic completely split the polygamous clan apart. The social media repost and Robyn’s commentary reveal where her head was at the time.

The Instagram post stated, “What you do will be done to you. How you deal with others is how you will be dealt with.”

It continued, “If you wish harm upon others, you wish harm upon yourself. And if you wish good upon others, you wish good upon yourself.” To comment, Robyn wrote, “The laws of energy and the universe.”

‘Sister Wives’ fans had a lot to say about this particular post

Robyn Brown of TLC’s ‘Sister Wives’ | TLC

Robyn hasn’t posted any new content to her Instagram page since March 2019. Although this post was generated six years ago, it continues to gain traction from Sister Wives fans.

Followers were quite vocal in their dislike of Robyn posting this particular quote from a relative of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. They believed that in light of how Robyn reportedly manipulated Kody Brown, causing him to effectively leave behind Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown, as well as their children for her benefit, it hasn’t aged well.

One Instagram user claims, “So you manipulating Kody and the wives until you got Kody all to yourself is what you wanted from the start. That will all come back on you in full force. You will be back to being a single mom and broke. It’s coming at some point.”

“Well you are in trouble I would be terrified if I were you,” a second noted.

A third joked, “When words come back to slap you.” A fourth viewer concluded, “This is priceless. Did you SERIOUSLY post this??!”

In the years following this post, a lot has been said about Robyn Brown

Since 2019, Robyn Brown’s role in the Sister Wives family has been associated with significant shifts. These included the departure of Kody’s other wives, financial challenges, and the disassociation of her and Kody’s family from the rest of the polygamist clan.

Throughout 2020, Robyn and Kody sealed themselves to one another as monogamists, pushing away other family members, and using the pandemic as an excuse. Thus, they chose not to find ways to acceptably gather together and remain healthy.

Robyn claims she does not rule the roost in her home, and she follows Kody’s lead. She should have encouraged Kody to cease alienating his 13 children with Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown and open up a pathway to healing their relationships.

Kody’s mistreatment of his original three wives and comparing them to Robyn caused them to reevaluate their unions and leave him. Subsequently, their children appear to lay the blame for the family’s dissolution at Robyn and Kody’s feet, citing their inability to let anyone into their family circle.

Today, Janelle and Christine remain close, as do their children. Meri appears to have reconciled with both women, but they do not socialize regularly. Robyn and Kody live on their own with their children in Flagstaff, Arizona, buying a new home worth $2.1 million and are estranged from the rest of the Brown family.

Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

Princess Diana’s First ‘Revenge Dress’ Revisited

Lucille Barilla — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:14:00 +0000

Much ado has been made about Princess Diana‘s 1994 “revenge dress.” This term was coined by the press about the Christina Stambolian gown worn by Diana the day Prince Charles confessed his longtime affair with Camilla Parker Bowles on television. However, this wasn’t the first fashion choice Diana made that had a hidden meaning. Let’s revisit Diana’s first “revenge dress,” worn months before she walked down the aisle to become Princess of Wales.

What was Princess Diana’s first ‘revenge dress’ and why did she choose it?

Princess Diana was out to shatter the stereotypes she faced as Prince Charles’ fiance. Just 19, she was already pigeonholed by the press as “Shy Di” who blushed easily and appeared timid in Charles’ shadow.

Therefore, when she was dressing for a charity event at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London in March 1981, she visited the dress shop of designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel to find a suitable design. While she was there, Diana saw a stunning, black, off-the-shoulder original she subsequently tried on.

After seeing Diana in the dress, Elizabeth Emanuel said, per Vogue, “She looked so grown up, like a movie star, and she loved the idea of breaking the mold.” The strapless ruffled gown with a plunging heart-shaped bodice showed that Diana was already thinking of how she would be perceived in the future, a confident move for a teenager.

Diana wanted to show Fleet Street’s reporters that she could be taken seriously as Charles’ bride. This “revenge dress” was a perfect way to show that she didn’t fit their pigeonholed mold.

What was the reaction to Diana’s bold fashion choice?

Reaction to Princess Diana’s choice to wear a typically un-royal black gown was applauded by the media, the very people whose opinion she reportedly wanted to shift. The New York Times had this to say about Diana’s transformation from “Shy Di” to a confident young woman.

“In the months during the engagement, Lady Diana made a visible transition from girl to woman. She shed her demure style of dress that she has loved since childhood, and emerged in a frankly sexy black gown.”

“It was astounding,” Elizabeth Emanuel, one-half of the design duo behind the image-changing look, told Vogue. “We witnessed the birth of a fashion icon before our very eyes. We didn’t even consider whether the dress was right for the occasion, we just thought she looked fabulous.”

Diana later told writer Andrew Morton, “I remember my first [royal] engagement so well. So excited. Black dress from the Emanuels and I thought it was OK because girls my age wore this dress.”

“I remember walking into my husband-to-be’s study, and him saying, ‘You’re not going in that dress, are you?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am’. And he said, ‘It’s black! But only people in mourning wear black!’ I hadn’t appreciated that I was now seen as a royal lady, although I’d only got one ring on my finger as opposed to two rings.”

