Lucille Barilla | Showbiz Cheat Sheet Writer

‘Sister Wives’: Kody Brown’s Bad Decisions Were His Family’s Downfall

Lucille Barilla — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:56:10 +0000

Historically, Sister Wives star Kody Brown made one wrong decision after another while heading up his polygamist clan. From adding a fourth wife to relocating twice to purchasing a property that would cost millions to build upon, Kody appeared to act first and ask questions later. This led to the downfall of his family.

Kody Brown added a fourth wife to his polygamist clan

Adding Robyn Brown to his family was the biggest mistake Kody Brown could have ever made. Robyn brought an enormous debt to the struggling Brown family, amounting to $32K. The family was still treading water financially when TLC signed them. Adding more mouths to feed, added with Robyn’s debt, strained their finances to their breaking point.

Kody spent more time with Robyn, who catered to his needs. He neglected Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown and their shared children.

Robyn professed to want sister wives, but acted like a kid who wouldn’t share their toys. Robyn was also the reason the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. She couldn’t let her oldest son, Dayton, move away from home to attend college.

Robyn’s helicopter parenting forced Kody to come up with a story about the money they’d make by selling their Las Vegas homes. Soon enough, the entire family relocated to The Copper State.

Meri, Janelle, and Christine’s kids were uprooted from their schools and the life they built in Vegas to a place where they knew no one and had no support system. This massive shift was all for Robyn, who couldn’t bear to be away from her son.

Kody Brown bought property he never intended to build on

In a second lousy decision, Kody Brown took the assets the family generated from selling their Las Vegas homes and purchased Coyote Pass. The Coyote Pass lot alone cost $820K. Kody intended to split the property into five parcels for him, his four wives, and their children.

Instead of purchasing four homes with the money, which would have been a solid investment, the Brown family was now stuck with a massive piece of land. Before they could even try adding homes to the property, the Browns likely needed to have a site plan, clear it out, install drainage, grade the site, and install utilities. That was all before homes could even be built on the property.

Kody continued to rent and buy homes with the equity from their Las Vegas properties and neglected the land. However, the one sticking point for many fans was the fact that the family was getting paid by TLC.

Therefore, they likely did have the funds to build. So why didn’t they get moving and get on the still-empty property? Was not building all storyline related?

Some viewers believe that Kody just acts and reacts when a situation doesn’t go his way. This has historically been the bedrock of all of his bad decisions.

‘Sister Wives’ fans weigh in on Kody’s bad decisions

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

As those most invested in the series, Sister Wives fans had a lot to say regarding Kody Brown’s historically bad choices. They shared their thoughts on Reddit about the Coyote Pass debacle.

“It bugs that they didn’t do any sort of viability test. Check zoning and the ability to get permits, then get a real cost estimate on utilities and the build [at Coyote Pass]. Making these huge financial decisions with a bare-bones plan is idiotic,” wrote one viewer.

“His plan was to entrap them. And by that, I mean financially hold them prisoner. One of them has to buy the other one out to get away,” said a second fan, responding to the fact that Kody’s name was on every piece of property once it was zoned to build.

A third fan shared, “We’ve learned since the show premiered that the things they said about their marriage, relationships, and finances were untrue. And that many of the details were added to make them more wholesome and appealing for TV.”

Finally, a fourth fan exclaimed, “There’s no justifiable reason for the entire family to relocate in the chaotic manner they did. One wife’s child isn’t more important than the others, except they are in Kody’s world.”

Sister Wives is currently on hiatus. Season 19 will air on TLC.

Kate Middleton ‘Steered’ Into Princess Diana’s Footsteps by Prince William, Says Former Butler

Lucille Barilla — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:32:58 +0000

Kate Middleton is reportedly being “steered” into Princess Diana’s footsteps by her son, Prince William. A former butler to the late Princess of Wales believes William is helping Kate blaze her own royal path while, at the same time, keeping to a standard set by his late mother.

Prince William appears to be guiding Kate Middleton in the footsteps of his late mother

Paul Burrell was a butler to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. He believes Prince William is trying to mold his wife, Kate Middleton, into the image of his mother. Burrell shared his thoughts with Closer UK, and his quotes were published by The Sun.

