Category Entertainment News

As the Princess Royal celebrates her 75th birthday, she has enforced one rule that will stop the royal family from engaging in too much fanfare for the special day

As Princess Anne celebrates her 75th birthday today, she will not be expecting balloons, cake and fanfare from the royal family, at her own request.

Due to an unusual self-imposed rule the Princess Royal adheres to, her 75th birthday will be a low-key event that will ensure “no-frills” from the Firm, as she reserves big celebrations for milestone birthdays only.

Princess Anne will also not be having a large party to celebrate the day, instead choosing to mark her birthday earlier this year as she brought representatives from more than 300 charities and organisations she supports together for a special forum at Buckingham Palace . It comes after Kate halted her summer break to release a new video with emotional statement.

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In Anne’s true understated style, she has opted out of a large family gathering for her birthday, as expert Roya Nikkhah revealed her unusual rule on the Royals with Roya and Kate podcast. Roya claims that the Princess Royal has a ‘no-frills’ approach to her birthdays which means she only celebrates major milestones.

‘Anne’s policy is: “I will do things for my birthdays that have a zero, but I won’t do things for my birthdays that have a five,”‘ Roya said.

She added Anne has reportedly cancelled meetings in the run up to the big day to avoid discussions about how she might mark her 75th.

Anne was unfortunately forced to cancel her last major birthday celebration in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when she celebrated her 70th birthday.

At the time, the Daily Mail reported Anne had been due to celebrate her 70th with a gathering hosted by her mother Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Instead, The Princess Royal marked the occasion with a sailing trip around the west coast of Scotland with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

The late Queen also hosted a secret, socially-distanced lunch with her daughter at Frogmore House – an empty private royal residence on her Berkshire estate – to mark the occasion. No other members of the Royal Family were present, and only minimal staff – who were part of the Queen’s castle ‘bubble’ at the time – attended the event.

Anne’s next milestone birthday will be her 80th in 2030 and, according to Roya, Anne plans to start “winding down” her royal duties after that.

The royal insider said: “I was told that she’s told her team: ‘I’m going to start winding down a little bit at 80, in five years’ time, and then I want to step back completely at 90’.”

The expert further suggested that Anne will likely follow in the footsteps of her late father, Prince Philip, who stood down from official royal duties at the age of 96.

Monster’s Ball star Halle Berry classily hit back at her ex-husband, David Justice, after he made comments saying she ‘didn’t cook, clean or seem motherly’ during their marriage

A-list star Halle Berry has hit back at her ex-husband, David Justice, after he revealed the controversial reason he split up with the Hollywood actress. David was married to the Monster’s Ball star for four years from 1993 to 1997, but not much is known about the duo’s divorce.

In a recent podcast, David cruelly hit out at Halle and claimed he left her because she didn’t cook, clean or seem “motherly”. Speaking on the All the Smoke podcast with co-host Matt Barnes, David reflected on his high-profile relationship with the Catwoman star and said: “If we have kids, is this the woman I want to have kids with and build a family with?

“And at that time, as a young guy, she don’t cook, don’t clean, don’t really seem, like, motherly.” It comes after Mel B’s ‘spiritual’ Moroccan wedding with non traditional dress.

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He added that eventually he “realised this isn’t the person I wanted to spend my life with”, but claimed he later understood that the marriage could have been saved if he “knew about therapy”.

David concluded: “It’s just that I, because I was young, had only been in honestly one real relationship before her. My knowledge and my understanding and my wisdom around relationships just wasn’t vast.”

Halle remained silent about his comments but recently took to her Instagram page to share sizzling snaps of herself in a bikini as she enjoyed a sunny holiday with boyfriend, Van Hunt, for her birthday.

She included a snap of herself holding a wine glass with her toes as she soaked up the sun as well as a picture of herself laughing while sipping on coconut water.

The star simply wrote in the caption: “Phew…! cooking, cleaning and mothering,” which prompted a flurry of comments from impressed fans.

“Bahahhaaaaa Caption Queen, Love you!” one person wrote and another person added: “Stay unbothered! I love this for you!” One fan commented: “You better let em know!!!”

Following David’s comments about Halle, many fans slammed the MLB star, with one taking to X, fuming: “Motherly? She was his partner, not his mom.”

Another said: “Imagine expecting Halle Berry, the first Black actress to earn $20m for a movie, the #1 most desirable woman in the world for decades, the first Black woman to win an Oscar, to stay home to cook and clean. Men and audacity.”

