Real reason for Meghan Markle’s first visit to Europe in more than two years

Meghan Markle was snapped at Paris Fashion Week, where former Vogue editor-in-chief Dame Anne Wintour described the Duchess of Sussex’s chic all-white outfit as “amazing”

Meghan Markle made her first visit to Europe in more than two years this week to help “warm up” frosty relations with the Royal Family, it is today claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, was greeted with kisses by the European style pack as well as former Vogue editor-in-chief Dame Anna Wintour during Paris Fashion Week. Royal experts expressed surprise as Meghan went to France without Prince Harry and any state-funded security protection.

But it is now argued the mum of two’s appearance at Paris Fashion Week is actually part of the “Establishment plot” – called “Project Thaw” because it is reportedly designed to “warm up” the Duke’s and Duchess’s frosty relationships with the rest of the Royal Family and with the British people. A friend of the California-based couple said: “This trip is all part of the ‘thaw’ process.”

Speculation grew in the summer about Harry and Meghan’s return to The Firm, despite Harry’s emotional BBC interview in May during which he said: “I can’t see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.”

READ MORE: King Charles makes huge announcement about issue he’s been tackling most of his lifeREAD MORE: Prince Harry steps out for secret solo New York outing without Meghan Markle

But it is understood the picture may have changed for the couple, who are no longer entitled to state security on visits to the UK, and royal insiders believe Meghan’s presence at Paris Fashion Week is a sign of this. The friend told the Daily Mail: “Meghan will return to Britain before the year is out,” adding jokingly that the former actress will be “bearing humble pie”.

In the French capital, Meghan attended Balenciaga show, reportedly in support of Pierpaolo Piccioli, who recently assumed the role of Creative Director for the House. She received praise from Dame Anna, 75, who described the mum’s chic all-white ensemble as “beautiful” and “amazing” at the event. This engagement was captured on video, footage since widely shared on social media, again thought to play well into “Project Thaw”.

It is said “Project Thaw” aims to melt hostility towards Harry and Meghan, building on the perceived success of the duke’s visit to Britain last month when he carried out charity engagements and, crucially, was invited to Clarence House for tea with King Charles. Afte the first face-to-face meeting between father and son in 19 months, Harry joked he felt more like “an official visitor” to the royal residence.

Article continues below

Victoria Beckham reveals for the first time she has to wear earplugs to bed

Victoria Beckham has been married to David Beckham, the ex England footballer, for more than 25 years and the former Spice Girl today spoke about her relationship

Victoria Beckham has told she wears earplugs in bed – because David snores.

The fashion designer opened up about her 26-year marriage to the former England captain in a tell-all interview. Although the mum of four is in a triumphant new Netflix documentary about her career, in the interview, Posh, 51, subtly reminded fans she and David are relatable.

She gushed over David and said, while he snores at night, she wouldn’t ever banish him to the spare room. Victoria said: “That’s not healthy, you don’t want to do that… That’s why you’ve got to do the earplugs.

“I wear earplugs. Let me tell you, it ain’t for fun. What do you think I’m doing it for? It’s not to pull a look in bed. He might look like that, but breaking news, even my husband snores. I have to have the earplugs.”

READ MORE: David Beckham thanks Victoria for giving him ‘four beautiful kids’ amid Brooklyn feudREAD MORE: Victoria Beckham shares heartbreaking childhood experience in new Netflix documentary

The lives of power couple, worth a combined £500million, are laid bare in the Netflix programme. Posh, though, candidly told The Sun she and David like watching the occasional TV drama, listening to podcasts and spending quality time together, just like any couple in a long and happy marriage.

Victoria particularly enjoys reading thrillers, such as Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid’s Secret, billed as a “psychological thriller with a shocking twist”. She recommends reads to David who, because of his OCD, buys his own copy days later.

But making the documentary was “emotional,” the former Spice Girl added. She said: “It was emotional at times. There are certain things your mind has the amazing ability to forget because there were triggering things along the way.

“I went into this saying I didn’t want to talk about the Spice Girls because I’ve spent 20 years building this fashion brand. So I’m mindful I’ve been fighting these preconceptions that I’m just a celebrity face for 20 years. Only now do I feel I’ve earned my right to show in Paris.”

Victoria launched her own fashion label in September 2008, seven years after Spice Girls initially disbanded. The Paris show was the unveiling of her spring/summer 2026 collection — which would have been unthinkable 20 years ago.

Article continues below

Snooty designers keen to fiercely guard their patch dismissed Victoria when the brand was launched. Yet she has shown the resilience for it to triumph and today, her brand sells more than £115million of clothes annually and is worn by everyone from Catherine, Princess of Wales to former First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Tracy Beaker star gives birth to son and says she’s ‘still in shock’ after birth

One of the stars of The Story of Tracy Beaker has just announced the birth of her son and shared what life has been like since his “early and very speedy arrival”

A Tracy Beaker star has welcomed a baby boy and opened up about life since his “early and very speedy arrival”. According to the new mum, she is “still in shock” following the birth.