“He’s steering Kate into Diana’s footsteps,” Burrell believes. “I see the way she dresses and behaves. If her mother-in-law could say anything, she would tell her that she’s doing an incredible job. She’s never put a foot wrong and the country adores her.”

He added, “With William by her side, Kate’s safe. Because he will take care of her and would never let anyone harm her.”

At age 15, William lost Diana to a tragic car accident. His brother Harry was just 11.

Therefore, after experiencing such a devastating loss, William remains very protective of his wife. Kate continues to undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

Prince William will protect Kate Middleton at all costs

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Sunday Times royal editor Roya Nikkhah discussed why Kate Middleton remains such a hot topic issue among royal watchers. This heightened press and public demand for information likely upset Prince William. He had a similar experience with his late mother, Princess Diana.

“Having seen his mother go through quite a lot of that, the hounding of his mother, I think he feels he is seeing elements of that being breached again in terms of the demands and screeches at his wife over her medical privacy and that is hurting him,” Nikkhah said.

William sees similarities in how Kate has been hounded by the press about her health and how his mother was targeted for years as a public figure. Therefore, it is understandable that William has been sensitive to the similarities between the treatment of Kate and his late mother, Diana, for years.

However, while he was relatively helpless as a child to do anything about protecting him and Prince Harry from public scrutiny, as an adult, he is taking a different stance when it comes to his wife.

William feels a sense of ‘responsibility’ to protect Kate

Prince William and Kate Middleton photographed in 2011 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Reporter Robert Hardman, author of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, spoke to Fox News Digital about how Prince William’s choices show his sense of “responsibility” to his wife. William has demonstrated his devotion to Kate and their marriage by putting her and their three children ahead of his responsibilities to the crown.

“I think from the start, he’s been protective of her,” Hardman explained. “It’s the same way that [his younger brother] Prince Harry is so protective of Meghan Markle. Both of them have this sense that they have brought upon their wives a degree of attention and stress and all sorts of issues.”

“[William] feels a sense of responsibility [to protect Kate],” he said. “And right from the start, William has been adamant about family security and family privacy. It informs [everything he does]. It’s why they choose particular schools for their children.”

“They are very concerned that their children have as normal and private life as any other child. That’s the overarching thing.”

“William regards raising the next monarch as one of his most important jobs,” Hardman concluded. “People keep saying, ‘What sort of king will William be one day?’ Well, what’s going through William’s [mind] is what sort of king is George going to be?”

Prince William and Kate Middleton reside in Windsor with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Kate Middleton, Prince William’s Kids ‘At Risk’ Each Time They Participate in a Beloved Buckingham Palace Tradition: Commentator

Lucille Barilla — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:06:18 +0000

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are reportedly at risk each time they partake in a beloved Buckingham Palace tradition. According to a royal commentator, standing on the palace’s iconic balcony could be exceptionally unsafe.

The Buckingham Palace balcony is no place for kids, says royal commentator

During an episode of A Right Royal Podcast, commentator Emily Nash discussed the opening of the east wing of Buckingham Palace. Now open for visitors to see for the first time, commentary between Nash, Emmy Griffiths, and Andrea Caamano turned the structure’s size, stability, and security.

The Buckingham Palace balcony has been where the royal family stands as the public watches from below. Emily admits the balcony is “lower than you think.”

Discussions turned to the safety of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Nash said she would be “super nervous” about letting her children step out onto that balcony.

“It’s much lower than you think. Again, you’re not allowed to step out onto it. But it’s quite deep, in terms of fitting several people in, behind each other,” Nash explains.

“The balustrade is not that high. And we were told that they use a small box for the youngest children to see over the top for the flypast.

“But, I have to say, I’d be inclined to sort of put reins on. Particularly with the lively one… not mentioning names,” she added, alluding to Louis.

Other elements of the East Wing new to palace visitors

Correspondent Emily Nash was given a special tour of Buckingham Palace and the new-to-the-public east wing opening. She explained the home’s rich history and why others must enjoy this previously off-limits area of the royal family’s iconic London palace.

Nash explains, “What you need to know about the east wing is that it was built by Queen Victoria. She kept having children. Quite frankly, she and Prince Albert decided that the [original layout] wasn’t quite enough for them.”

“They needed to furnish it. So they went to Brighton where George IV had his opulent summer house. The couple stripped it, and brought it back on artillery carts,” Nash said of the opulent furnishings, light fixtures, and portraits.

