Category Entertainment News

According to a royal insider, the high-profile celebrities who attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018 were invited for one key reason

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018, the guest list included everyone from royal family members, close friends and a wide array of the Hollywood elite.

Harry and Meghan tied the knot in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19th 2018, with thousands of people descended onto the streets of Windsor to catch a glimpse of the royal newlyweds, while millions of people from around the world watched the nuptials from home. In comparison to other royal weddings, one unique feature of Harry and Meghan’s guest list stood out: the sheer amount of high-profile celebrities.

Among the famous faces in the congregation were Oprah, George and Amal Clooney, Victoria and David Beckham, Kris Jenner, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, Elton John, and various members from the cast of Suits, who all received gold-embossed invitations for the big day.

Despite the crowd being filled with celebrities, one royal author has claimed that Meghan and Harry didn’t actually know many of the A-listers invited. Instead, it is claimed those lucky enough to receive an invitation only did so Meghan could “recruit” the celebs as new friends.

In her 2022 book called The Palace Papers, royal author Tina Brown wrote: “The celebrity guests were a portrait not of Meghan’s intimate circle but of the friends she most wanted to recruit.”

Ms Brown said that Meghan “scarcely” knew Oprah Winfrey before the royal wedding, having only met once or twice. Oprah eventually went on to be the face of the infamous 2021 interview with Meghan, in which she shared her scathing thoughts on the Firm and how she was treated during her time as a working royal.

The royal author also recalled an intimate conversation overheard from the church pews, with Boris Johnson ’s sister Rachel alleging that Princess Diana ’s former flatmate turned to George and Amal Clooney alongside her in the pew and asked how they knew Harry or Meghan, to which they responded brightly: “We don’t.”

During the wedding, Mr and Mrs Clooney were given seats for the special ceremony right next to Lady Carolyn Warren, the wife of the late Queen’s bloodstock adviser John Warren, and opposite Princess Margaret’s son, Viscount Linley.

Despite the calibre of her wedding guest list, Meghan has seemingly failed to foster lasting relationships with some the celebs after her big day, as none of her wedding guests appeared on her Netflix programme With Love, Meghan.

Viewers largely expected her to bring in the likes of Oprah, tennis superstar Serena Williams and filmmaker Tyler Perry – who is godfather to Princess Lilibet – as guests on her lifestyle show.

Instead, guests featured names such as Meghan’s former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, Delfina Figueras – socialite wife of Harry’s polo-playing chum Nacho – and chef Roy Choi

The biggest stars to appear in the show were Harry himself – who had a few minutes of airtime in the final episode in the eight-part series – and actress, writer and producer Mindy Kaling, who appears in the second episode.

Amazon has slashed the price of La Roche Posay’s highly rated dark spot serum by nearly 50% and shoppers have been praising its ‘superb results’

If you’re struggling with dark spots, uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, La Roche Posay’s Mela B3 Serum might be just the product to help. Praised by shoppers for providing genuinie results and actually making a difference, this product is currently on sale at Amazon.

Originally priced at £48, the Mela B3 Serum is now reduced to £25.56 for a limited time only – that’s almost 50% of the RRP.

Powered by multi-patented Melasyl™ & 10% Niacinamide, this genius formular has been designed to help correct the look of dark spots and fight hyperpigmentation. This happens by the serum intercepting excess melanin at different stages before it’s able to mark the skin.

Alongside preventing any future dark spots, this formula also lightens exisiting pigmentation, while evening out the skin tone with its super lightweight gel texture.

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With over 5,000 reviews, this serum has seriosly wowed shoppers thanks to its geunine results and skin-brightening effect. One happy customer wrote: “Has really worked on my skin. I have been using it for a while now and I can really see the difference in the texture” While a second added: “Works wonders on dark spots. I must say I fell in love with it. It has clearly reduced my dark spots and made my skin more clear and brighten. I loved it, 100% recommended and yes it is original and good value for money. It is feel very lightweight and goes really well with retinol. Next day skin feels soft and more hydrated”

The main criticims came from shoppers who disagreed on whether the price was worth it, and a few claiming there is an unpleasant smell to the serum. A shopper wrote: “One think I did not like it is the smell of the serum but I think I can tolerate that as long it gives me superb results.”

If you’re after some more affordable skincare, Molly Mae has just let us in on her current go-to moisturiser and it’s under £15. The Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Oat Moisturiser is designed for those with sensitive skin thanks to the lightweight formula, which is packed full of skin-loving ingredients, such as antioxidant-rich feverfew and calming prebiotic oat.

Soccer Aid is back with a huge line-up including celebrities such as One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Made In Chelsea’ Sam Thompson and Olympian Sir Mo Farah

Soccer Aid has released their full line-up for the 2025 match which includes several big names such as Louis Tomlinson and Sir Mo Farah.

The charity match is returning this week, taking place at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. The game returns to Manchester for the ninth time as the celebrities get together to raise millions for UNICEF. Since it started in 2006, the event has raised almost £100 million for the charity, helping those in need in countries such as Cambodia.