Over twenty years ago, Chelsie George – then Chelsie Padley – had a starring role in The Story of Tracy Beaker, the franchise’s first show. From 2002 to 2004, she played Louise Govern, Tracy’s best friend.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Chelsie announced the birth of her son Dusty Leigh George. She captioned a video of Dusty in an oversized jumper with: “5.10.25. 5lbs 14oz 35+4 (had to beat his sis). Introducing our impatient little man.”

READ MORE: Noise-cancelling earphones that last ‘over four days on one charge’ have over £100 offREAD MORE: BBC star unrecognisable 23 years after finding fame in Tracy Beaker

Chelsie already has a daughter, Goldie Raynor George. She continued the caption: “We are all head over heels and Goldie is just besotted. Can’t wait to tell you all more about his early and very speedy arrival (still in shock I think) but we are soaking up this absolutely precious time along with a little side of jaundice, very little sleep and LOTS of milk!

“P.s. excuse the colostrum stain… Dusty said hell no to the perfect post, we are in real life baby. P.p.s. he also said… mum, get me some clothes that fit!”

Tracy Beaker herself, Dani Harmer, commented: “Ahhhhh congratulations lovely!!!!!!” Dani came back to the franchise for Tracy Beaker Returns and My Mum Tracy Beaker, as did Montana Thompson, who played Justine Littlewood, Tracy’s nemesis. But Chelsie did not.

Since appearing in The Story of Tracy Beaker, Chelsie was in one episode of children’s TV show Tati’s Hotel and had a cameo in the music video for Someday by Keisha White, which was the theme song for Tracy Beaker. Other than that, she seems to have stepped away from acting.

For the past two years, Chelsie has largely been an influencer, posting content to her social media about being a mother. Her Instagram, @mamaspeachylife, shares snippets of her life with her children and home workouts you can do whilst looking after a baby.

She also posted a pic of her and the new baby to her stories, with the words: “Happy as a pig in poo. Lots of feeds with little sleeps in between. Nothing better than your own bed.”

Shortly after, she shared her fears about looking after a newborn again, saying there was a “constant worry”. “One thing I forgot about the newborn days is the constant worry with their temperature.

“Is it too hot? No, I feel a nip in the air. They need one more layer than us but then do [premature babies] need more? Ahhh don’t let them overheat. Hat? No hat? Feel the back of the neck. Feel the tummy.”

Chelsie also posted a picture after heading back to the hospital but promised her followers that everything was okay. “Nothing to overly worry about, little man just came out all early and bolshy and now is a sleepy jaundice little kind so we’ve headed back to hospital for a holiday on the sunbed.”

Article continues below

Millie Bobby Brown shares quick glimpse of adopted baby daughter with Jake Bongiovi

Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and her husband Jake Bongiovi shared a sweet peek at their recently adopted baby daughter in a new post

Millie Bobby Brown snuck in a snap of her baby daughter, who she adopted with husband Jake Bongiovi. Earlier this year, the 21-year-old Stranger Things star and her husband, 23, wrote in a message on social media that they adopted a “sweet baby girl” together.

They wrote in August: “This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption. We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy,” with fans and friends rushing to the comment section to congratulate them on the happy news.

The post, which was accompanied by the Beatles’ Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, continued by reading: “And then there were 3.” It was then signed off by Millie and her husband Jake, who shared his surname at the end of the message to fans.

READ MORE: Millie Bobby Brown’s new film hailed as ‘Black Mirror romcom’READ MORE: James Norton reveals he got ‘nepo dad’ a part in Netflix hit House of Guinness

Two months later, Millie sneakily placed a glimpse of their daughter in a carousel of snaps shared on her Instagram page. In the snap, Millie and Jake sat side by side and leaned their foreheads towards each other. The baby’s legs could be seen peeking through in between them.

She captioned the post: “My t swift october,” and gained almost 700,000 likes in two hours. Fans were in awe over the happy couple, with one writing: “Jake and you and the sweet baby girl.”

Another added: “You’re so thriving i love this for you.”

The news came after Millie and Jake, who is the son of Jon Bon Jovi, got married in 2024 following their engagement in 2023. They confirmed that they had tied the knot in separate posts on the platform in October following speculation.

Alongside photos from their wedding, Jake wrote in a post at the time: “Forever and always, your husband.”

Whilst Millie wrote, beside a series of photos from the nuptials, in the caption of her post: “Forever and always, your wife.”

Millie previously opened up about her desire to become a parent. Speaking on the SmartLess podcast in March, she said she hopes for a “big family” and even mentioned adoption.

She said: “Jake knows how important it is to me [to have a child].” She talked about balancing having a family with her career.

Millie said on the podcast: “Of course, I want to focus on really establishing myself as an actor and as a producer, but I also find it’s so important to start a family, for me, personally.” Millie then commented: “Like, it’s a huge thing.”

Article continues below

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Shoppers ditch cheap tights for pair that ‘feel soft, warm and comfortable’READ MORE: Final few hours to shop best Amazon Prime Day 2025 deals including Apple and Dyson

Denise Welch gives the lowdown on Charli XCX’s star-studded wedding

The Loose Women star shared her thoughts on the big bash in Sicily celebrating the Brat singer and her new husband George Daniel

Denise Welch is revelling in her icon status after living it up at Charli XCX’s wedding. The Loose Women favourite danced the night away at the celeb-packed bash in Sicily – and Denise said it was the best party she’d been to all year.