The balcony is at the end of the tour. Nash says this element of the visit is unique. However, visitors are not allowed to step out onto it as part of the east wing tour, a choice by King Charles to open up the royal residences to the public.

When does the royal family typically use the east wing balcony of Buckingham Palace?

Upon adding the east wing, Prince Albert, not Queen Victoria, suggested to architect Edward Blore that a balcony be added. Subsequently, Victoria was the first royal to step onto it during the Great Exhibition in 1851, starting the great royal tradition of balcony appearances.

The royal family website states, “Since then, Royal Balcony appearances have marked many occasions from VE Day in 1945 to Jubilees, Trooping the Color and an extraordinary Fly-Past by 100 airplanes to mark the RAF’s centenary in 2018.”

Other events for which the royal family utilizes the balcony are royal weddings. The newly minted bride and groom stand at its center, flanked by other family members. They traditionally seal their union with a kiss.

While Prince William and Kate Middleton were able to follow in the footsteps of his parents, Princess Diana and King Charles, by having their first public kiss on the iconic balcony, Prince Harry did not. That was because he and Meghan Markle married in Windsor, not London.

Buckingham Palace has served as the official royal residence of the ruling monarch since 1837.

Princess Diana’s Death Haunted John F. Kennedy Jr.’s Wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:20:54 +0000

John F. Kennedy Jr. was coined “America’s Prince” by the press as the Kennedy dynasty ruled the political sphere in the 1960s. After his father John Kennedy‘s assassination, John Jr.’s life remained a source of fascination for the American public. Twenty-five years after he, his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette perished in a plane crash, information of how Princess Diana’s death touched the couple is making news.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy couldn’t shake the news of Princess Diana’s death

According to a new book titled Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, was haunted by the sudden death of Princess Diana. The Princess of Wales died in a car accident in Paris, France in 1997.

Fox News Digital spoke to author, Elizabeth Beller. She explained how shaken Carolyn was by the royal’s death.

Beller told the outlet, “She realized right away that paparazzi were chasing Diana, and that was something Carolyn was struggling with herself daily. Diana’s death left a profound mark on her.”

“[Carolyn] was already terrified, but Diana’s death terrified her even more. I believe it led her to seclude herself at home,” the author believes.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy told John F. Kennedy Jr. that he should reach out to Diana’s sons

John F. Kennedy Jr., Queen Elizabeth, Lord Harlech, Jacqueline Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy | Bettmann

As part of the deep pain she felt over Princess Diana’s death, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy told John F. Kennedy Jr. that he should reach out to her sons, Princes William and Harry, to offer his condolences. Author Elizabeth Beller shared details of their conversation.

“She suggested John offer his condolences to William and Harry,” Beller said, per Fox News Digital. “Diana’s death affected John too. He didn’t know them, but it wasn’t an outlandish thing to do.”

Beller continued, “The Kennedys had been around the royal family. There was a monument to JFK in London. There are photos of Little John holding Prince Philip’s hand. The families were very much intertwined, even if John didn’t know William and Harry personally.”

“It sounded like something John would have been quick to do, but I think he, too, was so rattled by Diana’s death and realizing it was because of the paparazzi,” Beller concluded. “He also realized how much it frightened Carolyn. It was too much for him in his life. And seeing someone deal with their parent being mourned in a public way was, I think, overwhelming for him and everything he had been through.”

John reportedly never called Prince William or Prince Harry to share his condolences.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy died just 2 years after Diana

Just one month short of the second anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy were scheduled to attend a Kennedy family wedding off of Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

On the morning of July 16, John planned to fly to Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, via a stop at Martha’s Vineyard to drop off Lauren. The couple would then continue their trip to attend the wedding of Kennedy’s cousin, Rory Kennedy.

John and Lauren left Manhattan to travel to the Essex County Airport in New Jersey. There, John’s plane, a Piper Saratoga, awaited the trio. They arrived at 6:30 p.m., but Carolyn got there at 8 p.m.

The trio took off from the airport, coinciding with sunset. As John was visually trained but hadn’t completed instrument training, he could fly as long as he could see where he was going. However, as night fell and haze set over the coastline, John was ill-equipped to fly the plane visually.

