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Prince Harry has revealed exactly why he took aim at the royal family in his memoir Spare, and insists that his ‘conscience is clear’ when it comes to one ‘difficult message’

Prince Harry has doubled down on his decision to openly criticise the royal family as he seems to make another dig at his estranged brother Prince William.

The Duke and his wife Meghan Markle have continuously taken aim at the monarchy since their self-exile to the US, delivering painful blows in TV interviews, Netflix shows and Harry’s own memoir Spare.

But Harry insists in a new behind-the-scenes chat that he hasn’t “aired his dirty laundry” and instead wanted to set the record straight, even at the cost of his fraught relationship with his relatives.

The bold revelations come just days after Harry reunited with his father King Charles for the first time 19 months. During his four-day trip to the UK, the Duke met his dad at Clarence house for tea in a meeting that lasted 55 minutes.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle celebrates Prince Harry’s return to US with message to her ‘beau’READ MORE: Prince Harry interview bombshells after King Charles meeting from truth claim to ‘no regrets’

The reunion came after months of speculation that father and son were working to heal their relationship after Harry claimed earlier this year that Charles “refused to speak to him” due to his battle with the Home Office over the level of security he is granted while in the UK.

Royal sources have persistently said that chances of a reunion all boil down to trust, with Charles said to be fearful that Harry will continue to speak out about the royals in interviews and other media.

But now Harry has insisted that he did so to “correct” the “one point of view” that was “put out”. In an in-depth chat with The Guardian, the Duke said: “I know that [speaking out] annoys some people and it goes against the narrative.

“The book? It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected.”

He continued: “I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public. It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear.”

The Duke also seemed to make a subtle dig at his estranged brother William, as he said that while he wants to reconnect with his family, “you cannot have reconciliation before you have truth”.

The comment echoes allegations that Harry has made in the past about William. In his explosive Netflix show with his wife Meghan in 2022, the Duke said: “They were happy to lie to protect my brother” while Meghan was “fed to the wolves”. In the show, Harry also accused William’s team of lying and planting stories.

In his new interview during his trip to war-torn Ukraine, Harry insisted: “It is not about revenge, it is about accountability”.

The brothers have reportedly not spoken in years, and while Charles likely spoke to William about his plans to see Harry during his UK visit, the rift between siblings will be much harder to crack, according to experts.

Strides towards peace were seemingly made earlier this summer when top aides from both Harry and Charles’ camps met in a secret meeting in London, where the Duke’s team reportedly offered to share his diary in order to prevent any clashes with royals during his visits to the UK. William’s team were not present, however.

Experts have also warned that Harry’s latest visit to Ukraine could spark further tensions with his brother. The Duke’s visit to Kyiv comes just months after he visited the country previously, spending time at the Superhuman Trauma Centre in Lyiv, which works with amputees.

However, his first visit to Ukraine is said to have left his older brother, Prince William, “fuming” at palace officials.

William’s also been a huge supporter of Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022, but he was reportedly blocked from visiting the country itself on the grounds of “security concerns” in 2024.

He has been allowed to visit Poland, where he met with British soldiers and thanked them for “defending our freedoms”. William also visited Estonia, where he got the chance to speak with Ukrainian refugees and visit an army base that’s a crucial strategic point in NATO’s eastern flank.

Former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison has opened up about the start of Strictly Come Dancing next weekend and says she’s been crying in the bath after rehearsals

Terrified Vicky Pattison says she is so ‘overwhelmed’ ahead of curtain up on Strictly Come Dancing that she has been crying in the bath after rehearsals.

In 2023, the Geordie Shore star was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which can floor her physically and emotionally every month. It means the reality star’s anxiety will be heightened before anyone has even danced a step because with the health condition bringing on panic attacks, insomnia and exhaustion.

Vicky says she fears being stuck in her ‘own head’ and also applying too much pressure on herself to achieve high scores ahead of the start of the show. After winning 2015’s I’m a Celebrity and reaching the final of Celebrity MasterChef in 2019, the reality star is ready to tackle the challenge head on.