Meanwhile, a third raged: “David really expected THEE Halle Berry in her prime to be a stay at home housewife. Talk about an all-time fumble for Mr. Justice.”

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Love Island star Dejon Noel-Williams has hit out at ‘untruths’ as he continues to be the subject of criticism following his time in the Spanish villa with Megan Moore

Love Island star Dejon Noel-Williams insists he’s been the target of “a lot of untruths”. The 26-year-old telly star has come under fire for his treatment of girlfriend Megan Moore during their stint in the Love Island villa, and is now the focus of a new book – Surviving Dejon – written by his stepsister, Niah Sienna.

Addressing the recent backlash, Dejon, who fans hit out at multiple times while he was on the show, told Capital XTRA: “There’s a lot of untruths and a lot of unfair stories which I am challenging at the moment. The most important thing is that Meg knows who I am, my family know who I am, and my friends know who I am.”

Dejon also expressed gratitude to Andrada Pop and Billykiss Azeez for their recent backing. It comes after Andy Carroll ‘splits from Lou Teasdale due to her demands’ weeks after public row.

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He said: “Even shoutout to Andrada and Billykiss because when we saw them when was coming out of the villa they were basically saying, ‘Dejon, there’s so much things being said about you. We know that’s not you. We know that’s not who you are as a person’.

“So yeah shoutout to them two because they didn’t need to do that.”

Recently, Dejon took to social media to remind the public that he’s a “human being with real emotions”. He posted on Instagram: “I’ve stayed quiet, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t affected me.

“I hold my self accountable for my communication and everyday I’m growing as a person, so thank you for those who see the good in me.

|I’m not just a character on an entertainment reality tv show I’m also a human being with real emotions, some of the stuff I’ve seen said about me has been hard to deal with and they are the furthest thing from the truth.”

He added: “I questioned why people would do these things and it was getting me nowhere as I couldn’t understand and is something I would never do to somebody else but what’s kept me grounded is movement.

“Running, training, pushing myself when everything in my head feels heavy. It clears my mind, helps me breathe, reminds me of who I am outside of the noise.

“If you’re struggling mentally, I get it. I really do. You don’t have to have it all figured out just find that one thing that brings you back to yourself and take it one step at a time.”

*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk

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Today’s horoscope for August 15 sees one star sign feeling sidelined, as another turns chaos into structure

It’s Friday, August 15th, and one star sign itches to make a positive impact, while another gets ready to be spoilt.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Finishing a task on schedule is essential for your professional success. If you realise there’s a chance you might miss a deadline, inform all those who may be affected by this, as early as you can. While this information may not be welcomed, it allows others to create an alternative plan.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

You would love to cosy-up at home with your partner, but social commitments are beckoning. Missing a party might upset a friend. Gather your energy, dress up nicely, and go out. Once you get there, you will quickly find yourself enjoying the atmosphere.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Before making any large purchases, check your bank balance. You may have forgotten about an automatic annual payment or overlooked a big bill. Even if you can afford a pricey item, hold off for a few days before making the purchase. Saving your money will give you some extra flexibility in the future.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

Home is where your heart lies, but work demands your attention. You have little choice but to attend to outside commitments. Once you get these out of the way you will be ready to unwind and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Allow your loved ones to spoil you.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

When a friend comes to you with their problems, all of a sudden concerns that have been on your mind will appear quite small. You have always been generous and giving and by following this natural instinct, you will attract good luck. An opportunity to learn from a respected mentor is on the cards.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

You’ve always been good at bringing structure to disorder. No one makes order out of chaos better than you. Taking charge of a group of imaginative yet scattered people will be an exciting challenge for you. You will receive generous compensation for your efforts just as long as you negotiate a fair salary.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

You are trying too hard to please other people. You’re under a lot of pressure from your peers. Remember, you can’t keep everyone happy. In which case, it would be better to do what feels right for you. If someone complains about your choices, remind them to concentrate on their own life.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

If you want to help make a difference to your community, start a program to support those In need. You genuinely care for others and hate to see anyone suffering. By tapping into your wide social connections, you will be able to make a positive impact.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

You’re feeling playful, energetic and keen to socialise. Take this chance to spend some quality time with your loved ones and friends. Treat yourselves to a delicious meal or visit a favourite place together. Breaking free from the daily grind will feel refreshing.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

If you find yourself struggling, don’t be too proud to admit it. There are people with more expertise who would gladly step in to help. It might take some time to fully understand a task, so just be patient. Usually, you pick things up quickly, but this particular job has many subtleties that may require extra time.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

It has always been important for you to be able to help friends and family when they need you but don’t be too quick, today, to come to someone’s rescue. A friend who often gets themselves into trouble is starting to rely on you too much. Encourage them to stand on their own two feet.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

You may not get the chance you were hoping for to display your skills. It might feel as if you have been sidelined but don’t give up. Although working behind the scenes isn’t what you had been planning, you will gain some important information by staying quiet and watching what’s happening around you.