On July 16, 1999, the couple was killed when a plane, piloted by John Jr., crashed into the waters off of Martha’s Vineyard. Her sister Lauren Bessette, who was with them, also died.

It was later found that John was at fault, and pilot error was the probable cause of the crash. John, Carolyn, and Lauren died upon impact when their plane hit the water.

John F. Kennedy, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and Lauren Bessette were cremated, and their ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Massachusetts, where the Kennedy family has lived for decades.

Prince William’s Sweet Nickname for Princess Charlotte

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:08:10 +0000

Although they are members of one of the longest-serving monarchies in modern history, the royal family is, at heart, a family. Therefore, they, too, share endearments for one another. This includes a sweet nickname for Prince William’s only daughter, Princess Charlotte, demonstrating their close relationship.

Prince William’s nickname for Princess Charlotte has French origins

The Wales family isn’t unlike any other family that uses sweet nicknames for its members. William was called “Wombat” by his late mother, Princess Diana. Kate has been known as “Squeak” or “Babykins.” Prince George goes by “PG Tips,” and Prince Louis is “Lou Bugs.”

However as the only daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton, 9-year-old Charlotte holds a special place in her father’s heart. Thus, Charlotte’s nickname is quite endearing, and both William and Kate use it when they address their daughter. The moniker was made public in 2019 when the family looked at Kate’s “Back to Nature Garden” at the Chelsea Flower Show.

In a TikTok clip, William calls out to his daughter, and fans and the press note his use of the touching nickname “Mignonette.” In French, the word, derived from “mignon,” can have several meanings, including “dainty” or “cute.”

However, that’s not Princess Charlotte’s only nickname; Princess Charlotte is said to have several family nicknames. Yahoo! News UK reported that the royal offspring is also called an abbreviated version of her given name.

In school, Charlotte is reportedly called “Lottie Wales.” Around family members, she is just called “Lottie.” Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly call their daughter “Warrior Princess” and “Poppet.”

Who is Princess Charlotte named after?

Princess Charlotte watching a tennis match | Karwai Tang/WireImage

When Princess Charlotte was born on May 2, 2015, Kate Middleton and Prince William debuted their first daughter hours after her birth outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London, England. Her full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a tribute to her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and late grandmother Princess Diana. Charlotte’s first name honors her paternal grandfather, King Charles.

Charlotte is the first royal daughter who can be in the line of succession for the throne. This shift came in 2011 after Commonwealth leaders, who had the late Queen Elizabeth as head of state, agreed to change succession laws.

Therefore, this change meant that Charlotte Wales would take precedence over Prince Louis in the line of succession. Under the old succession laws, the heir to the throne was always the monarch’s first-born son.

When there were no sons, as in the case of the Queen’s father, George VI, the crown passed to the eldest daughter. That is how Queen Elizabeth began a historic 70-year reign.

Princess Charlotte has two siblings, Prince George and Prince Louis. She recently attended Wimbledon with her mother, Kate Middleton.

Kate Middleton ‘Transcends Class’ Like Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana

Lucille Barilla — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:04:48 +0000

A royal commentator places Kate Middleton in the same league as Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana when it comes to bringing class to the monachy. The Princess of Wales took the best of both women and created her version that respects the crown’s tradition with a modern twist.

Kate Middleton helps keep the monarchy ‘in touch’ with reality

Talk TV host Jeremy Kyle spoke to writer Robert Jobson, who compared Kate Middleton to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana. Kyle stated that Kate “transcends class,” similar to that of two of the most influential women in the modern monarchy, and Jobson agreed.

“You are actually right,” said Jobson. “Obviously, what has happened in the last three months? Her journey has been remarkable,”

“She probably helps keep the monarchy in touch when they need to stay in touch,” he continued. “She’s helping a monarchy transition, and that is why I feel King Charles sees her as the daughter he never had.”

“I think he realizes just how good she is,” the author explains. “She is at the heart of this new, modern royal family.”

King Charles ‘realizes’ that for the monarchy to continue, Kate is ‘the bridge’

Continuing their discussion regarding Kate Middleton’s contributions to the monarchy, Jeremy Kyle told Robert Jobson that King Charles has come to a profound realization. He “realizes” that for the royal family to continue into the modern age, Kate is “the bridge” to link traditional and contemporary aspects of the House of Windsor to the public.