The dress was subsequently sold at auction in 2010. The black taffeta stunner fetched $276,000.

What was Princess Diana’s second ‘revenge dress?’

Princess Diana revenge dress 1984 | Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Thirteen years after Diana wore her first “revenge dress,” Diana revisited the look with a completely different gown style. More self-assured than ever and as her marriage to Prince Charles was on its last legs, Diana emerged for a royal event in a slim-fitting black Christina Stambolian dress.

As she attended a Serpentine Gallery summer party in 1994, the tight black dress with a train was a daring number. It showed Diana’s decollete and long, toned legs.

Just like her first “revenge dress” the second gown featured an off-the-shoulder look and a plunging neckline. Diana added black high heels and a pearl choker to complete her look.

It was rumored that Princess Diana chose this dress to wear hours after her husband’s 1994 interview with journalist Jonathan Dimbleby aired. Charles admitted to being unfaithful to his wife.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said at first. That answer was followed by “Until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried.”

Prince Charles and Princess Diana formally separated in 1992. On Aug. 28. 1996 their divorce was finalized. An auto accident on Aug. 31, 1997, in Paris, France ended her life.

‘Sister Wives’: Does Kody Brown Regret Dismantling the Brown Family For One Woman?

Lucille Barilla — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:33:24 +0000

Sister Wives star Kody Brown voluntarily dismantled the Brown family for the love of one woman, Robyn Brown. Does he, or she, have any regrets about their behaviors?

Kody and Robyn Brown discuss the breakup of their family on ‘Sister Wives’ | TLC

Kody Brown decided early on that Robyn Brown was his No. 1 wife

Robyn and Kody Brown spiritually wed in 2010. At the time, Kody was legally married to Meri Brown and spiritually wed to Janelle and Christine Brown.

He was a father to 13 children before Robyn entered the picture. She added three children from a prior marriage and shared two biological children with Kody.

Kody favored Robyn early on in their relationship. The television series only captured a small window into the family’s life. Therefore, it’s unclear if the other women were truly unhappy about the shift in Kody’s attention.

However, Christine and Janelle were captured on separate occasions speaking about how the family had changed. But since the Browns were depicted as a cohesive family unit, fans early on could have chalked up their chatter to jealousy.

Kody maintained there were no favorites, but he spent an unequal amount of time at Robyn’s. As the years unfolded, Robyn became Kody’s legal wife and his clear co-dependent favorite to the detriment of his other relationships.

Now, during season 19, Robyn is Kody’s only wife. In different ways, Meri, Janelle, and Christine were pushed out of Kody’s life. But Kody wasn’t the only one at fault for the family breakdown.

Does Kody miss interacting with his extended family, or the family experience?

It was apparent when Kody and Robyn Brown attended Gwendolyn’s bridal shower that they were uncomfortable around the extended family. He shared the same feelings on camera after attending his son Logan’s wedding.

However, when presented with the opportunity to be with his extended family members, after the initial fear of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) died down, Robyn and Kody continued to distance themselves from the larger family. The series featured multiple instances where attempts were made to include them and their children, only to be shot down.

Ironically, he and Robyn parrot each other when they talk about missing the family experience. They never talk about missing specific people in the family.

Instead, Kody and Robyn wanted conditional love and respect, expecting something from the people they were supposed to care about. Therefore, they likely regret dismantling their family from a financial perspective, but not a personal one.

Viewers believe that Kody and Robyn Brown broke the family

Fans spoke out on Reddit after Kody and Robyn Brown had their umpteenth discussion as to why he won’t reconcile with Janelle and Meri Brown. Kody appeared frustrated at Robyn for trying to lead him back into relationships with women with whom he was estranged.

“So do we think Kody is finally starting to regret his decision to burn down his entire family for one woman? He can’t understand why Robin is still sobbing over him working it out with the family when he thought just the two of them was what she wanted all along. He achieved their goal,” wrote one follower.

“I’ve always believed Robyn’a priorities when marrying Kody were to acquire financial security, tolerate him, and tolerate the family. She’s never seemed as crazy about him as he is about her. She seems happy to be showered with adoration but she’s very stingy returning it unless she’s getting something out of it,” deduced a second viewer.

A third fan penned, “That’s why their relationship works. He was used to the women competing for his love and attention and Robyn flipped the tables. Now he’s constantly competing for her love and approval and facing a player who plays the game better than he does.”

Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

Meghan Markle’s Secret Tribute to Princess Diana Spotted in New Netflix Trailer

Lucille Barilla — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:10:39 +0000

In early January, Meghan Markle dropped a teaser trailer for With Love, Meghan, an eight-episode Netflix lifestyle series. Among scenes of Meghan cooking, arranging flowers, and tending to bees, eagle-eyed royal watchers spotted a secret, touching tribute to Princess Diana.

Meghan Markle’s tribute to Princess Diana in new Netflix series

Meghan Markle’s tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana wasn’t obvious. But eagle-eyed royal watchers picked up on it right away.

In the trailer for With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex prepares food and shares lifestyle tips and tricks with celebrity friends Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer. An item belonging to Prince Harry’s late mother is visible among these interactions.