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Andy Carroll, the former England footballer, and girlfriend Lou Teasdale split recently having had a 14-month relationship after meeting at Glastonbury in June 2024

One of the “final straws” which led to Andy Carroll’s split with Lou Teasdale was a huge row at Glastonbury, it is reported.

It is said Lou, 41, packed her things and left the festival early in June following the bust-up, thought to have been the latest in a string of arguments. Andy and Lou had gone to Worthy Farm for a weekend away to celebrate their one-year anniversary, having met at Glastonbury in 2024.

But Lou “could take no more” and left the festival without her 36-year-old partner, who was a footballer for Newcastle United, Liverpool and West Ham United among other teams. Their split emerged this week, with it now understood Lou ended the relationship rather than Andy.

Sources close to the couple understand the row at Glastonbury ultimately led to the breakup. One friend of Lou’s said: “They’ve been on the brink for weeks. Lou left Glastonbury early after yet another bust-up. It got so bad that she decided to leave – it was quite a major milestone. It was supposed to be a happy weekend away, but it instead it was awful.”

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Lou, a make-up artist, is thought to be “very upset” over how the split has “played out” and the “arguments” between them had been “especially difficult” for her. Andy has reportedly tried to reconcile but it is believed Lou is not interested in this.

“She left without him because she could take no more… But in the end it was how things were between them: they’d argue, make up, argue again – one of those relationships,” Lou’s friend told Mail Online.

But sharing a screenshot of what she suggested was misinformation in the media on her Instagram Stories yesterday, mum-of-one Lou told her 5.7 million followers: “My friends love Andy.”

Earlier this week, it appeared Andy was no longer following Lou on Instagram and insiders claimed the former Liverpool and England striker had blocked his girlfriend of one year on the platform.

But an insider previously revealed to the media: “It was Lou who ended her relationship with Andy, she walked away a few days ago, it was very much her choice to end their romance.” They stated that she isn’t interested in “pointing the finger” or “blaming” Andy, and had hoped to handle their split privately.

Beat the back-to-school nerves with these top-rated toys that are fun, calming, and perfect for helping kids feel relaxed and ready a new term

The back-to-school season is nearly upon us, and along with thinking about school uniforms and accessories, it’s worth thinking about mindful toys and games that can help your kids calm down during stressful situations.

Anxiety among kids and young adults is on the rise, not only during term time but also throughout school holidays, when the lack of routine can leave many feeling unsettled.

Therapeutic games and calming activities are a fun and gentle way to help kids feel more in control and do more than just keep little hands busy. Not only do they help calm little ones down, but they also distract their eyes and minds from screens.From educational books to distracting fidget toys and anxiety-reducing plushies, we’ve rounded up all the games you need starting from £5.

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This portable silicone sensory board helps kids develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and focus through fun play. Easy to clean, safe, and screen-free, it’s a calming, creative activity that’s perfect for travel or quiet moments.

These are perfect for children who are feeling overwhelmed, as using a fidget toy can help focus their attention and energy. They’re pocket-sized, making them easy to carry and the perfect portable toy for school or on-the-go moments. They can help reduce stress and anxiety while boosting focus, which makes them great for both kids and adults.

If you’ve got a child nervous to start or head back to school in September, this adorable, fluffy monster toy can act as a little buddy to pop inside their backpack for some courage.

This handy book from Mrs. Wordsmith helps kids express themselves and build emotional intelligence while being engaging and educational. Each day, a new illustrated feeling is revealed to spark conversations about emotions, while the back of each page features thoughtful prompts, stories, and activities.

Emma Madden, Headteacher at Fox Primary School says: “A fantastically fun way to develop phonic knowledge. The audio tracks ensure correct pronunciation, while the tiered decks allow differentiated instruction.”

This interactive world globe helps kids learn through fun facts, games, and videos, making education both exciting and engaging. The playful characters and hands-on activities also provide a soothing distraction for children with anxiety, helping them focus and relax while they explore.

These affordable mindfulness cards from Amazon teach kids calming exercises, breathing techniques, and sensory activities to help them focus and relax. Perfect for use at home or on the go, they offer a fun, portable way to reduce anxiety and encourage a sense of calm.