“There is a transformation into Catherine the Princess of Wales from Kate Middleton,” Jobson explains. “It was a difficult act to follow Diana.”

“But Kate has grown into the role of Princess of Wales,” the author continues. Before Kate, Princess Diana held the title from 1981 through her 1997 death.

Queen Elizabeth helped guide the monarchy into the modern age throughout her 70-plus-year reign. Princess Diana was its most famous face.

However, Kate Middleton is unique to both women in that she can cross that bridge by retaining many of the traditional ways of the crown Briton’s respect while behaving more modernly. Diana began that journey but was cut short by Charles, who always felt jealous of the attention she received.

Princess Diana bucked tradition, paving the way for Kate Middleton

Princess Diana photographed in 1997 | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Princess Diana broke centuries of royal tradition when she became Princess of Wales in 1981. She worked diligently to create a more modern monarchy despite Queen Elizabeth’s insistence on putting tradition first.

She interacted with the public more than any other royal prior and didn’t wear gloves. Diana enjoyed holding hands and hugging, creating a natural bond between the monarchy and the public.

“She gave the monarchy a jolt. She was determined to make it less remote and led by example on that,” said former BBC royal correspondent Jenni Bond to Reuters. Here are some ways, big and small, that Diana helped modernize the monarchy.

Diana was the first royal to pick her engagement ring. She eschewed traditional wedding vows for a modern twist.

Instead of giving birth at home, as per royal tradition, Diana had her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in a hospital. Subsequently, she was her son’s primary caretaker instead of relying solely on royal nannies.

Diana insisted that her sons be schooled with other children at public school instead of homeschooling during their formative years. She destigmatized AIDS and normalized health issues such as eating disorders and mental health issues.

Subsequently, her sons William, Harry, and Kate developed the initiative Heads Together to help continue Diana’s early work in speaking about mental health. Together, they worked to break the stigma surrounding these types of health issues.

Kate Middleton continues to recover from cancer. She is married to Prince William, and they have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

‘The Bachelor’ Star Daisy Kent ‘Excited to Cheer’ on ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran [Exclusive]

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 16:59:00 +0000

Former The Bachelor finalist Daisy Kent will be watching Jenn Tran in her search for true love on this season of The Bachelorette. Kent is “excited to cheer on” her former romantic rival and can’t wait to support her in her journey. The former reality star is also excited to parlay her television fame into a cause close to home and spoke to Showbiz Cheat Sheet all about it.

Daisy Kent will be watching the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’

After Daisy Kent told Joey Graziadei she realized he wasn’t her person and that she loved him but he wouldn’t choose her, on Season 28 of The Bachelor, she became a fan favorite to lead the franchise for the newest season of The Bachelorette. Ultimately, Jenn Tran became Season 21’s lead, and Kent will watch with interest as she navigates this new season of her romantic life.

Daisy Kent weighs in on Jenn Tran’s season of ‘The Bachelorette’

Do you have any thoughts about the new season of The Bachelorette? Are you watching it, or have you moved on from it?

Daisy Kent: I’m excited to watch it. I started watching it. I’m excited to watch Jenn, and it will be awesome. I’m excited to cheer her on; she will do a great job. So yeah, I’m just thrilled to support her. And also, yeah, I do love the franchise, and there’s been nothing but impressive to me.

Being on the series has also been a springboard for other things for you.

Daisy Kent: Yeah. I did not think on the scale that it’s been on. I didn’t know when I went on that my hearing loss story would impact the way it did. And now, seeing that it did, it does feel like it was meant to happen and that everything in my life has happened for a reason.

Daisy Kent is working to bring awareness to Meningitis after a college health scare

@littlemissdiagnosed
#duet with @Daisy Kent #meningitis #collegelife #littlemissdiagnosed
♬ original sound – Daisy Kent

Why did you feel that now is the time to tell the world about your scare from meningitis?

Daisy Kent: So I’ve talked a lot about my past with my hearing loss and Lyme disease, but meningitis isn’t something that I’ve got to talk a lot about. That’s why I partnered with GSK on their Ask2BSure campaign: I want to raise more awareness about meningitis.

I would like to know your experiences when you realized it had touched your life.