Speaking at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, Denise – who has known groom George Daniel for years through son Matty Healy’s band The 1975 – said she had the time of her life last month. Attending the event of the year with husband Lincoln Townley, she said: “It was just the most wonderful time and completely unpretentious.”

Geordie actress Denise shared selfies with celeb guests from the big day on Instagram and was called an icon by fans. “It was quite exciting for me to post pictures of lovely people that I’d met at the BBQ. One of those turned out to be Troye Sivan. All these really cool people I didn’t know at the time until my Instagram blew up. It was testament to Charli and George just how lovely and relaxed it was. It was great, I’m very happy for them.”

Son Matty and his fiancé Gabbriette joined in with the wedding festivities – and Denise said she can’t wait to be there for his nuptials. “I am looking forward to that,” beamed Denise. “He is engaged, so that will happen. I love my daughter in law to pieces.”

Whilst Matty may not have made her a grandmother yet, she said she might be getting the practice in soon with their pet rats. “She had two rats. Sadly Bobby Robson has died. But Splinter is still flying. I’m a grandma to the rats.”

Former Coronation Street favourite Denise, who also starred in Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road, revealed her next big telly project – Channel 5 drama series Death In Benidorm “It’s a bit like Death In Paradise,” she explained. “I can’t say much but I’m playing a drag club owner. I’ll be in my element. I fly out in a couple of weeks to start filming.”

Denise Welch was among the celebrity guests at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards. The evening, hosted by Jamie Laing and Mika, featured performances from Scissor Sisters and and Calum Scott. Denise presented The Comedy Award to Tom Allen.

Article continues below

Among the night’s top honours at London’s Roundhouse, Russell Tovey was named Man of the Year, presented by Russell T Davies; Elizabeth Hurley received the Honorary Gay Award, presented by Anna Richardson; and Dannii Minogue was celebrated as this year’s Ally Award recipient, presented by Josh Cavallo.

The Inspiration Award was presented to the Williams family in honour of the late The Vivienne, recognising the creation of The House of The Vivienne and their campaigning around addiction awareness. The Vivienne herself received the same honour in 2022.

‘Inseparable’ Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz take major relationship step

Pals say Harry Styles and his actress girlfriend Zoe Kravitz are set to take a huge step in the relationship and reveal what “very attractive quality” Zoe sees in Harry

Friends close to Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz say “this is love” for the couple as they prepare to take a major step in their relationship. The singer and the Batman star are said to be inseparable – and are planning to move in together.

Harry and Zoe’s relationship was revealed in August and throughout the past month, they were seen growing closer in New York, where she lives. Following a series of holidays together, pals are now saying that they will both relocate to Harry’s Hampstead home when Zoe returns to work.

A source said: “Harry and Zoe have a real connection — this is love. It’s a real honeymoon period and they’re barely apart. Zoe has to get back to work on a film so she’s coming to London and will be staying with Harry while she’s here. They’ve had an amazing summer together and things are only getting more serious between them.”

READ MORE: Remington hairdryer that even ‘hairdresser was impressed with’ is now under £20READ MORE: Louis Tomlinson reveals whether One Direction will reunite after Liam Payne’s death

The couple has been seen together all over Europe, including Rome, Paris and Ibiza. In between their holidays together, Harry has been staying in the US with his girlfriend. According to press, both his mother Anne and Zoe’s rockstar father Lenny Kravitz both approve of the relationship.

An insider revealed to The Sun what Zoe likes the most about her boyfriend: “Zoe thinks Harry is cool without trying and that’s a very attractive quality in ­Hollywood, when most people are too busy trying to desperately break through or stay relevant.

“He treats everyone the same, whether they’re famous or not and she’s found that refreshing. Lenny is like that and growing up with such as famous dad, that ethos was instilled in Zoe – to be kind, to never be a diva.”

In May, Harry split from Taylor Russell, a Canadian actress he had been dating for 14 months. Sources close to the pair said the break-up was amicable and down to conflicting schedules that made seeing each other difficult. Zoe was single at the time, having ended her engagement to Channing Tatum in October 2024.

Harry’s most famous ex is Taylor Swift, who has recently released her twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl. The two were reportedly dating for only two months, starting in December 2012 and ending in January 2013.

Some songs on a previous Taylor album, 1989, are speculated to be about Harry. Fans have speculated that the 2014 song Style is about their whirlwind romance and likened the “James Dean” looking man in the song to Harry’s personal style at the time.

A later addition to the album, Is It Over Now?, is also rumoured to be about the British singer. Some fans have suggested this song and the way it sings about one of Taylor’s partners searching “in every model’s bed for something greater” works as a companion song to Harry’s From the Dining Table. In the 2017 track, Harry singes about waking up next to “the girl who looked just like you I almost said your name”.

Article continues below

Taylor has gone on to date and become engaged to Travis Kelce. The two announced their engagement in August, just after the announcement of The Life of a Showgirl. Many songs on the new album are about Travis, including Wood and Wi$h Li$t.