READ MORE: Dani Dyer fears Strictly Come Dancing fans will be disappointed to see her on showREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing ‘struggled to get talent’ for 2025 season after string of scandals

She said: ‘I’m just out of my comfort zone and it’s really scary when you’re out of your comfort zone and I am a bit overwhelmed. I thought I was doing an alright job of hiding it but obviously, I’m not. I think it’s because I have wanted to do this show for so long and I am a big fan.

“You’re asking me in my nearly 40s to get out of my comfort zone and do something that I’ve never done before on a massive stage,” she told MailOnline. “I know what people are expecting to see, they want the razzle dazzle, and I am putting a lot of pressure on myself ultimately. At the end of the rehearsal last night, I went and cried in the bath.”

Vicky has spoken out about living with PMDD, and how hugely supportive Strictly has been as she struggled through rehearsals. “It affects me in the 10 days before my period,” she admits. “That is panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion and in some moments, there can be suicidal thoughts. Like every woman dealing with it, I’m just riding the wave.

“There are moments I can be OK and be the bright, shiny version of myself that everyone expects, and then there are moments where I’m debilitated by it. Now, everything feels heightened and stressful. I’ve been burying my head in the sand a little bit saying it’s ages away, but it’s not. I’m learning as I go. Strictly take things into ­consideration.”

Joining Vicky on the dancefloor are Doctor Who actress Alex ­Kingston, model Ellie Goldstein, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and EastEnder Balvinder Sopal. YouTuber George Clarke, drag queen La Voix, former England rugby ace Chris Robshaw and The Apprentice’s Tom Skinner are also taking part.

Neighbours favourite Stefan Dennis, Lioness Karen Carney, ex-Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, reality star Dani Dyer and TV host Ross King. They will be judged by Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

Vicky says show bosses have picked the perfect partner for her – a person who can help calm her nerves. He will be revealed on Saturday’s launch show. “They have found me someone that is kind and measured and patient and supportive,” she says ahead of kick-off.

“There are people with big energy and that’s amazing, but that would have exacerbated how I was feeling. I hope that when I get the hang of it, I’ll be less nervous. I hope I’m blessed to be here long enough to get a few shows under my belt.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday for its launch show.

As Prince Harry opens up in an interview held shortly after his long-awaited interview with King Charles, the Mirror takes a look at some of the biggest recent bombshells that hint towards what’s really going on behind closed doors

It’s been nearly three years since Prince Harry offered a glimpse behind the gates of Buckingham Palace with his tell-all memoir, Spare. Now, the fifth in line to the throne has dropped yet more bombshells, while declaring “my conscience is clear”.

This comes after Harry’s eventful trip to the UK, where he attended the WellChild Awards as part of his ongoing role as charity patron. Poignantly, this event coincided with the three-year anniversary of the death of his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Harry made sure to lay flowers by her graveside, shortly after landing on British soil.

It was clear that family was at the forefront of Harry’s mind during his brief return to the country of his birth, which saw him reconcile with his father, King Charles III, for the first time since February 2024.

Now the prince, who turns 41 today, has given another candid interview, which suggests there has been at least some thawing of the tensions that have shaken palace life in recent years.

READ MORE: Prince Harry ‘didn’t air dirty laundry’ with Spare as his ‘conscience is clear’

After his packed London visit, Harry, who has since made a new life for himself in Montecito, California, flew over to the Ukraine to promote the work of his Invictus Games Foundation (IGF), which aims to support injured veterans, while inspiring others through the power of sport and community.

Sadly, this is a topic that resonates all too well with the people of Ukraine, where many have suffered devastating injuries amid the backdrop of the ongoing war with Russia. It’s here where Harry, a former soldier himself, spoke with The Guardian about why he doesn’t regret opening up about family disputes on several occasions, including during his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and in his 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan.

Here are just some of the bombshells that have gotten people talking.