Former ‘The Bachelor’ star Daisy Kent | Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images

Daisy Kent: So when I was a freshman in college, I woke up with a horrible headache. I went to bed, and around 2 am, I woke up. It was really, really bad. I went back to sleep, then woke up, went to biology class, and turned my head, and I had just a shocking feeling that went down my spine, like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

So I went to the doctor on campus right away, and then they had me go to the ER. A guy came in in a hazmat suit, and they just started doing a bunch of tests because they kind of suspected that I had meningitis, and my vitals were crazy, so they were apprehensive. So they started treating me as if I had bacterial meningitis. It came back that I had viral meningitis. I learned that only bacterial meningitis is vaccine-preventable.

Dr. Aprel Barnes, a pediatrician in West Columbia, South Carolina, explained how the disease can be transmitted. “Teens and young adults are at increased risk of meningitis, particularly from the B serogroup, due to their age and common activities, namely kissing, sharing drinks and utensils, and living in close quarters (i.e., college or military barracks).

CDC data from 2015-2018 showed that meningitis B accounted for more than 60% of meningitis cases among teens and young adults 16 – 23 years old.”

For more information, you can go to Ask2BSure.com.

King Charles’ Crushing 4-Word Response When Asked About Prince Harry

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 15:25:52 +0000

It is rare that King Charles publicly speaks about his relationship with his estranged son, Prince Harry. He adheres to the royal motto, “Never complain, never explain” when it comes to addressing the royal family’s personal relationships. However, Charles did utter a four-word response to a question by someone who requested Harry be brought back into the royal fold.

Prince Harry’s royal family absence caused King Charles to respond in this way

King Charles visited the University of East London for its 125th anniversary in February 2023. He was scheduled to open its hospital and training hub and unveil a plaque.

Express reported that Charles was met by university students during the visit. As he mingled with onlookers, a man shouted, “Bring back Harry, please. Can you please bring him back, please, Sir?”

Charles asked aloud, “Who?” The man replied: “Harry, your son.”

The king’s response? “It would be nice.”

King Charles and Prince Harry reportedly remain estranged

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opted out of royal life after being married only two years. The couple, who wed in 2018, wanted out of their royal duties by March 2020.

They released a statement published on Instagram. It reads, “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

However, this decision came with a cost for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Subsequently, the couple became estranged from the king and other senior royals.

By March 2021, Harry told Oprah Winfrey, “When we were in Canada, I had three conversations with my grandmother and two with my father before he stopped taking my calls.” By September 2022, relations between family members remained estranged as Harry and Meghan Markle returned to England for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

Despite rumors that father and son were mending their relationship, Harry continued to speak poorly about royal life in a Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, and his book Spare. King Charles subsequently evicted Harry and Meghan from their Frogmore Cottage home.

Will Prince Harry and King Charles ever reconcile?

King Charles and Prince Harry photographed in 2019 | Samir Hussein/WireImage

Royal author Robert Hardman has reported that a reconciliation will not happen anytime soon. There appear to be too many burned bridges between father and son.

However, Harry did fly to the United Kingdom earlier this year when King Charles revealed a cancer diagnosis. He met with his father for less than a half hour before flying back to California.

To Express, Hardman said, “It’s not what Harry said, it’s the fact that he said it, and he gave away so many secrets. And he was, effectively, at the time of the Queen’s death, you know, he was taking notes.”

Hardman continued, “There he is; he’s got two sons, one he hardly sees, and two grandchildren he’s barely ever seen, and yes, I think he would like some sort of modus vivendi. Clearly, they can’t come back to royal life. I don’t think they want to. And, after all that’s happened, it wouldn’t work.”

“I thought it was telling that when the cancer diagnosis came through back in February, Prince Harry came straight over. People asked why he didn’t stay longer and why he didn’t talk to his father. I mean, there is so much to be worked through, but this was absolutely not the moment to have some sort of summit with Harry about all of Harry’s grievances.”

He concluded, “But I think the fact he came was important, the fact he was received was important; I think what encouraged people at the palace and encouraged the king was that afterward, we didn’t read about it or hear about it. It remained private.”

Prince Harry resides in Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Princess Diana’s First Responder Said ‘I Expected Her to Live’ After Tragic Paris Car Crash

Lucille Barilla — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:19:28 +0000

A fireman who was one of the first to respond to the scene after Princess Diana‘s tragic 1977 Paris car crash admitted, “I expected her to live.” Sergeant Xavier Gourmelon said that upon first examination, he was sure the royal family member would survive the accident that ultimately took her life, that of Dodi al Fayed and the car’s driver, Henri Paul.