The full line-up was recently announced, with the likes of Jill Scott, Paddy McGuinness, and Bear Grylls playing for the England team. Meanwhile, Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd and Martin Compston are playing for the World XI team.

Soccer Aid will air across ITV, STV and ITVX and will be hosted by Unicef UK ambassador, Dermot O’Leary, alongside Alex Scott. Meanwhile, Sam Matterface returns as a commentator and Love Island narrator, Iain Stirling, will be on Co-comms duty.

But who will be on each team? The Mirror can disclose the full line-ups…

England Team

• Sam Thompson (Reality star and radio star)
• Louis Tomlinson (One Direction singer)
• Paul Scholes (Former footballer)
• Jill Scott (Former footballer)
• Steven Bartlett (Entrepreneur)
• Alex Brooker (TV presenter)
• Jermain Defoe (Former footballer)
• Toni Duggan (Former footballer)
• Sir Mo Farah (Former Olympian)
• Angry Ginge (YouTuber)
• Tom Grennan (Singer)
• Bear Grylls (Adventurer and TV star)
• Joe Hart (Former footballer)
• Steph Houghton (Former footballer)
• Aaron Lennon (Former footballer)
• Dame Denise Lewis (Olympic gold medallist)
• Paddy McGuinness (TV presenter)
• Gary Neville (Former footballer)
• Sam Quek (Former hockey player and TV star)
• Wayne Rooney (Former footballer and manager)

Last year, Sam Thompson made his debut for the England team. He recently took part in a gruelling challenge which saw him travel 261 miles from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford to deliver the Soccer Aid ball. He could barely walk, let alone run or cycle, after tearing his calf, but was determined to make it all the way to the finish line.

Just a few kilometres from the end of day one’s marathon, Sam felt a pop in his calf. He pushed through the pain, torrential rain, and mental struggles as he finished the gruelling challenge. This week, he’s been focusing on getting better in order to play the the match this weekend.

Meanwhile, the manager and coaches were announced as Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury, Harry Redknapp, Vicky McClure and David James as the goalkeeping coach.

World XI Team

• Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer star)
• Noah Beck (American TikToker and Actor)
• Tony Bellew (Boxer)
• Gorka Marquez (Strictly Come Dancing dancer)
• Leonardo Bonucci (Former footballer)
• Tobi Brown (Sideman star)
• Martin Compston (Line Of Duty star)
• Bryan Habana (Rugby)
• Carlos Tevez (Former footballer)
• Edwin van der Sar (Former footballer)
• Nemanja Vidic (Former footballer)
• Billy Wingrove (Freestyle footballer)
• Big Zuu (Musician and TV personality)
• Dermot Kennedy (Musician and halftime performer)
• Harry Kewell (Former footballer)
• Kaylyn Kyle (Former footballer)
• Nadia Nadim (Footballer)
• Livi Sheldon (Diamond from Gladiators)

Peter Schmeichel, the former Danish footballer, is acting as one of the managers/coaches. The rest have yet to be confirmed.

The event raises money for charity UNICEF UK, with a total of £106million collected so far. As things stand, the World XI, formerly known as the Rest of the World, hold a superior record.

They’ve beaten England seven times to six. Last time out, however, the Three Lions tasted victory for the first time in six years under Frank Lampard at a sold-out Stamford Bridge.

Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday June 15 and will be broadcast live on ITV1, but can also be tuned into online via ITVX and STV.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 15 June at Old Trafford. Tickets are on sale now at socceraid.org.uk/tickets

Fern Britton was left heartbroken following the breakdown of her marriage to Phil Vickery, with the former couple’s split coming after they were hit with a double tragedy

TV star Fern Britton has revealed the brutal way in which her ex husband Phil Vickery cut contact with her after their split, but sadly tragedy struck long before their estrangment.

Fern and Phil, who met on the set of Ready Steady Cook and married in 2000, were known as one of television’s most enduring partnerships before announcing their break-up to the surprise of many in 2020.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain that year, heartbroken Fern revealed the personal struggles that led to their separation, as she explained: “My mum died and my father died and unfortunately Phil and I fell apart.”

Her mother, Ruth, sadly passed away in April 2018, with her father, Tony, following in December 2019, leaving her at rock bottom.

And this week, five years on from their split, Fern admitted that Phil stopped talking to her after her mum died. In a new interview with Yours magazine. She said: “He hasn’t spoken to me for six years now. As soon as my mum died, he stopped talking to me.”

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The TV presenter, 67, insists she tries “very hard” not to say anything negative about Phil for the sake of their 23-year-old daughter Winnie. She said: “Winnie adores him. I’m not going to bad-mouth him in front of her; at least, I try very hard not to. I was the child of divorced parents and my mum never bad-mouthed my father.”

After her split from the This Morning chef, Fern opened up in an interview with the Daily Mail and reflected on her struggles. She shared: “Life had knocked me for six”.

She recounted times despair, explaining: “I remember endless days of indolence, not being able to go anywhere, not doing anything, not wanting to get out of bed.”