Hopes of spending more time in UK

Dad-of-two Harry admitted to the publication that he was keen on the idea of spending more time in the UK. He went on to share: “Yes, I have enjoyed the week. I have always loved the UK and I always will love the UK. It’s been good to reconnect with the causes I am passionate about. I have been able to spend some time with people that I have known for so long. It is hard to do it from far away.”

This follows new reports that claim the Duke wants his children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3, to spend more time in the UK so they can benefit from prestigious educational opportunities and the “extensive family network” enjoyed by their cousins.

Speaking with the Daily Mail, a friend who claims they spoke with Harry during his UK visit, alleged: “I can tell you that Harry wants to educate the children here in the UK. Harry feels his children are missing out on the extensive family network that their niece and nephews are enjoying.

“Harry wants his children to have the very best education. He has retained his closest friendship group of confidants from his days at school at Ludgrove and Eton. He wants that for his own children.”

Harry has previously made it clear that the lack of automatic police security for himself and his family has so far prevented him from bringing little Archie and Lilibet back to England, with his own private security not having the jurisdiction or adequate intelligence to keep the Sussexes as safe in the same way that the police would.

However, there does seem to have been some sort of recent breakthrough, with Harry hinting that this past week has “definitely” brought the prospect of a Sussex family visit closer.

Focus on dad

In this same interview, Harry asserted that “the focus really has to be on my dad” in the coming year, suggesting that he’s keen to spend more time with the king.

Both Harry and Charles have kept pretty tight-lipped about the hour-long Clarence House meeting, which saw the father and son enjoy tea together at the London residence.

Back in May, Harry told the BBC that he wished to reconcile with his father in light of his cancer diagnosis, as he “wasn’t sure how much time” Charles had left. He then went on to admit that “some members of my family may never forgive me” after his years of speaking publicly about private family matters.

Cryptic comments about the ‘truth’

In this most recent interview, Harry spoke about the importance of telling the truth, which some have taken to be a jibe against his elder brother, Prince William.

He shared how his wife, Meghan, always told him that truth “is the most efficient way to live”, explaining: “She said, ‘Just stick to the truth’. It is the thing I always fall back on. Always. And if you think like that, who would be stupid enough to lie? It takes up too much time and effort.”

Noregrets over Spare

Although Harry’s frequent admissions about his family have added to the ongoing rift, he apparently has no regrets about sharing his side of the story. According to Harry: “I know that [speaking out] annoys some people, and it goes against the narrative. The book? It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out, and it needed to be corrected.”

“I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public. It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear.”

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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The TV presenter has opened up about his time at school and the pressures of sitting exams after he admitted he upset his mother when he received his results

TV star Vernon Kay has opened up about the moment his A-Level results left his mum in tears. The 51-year-old presenter, who has previously spoken about his struggles with education, said the experience only made him more determined to succeed.

Despite this, he reassured others who may have stumbled or failed that they will eventually find their path.

Speaking to The Sun, Vernon credited his parents for instilling a strong work ethic in him, which saw him take on a variety of jobs.

He said: “Oh, it was terrible, dreadful. I found sixth form quite difficult – I had terrible attention span. I was kind of lost in this world where everyone was growing up and leaving me behind. But you know, you do find your way.

“Mum and Dad gave me a good work ethic. I’ve cleaned phone boxes, I’ve stuck stickers on boxes of bananas, I’ve been a caretaker, I worked in Tesco; I did anything for money because I loved getting paid on a Thursday and spending it on a Saturday.”

This isn’t the first time Vernon has shared the story of making his mother Gladys cry. Earlier this year, ahead of A-Level results day, he recounted the tale to his Radio 2 listeners.

He remembered how she questioned why his grades weren’t as high as she’d expected, to which he responded that he’d been too busy playing football.

Vernon recalled: “We’re only a few weeks away from the dreaded school exam results. I made Gladys cry. What have you been doing for two years?’ ‘I’m really good at football’. That was when I got me A-Level results.”