Meghan wears Princess Diana’s gold Cartier Tank Française watch throughout the trailer. It is unclear when Harry first gifted the family heirloom to Meghan, but she was first seen wearing it in early 2020. The same model currently retails for upwards of $22,000, though given its historical value, Diana’s watch is likely worth much more.

Diana’s timepiece is the second Cartier watch Meghan owns. She purchased her own yellow gold and steel watch from the brand, which cost more than $5,000, as an heirloom piece.

“I’ve always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch. When I found out Suits had been picked up for our third season — which, at the time, felt like such a milestone — I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version,” Markle told Hello! in 2015. “I had it engraved on the back, ‘To M.M. From M.M.’ and I plan to give it to my daughter one day. That’s what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them,” she said.

Inside Princess Diana’s watch collection

Princess Diana and Prince William in 1989 | Georges de Keerle/Getty Images

Princess Diana owned two Cartier watches. Diana favored both her Tank Louis Cartier watch with a black alligator strap and a yellow gold Tank Française.

Per Enigwatch, the late princess also owned a Patek Philippe Calatrava, gifted to her by then-Prince Charles for her 20th birthday. Queen Elizabeth gifted Diana a Vacheron Constantin timepiece for her wedding. The monarch originally received it as a wedding gift in 1947.

She also owned a Patek Philippe Calatrava Disco Volante that belonged to Prince Charles. At the end of her life, Diana was reportedly gifted a Panthère de Cartier by her boyfriend Dodi al Fayed.

Meghan Markle’s other jewelry pieces that belonged to Princess Diana

Prince Harry gifted Meghan Markle several pieces of Princess Diana’s jewelry throughout their marriage. Meghan has worn these heirloom items often.

The first item Harry gifted Meghan was included as part of her engagement ring. Its central stone was sourced from Botswana, and the other two diamonds were from Diana’s collection.

Meghan also owns Diana’s Aquamarine cocktail ring. She debuted the heirloom on her wedding day and later, wore the ring on a royal tour of Tonga in 2018.

A pair of butterfly earrings that belonged to the late Princess of Wales has been worn by Meghan on numerous occasions. She’s also worn Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet. Finally, Meghan owns Diana’s diamond cross necklace, and a gold bracelet flanked with two cabochon sapphires marking each broken end.

Meghan Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan, debuts on Jan. 15, 2025.

Kate Middleton Calmly Determined as She and Prince William Go Their Separate Ways in 2025

Lucille Barilla — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:53:16 +0000

Kate Middleton remains calmly determined as she and Prince William go their own ways professionally in 2025. Are the royal couple headed for a split similar to that of his brother Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle?

Prince William and Kate Middleton will take separate paths in 2025

Kate Middleton continues to take her time to return to the public eye following a cancer diagnosis in 2024. As she recovered, the Princess of Wales only took on a handful of royal duties last year. This decision left William to face the bulk of the couple’s scheduled engagements alone.

Royal reporter Rebecca English told The Mirror that Kate remains focused on healing as she moves into the new year. She remains grateful for the public’s support as she continues to recover from a bout with cancer.

According to English, “[Kate] has … returned to doing the school drop-off, attending sports fixtures, taking the children to play dates and tennis lessons and even going back to the gym to build up her strength. And it will no doubt be of comfort to know how universally popular she remains, despite her enforced absence from public life for much of last year.”

She continues, “However, her ordeal over the past 12 months has also inspired Catherine (and, of course, William) to steer a new course, I understand, in 2025 and beyond. One that puts greater emphasis on balancing the importance of their family with the family.”

“That’s not to suggest either are any less committed to their public duties. The number of public engagements we see from here on will continue to slowly increase. It’s just that the Princess simply won’t be going back to work in the same way as before, insiders say,” English concluded.

Kate faced ‘sheer terror’ in 2024

Kate Middleton | Samir Hussein/WireImage

A source told royal reporter Rebecca English that despite being a high-ranking member of the British royal family, Kate was not immune to the fear she felt upon learning she was ill throughout 2024. English writes, “There’s no hierarchy on the sheer terror of being told you have cancer. Particularly when you have a young family you need to protect.”

Subsequently, this is why Kate will likely not be returning to full-time royal duties any time soon. This means that she and Prince William may remain on separate professional paths similar to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Also, the princess’s schedule must be cleared by her physicians. This would also encompass any scheduled overseas visits.

To that point, English says Kate will take a “slow return to full-time public duties.” Also, Kate isn’t expected to join Prince William on any scheduled overseas tour this year, but that could change as 2025 progresses.

What’s next for the Princess of Wales?

Kate Middleton will continue to prioritize her health throughout 2025. She alluded to her progress in a lengthy social media update in September 2024.

In a caption that accompanied a video of Kate, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales spoke of looking forward. However, she said her cancer journey was “complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone.”

Kate wrote that she was faced with her own vulnerabilities in a way she never considered prior. With that, a new perspective on “everything” emerged.

“My path to healing and full recovery is long. I must continue to take each day as it comes,” Kate explained. She wrote she looked forward to the future and more public engagements moving forward.

The royal family has not yet announced any public engagements for Kate Middleton in 2025.