Opening up further about life post-divorce, she said: “I’m rebuilt and I’m doing okay. I was lost, then I found a bit of purpose again and it’s been lovely.”

While appearing on the Book Club podcast in 2021, Fern also reflected on the huge personal losses she’s suffered. She said: “Too much happened in the past couple of years – I’ve lost my marriage and I moved out of what was our family home.”

And later speaking to Woman and Home magazine, Fern explained that the former couple’s lives will always be intertwined, revealing: “We simply needed to follow our own paths. Over time we realised we weren’t necessarily having the kind of life we once did. It seemed right to say ‘thank you’ and move on. But we do have a good friendship.”

“Phil and I had the greatest fun together and we have the most beautiful daughter together, Winnie… so we will always be connected.”

The star added: “Life has changed for me in the last 10 years, especially with my career. So it’s lovely to think I can just concentrate on writing, the kids and getting on with life. This feels quite comfortable, and Phil and I knew it was the right thing to do.”

Fern has also previously revealed the surprising catalyst for her divorce from her first husband, TV executive Clive Jones. Appearing on the Walking The Dog with Emily Dean podcast, she said: “He had this degree and I don’t. I secretly went off and did the Mensa. I lied, I said I was going somewhere else, and it took a day to do this test. I passed – and quite well too.

“Then he was furious so he did it because he’s got a huge brain. But he’s not a problem solver and he didn’t get it. So an immense rift opened.”

Fern split from Clive after more than a decade together and the birth of their three kids, twins Jack and Harry and daughter Grace. They called it quits officially in 2000, and later that year, she tied the knot with Phil.

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Austin Powers star, Liz Hurley, has stripped off to celebrate her 60th birthday as she tells fans she’s ‘in love’ after going public with Miley Cyrus’ dad, Billy Ray Cyrus

Liz Hurley has posed nude for her 60th birthday and told fans: “I’m in love” after revealing her romance with Country star, Billy Ray Cyrus, 63. The unlikely couple sent shockwaves through the showbiz world when they went public with their romance in April and now Liz looks happier than ever.

Posing in a field in her birthday suit, wearing little more than a gold necklace to mark her sixth decade on the planet, she wrote: “Happy birthday to me! This year has already been a wild ride; my 30th year of working with the Estée Lauder Companies, my 30th year as the Global Ambassador of the @esteelaudercompanies Breast Cancer Campaign, the 20th anniversary of @elizabethhurleybeach and … I’m in love,” she wrote.

The caption concluded: “Feeling very blessed and grateful for having the best friends and family in the world pic taken this afternoon … in my birthday suit xxx.”

The actress’ son, Damian, was one of the first to respond to the saucy post, as he replied: “Hahaha. I LOVE YOU, happy birthday mama xxx.” Liz’s others fans also sent their well wishes, as one replied: “Like the finest of fine wines. Happy birthday,”, while another added, “The most beautiful woman in the world!!!”

A third commenter wrote, “Happy birthday, still looking as gorgeous as ever! Hope you have a fantastic day!”

Meanwhile, Billy Ray seemed quite overcome by the post as he shared a snap of the two of them cuddling and smiling together, gushing: “Happy birthday to the love of my life.”

Liz and Billy Ray broke the internet with the revelation that they are dating in April. The model shared a picture of the Country star kissing her on the cheek as she marked the Easter weekend.

Alongside the snap, Liz posted the caption Happy Easter alongside a love heart as friends and fans rushed to social media to comment on the new romance. One wrote: “Happy Easter, my darling. I hope you’re having the best time.”

“Oh, who else totally did not have this one on their 2025 bingo card?” another shared, with a third writing: “How many of us were all like WAIT WHAT when we opening the app and saw this?!! Did not see this one coming.”

Liz’s son Damian was quick to post a celebration emoji and a heart emoji under the post, but it Billy Ray’s children haven’t yet had their say publicly on the new romance.

The singer, who is Wreckin’ Ball star Miley Cyrus’ dad reportedly has a strained relationship with his kids – with Trace Cyrus posting an open letter to his dad earlier this year to say the family were “genuinely worried” about him.

In an open letter, he shared: “Since my earliest memories all I can remember is being obsessed with you and thinking you were the coolest person ever. I wanted to be just like you. The day you adopted me was the happiest day of my life.

“Sadly the man that I wanted so desperately to be just like I barely recognize now. It seems this world has beaten you down and it’s become obvious to everyone but you. You may be upset with me for posting this but I really could care less at this point. Me and the girls have been genuinely worried about you for years but you’ve pushed all of us away.”

Miley didn’t respond to the recent comments made by Trace but there has been speculation she isn’t close to her father.

However, Billy Ray recently shared a post celebrating both Miley and younger daughter Noah’s new music.

He wrote: “Holy s*** I seldom ever swear in my post but this deserves one! You are witnessing in real time what it feels like for a Dad who with in less than one [week’s] time has had his ass kicked and his mind blown by not one …but two of his own daughters.”

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