Vernon’s remarks came just weeks after he’d discussed his own daughter, Amber, whom he shares with wife Tess Daly, preparing for her GCSEs, which brought back memories of his own school days.

He said: “Of course, it’s stressful. I remember my GCSEs…well, I don’t…I’m lying, it was so long ago – 1990 I did mine.

“I remember sitting there thinking, ‘Gosh, I wish I’d revised’. I’m not remembering anymore, it’s making me depressed.

“It’s not the way education should be for me, more practical, playing out, hide and seek, I’d have got A+ in that.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas Skinner has said his wife is humiliated after his affair was made public over the weekend.

The former Apprentice star admitted he has made “big mistakes” and said “If you dig you’ll find more” as he unleashed a lengthy rant to social media. Thomas told fans he’d told his wife to leave him after coming clean but she wanted to stay.

He said he has since become a “target”, and is “being portrayed a public enemy number 1” following revelations of his infidelity.

The former Apprentice candidate confessed to cheating on his wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding. He started seeing Amy-Lucy O’Rourke behind the mother of his two children’s back.

Thomas said it was a ‘one time thing’ and a ‘mistake’ but beauty therapist Amy-Lucy has slammed the claims, insisting their affair lasted months.

After Amy-Lucy’s revelations, Thomas – who is due to star in BBC dance show Strictly this weekend – took to social media to tell fans: “My life ain’t perfect…..far from it. I’ve made big mistakes, I’ve let people down, and done things I’ll always regret in my past.

“The worst was what I did to my wife three and a half years ago…..one stupid moment I’ll carry forever. It was nothing more and nothing less despite what is being said,” he insisted.

“I told her straight away,” said Thomas. “She had every right to leave me back then, but she forgave me…….and that forgiveness changed my life. Since then, we’ve built a new home, had two more beautiful children, and moved forward together. We are stronger. Family is everything to me. It’s what I do everything for. But I’ve noticed I’ve become a target,” he warned.

Thomas continued: “I’ve noticed I’m being portrayed as public enemy number 1. They’re trying to break me and get me cancelled. And if I’m honest, I’m not sure why. I know what it’s like to be low and down on luck. It’s the whole reason why I spread positivity online…. because I know what rock bottom feels like. I’ve been there, many times!! I’m not some full-time celeb in a bubble.”

The Essex entrepeneur said he’s been trying to carry on in the wake of the scandal: “I still graft, I still go to work. In fact I’ve been working this morning before I start strictly training. I’ve taken an absolute battering online and in the press, and I’ll take more. I was told it would happen: first they’ll attack my character, then my family, then my income. And it is happening first hand. Most of what’s said about me isn’t true.

“I’ve got thick skin and the abuse and death threats don’t bother me. In fact some lies make me laugh. But please leave my wife and kids alone. I did this to them by a silly moment of madness over 3 years ago, no one else. If you want to go for someone, go for me. In my life….I’ve lost close friends. I’ve lost family. I’ve got mates doing life in prison. And yes I’ve got an extremely chequered past… more than most. I’ve never shied away from that.

“I’ve made mistakes and if you dig you’ll find more. But here’s the truth: most people have made mistakes. It’s okay to own up to them, it’s okay to talk about them and people do deserve second chances. At the end of the day, it’s about getting back up, rebuilding, and looking after the ones you love.

“And as long as I’ve got my family, I’ll never stop fighting to be a better man. I’ve been forced into a corner to bring up something my wife and I have moved on from years ago. I feel so bad for my wife for having to do this. It’s humiliating for her. I’m sure I’m gonna be forced to talk about other moments that have happened in my life. I’m not sure why everyone is so interested in me……But if I am completely honest….. no one else’s opinions matter apart from those I care about. I Never take any criticism from anyone i wouldn’t take advice from. That’s the truth.

Thomas finished his post by asking: Is it all worth it….?” and then appeared to answer his own question as he told fans: “We keep on going. “

The affair is the latest blow for Thomas after he caused controversy from the very first day of press on Strictly 2025.

The star shocked a room full of journalists and BBC employees when he snatched a reporter’s phone as he was asked questions about the launch of the BBC series.

An insider told the Mirror: “He walked to the table with his head down, he sat down, grabbed one of the reporters phones, who told him to stop. It was a shock. His reaction came out of nowhere.”

Another source told us: “It was totally out of the blue. He was absolutely fine during the first interview. In good spirits and delighted and surprised to be there. Like a competition winner.”

His actions left organisers furious and considering whether he should give up his place on the show. Ultimately it was decided that Thomas should continue and viewers will see the outspoken star being partnered up with a professional dancer from the team this weekend.

Thomas, 34, has been a controversial signing for this year’s series of the BBC series. The dad has drawn strong criticism for Twitter (X) posts saying it is “not far-right” to be “flying your flag and loving your country”, and complaining “it ain’t safe out there any more” in London, saying the city is “hostile” and “tense”.

Thomas Skinner’s mistress Amy-Lucy O’Rourke has hit back at the Strictly Come Dancing star after he tried to downplay their affair, saying she was ‘in love’ with him

The woman who had an affair with Thomas Skinner has hit back at the salesman as he tries to downplay his cheating.

Over the weekend, Strictly Come Dancing contestant Thomas admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke.

The former Apprentice hopeful, 34, said he had a “fling” with an “attractive” single mum who gave him a free cosmetic treatment after they met in a pub – describing his indiscretion as a “moment of madness”.

But Amy-Lucy says it was a three-month-long affair and Thomas acted like a boyfriend with her by doing errands like fixing her car and teasing a possible marriage.

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Thomas, who shares three children with wife Sinead, told Amy-Lucy he was in a “loveless relationship of convenience” and felt pressure to marry his wife due to her family.

“We were originally friends but with his sweet-talking and his lies, he made me believe we were in love and that we were perfect for each other. He would stand in the mirror with me and say, ‘Look, we’ll be Mr and Mrs Skinner’,” Amy-Lucy recalls in a new interview.

Thomas and Amy-Lucy’s affair took place three and a half years ago. when he visited her at her clinic for a body sculpting treatment designed to remove excess fat in June 2022 in exchange for social media promotion.

During the two-hour long sessions, Thomas “opened up” to Amy-Lucy and told the mum-of-one how much he liked her. “He became aroused on the treatment table and I think he was embarrassed,” she claims in her interview with the Daily Mail.

Thomas said of their affair over the weekend: “I’m just so lucky that [Sinead] forgave me. When I told my wife, I fully understood if she were to never speak to me again. It just shows you that 10 minutes can just ruin your whole life.”

He added to The Sun on Sunday: “I had a fling, I suppose, it was nothing more than that, it was the one time, it was a mistake, then I woke up feeling absolutely terrible about it.”

Amy-Lucy disputes Thomas’ version of events. In response to his video interview, she says: “He makes me physically sick. His entire interview, he was trying to downplay the entire situation and make out I was some sort of a ten-minute fling.”

She goes on to recall romantic moments she had with the Strictly star. “He was confessing his undying love for me – we would walk around everywhere and anywhere holding hands and go to cute little country pubs and he would make me a rose out of a napkin,” she tells the publication.

In his own interview, Thomas said the aftermath of his affair “was a very, very dark time”, adding that his wife “never deserved that, she’s such a good person, without her I wouldn’t be where I am today – she made me.”

In a statement to the paper, a spokeswoman for Amy-Lucy said: “This has been an incredibly stressful chapter in her life. She did not have a fling with Mr Skinner, she had a relationship with him.”

This comes after days Thomas apologised for picking up a journalist’s phone and walking out of a Strictly Come Dancing press event midway through.

He later said his departure from Tuesday’s event was not related to the BBC dancing show, and claimed he did so because he had seen messages about his past on the reporter’s phone. He was reported to have grabbed the phone and walked out after objecting to being recorded by a journalist.