Princess Diana was reportedly responsive right her car crashed in Paris, France

In a 2017 interview with The Sun to honor the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, Sergeant Xavier Gourmelon shared details of his encounter with the beloved royal that fateful evening. He claimed that the late Princess of Wales was reportedly responsive when he arrived on the scene.

“We were very close to there, and it took less than three minutes to reach it [the tunnel],” the first responder revealed. “My ten-man team was in two trucks, and we arrived first.”

He continued, “The car was in a mess, and we just dealt with it like any road accident. We got straight to work to see who needed help and who was alive.”

“The woman, who I later found out was Princess Diana, was on the floor in the back. Diana said to me, ‘My God, what’s happened?’ She was moving very slightly, and I could see she was alive,” Gourmelon admitted.

“I could see she had a slight injury to her right shoulder. But other than that, there was nothing significant. There was no blood on her at all.” He concluded, “To be honest, I thought she would live.”

The first responder said the memory of that night ‘will stay with me forever’

A photo of the car Princess Diana was a passenger in after it crashed | Pierre Boussel/AFP via Getty Images

As a passenger of the car driven by Henri Paul and accompanied by a bodyguard Trevor Reese-Jones, Diana and Dodi al Fayed were trying to escape paparazzi who attempted to overrun their vehicle. The couple was en-route from The Ritz Paris, to return to al Fayed’s apartment when a car chase ensued.

However, Paul lost control of the car as he approached the entrance of the Pont de l’Alma underpass. The car ultimately collided head-on with the tunnel’s 13th pillar. That’s when Seargeant Xavier Gourmelon and his team appeared on the scene.

Gourmelon never believed Princess Diana was near death when he pulled her from the crumpled wreckage of a black Mercedes in Paris, France, on Aug. 31, 1997. However, he did conclude the princess was in medical distress with serious injuries after the accident.

“I gave her some oxygen, and my team and I stayed by her side as she was taken out of the car. It was quick because we didn’t have to cut any wreckage,” he explained. Then, Diana stopped breathing.

Gourmelon revealed he performed a medical intervention on Diana. “I massaged her heart, and a few seconds later, she started breathing again. It was a relief because, as a first responder, you want to save lives — and that’s what I thought I had done,” he recalled.

“I know now that there were serious internal injuries, but the whole episode is still very much in my mind. And the memory of that night will stay with me forever,” the first responder concluded.

Why did it take 20 years for the first responder to talk about the night Diana died?

Sergeant Xavier Gourmelon revealed that he kept his experiences of that fateful night to himself for 20 years. There was a good reason for his silence.

He revealed that, due to his position as a first responder, he could only publicly discuss his experiences regarding that evening once he retired. “As a fireman, you are part of the French military, so you are forbidden to talk. Now that I have left the fire service, I felt it was OK.”

“I can still picture the whole scene. It’s something I’ll never forget,” Gourmelon concluded in an interview with The Daily Mail.

Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997. She was 36 and survived by her sons Prince William and Prince Harry.

King Charles’ ‘Distraught’ Over Princess Diana’s Tragic Death: Author

Lucille Barilla — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:27:48 +0000

King Charles found out about Princess Diana’s death hours after a car accident took her life. He reportedly “fell apart” over the news and was “distraught” not only for himself but his immediate family, whom he feared would be blamed for the heartbreaking tragedy.

Princess Diana’s untimely death left King Charles wondering if he’d be blamed

After a trip to France with her boyfriend, Dodi al Fayed, Princess Diana looked forward to returning to England and seeing her boys, Prince William and Prince Harry. The couple were planning to leave the City of Lights when a car crash killed them and their driver, Henri Paul.

Then-Prince Charles learned of the accident in the hours after Diana’s death. At the time, he was on summer break with his sons at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Royal author Tina Brown wrote about Charles’s reaction in the book Diana: 7 Days That Shook the Windsor’s. “He was absolutely distraught; he fell apart.”

“He knew, instantly, that this was going to be a terrible thing. That he will be blamed, that they will be blamed, for the death of Diana,” Brown continued.

Charles subsequently flew to Paris with Diana’s sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes. He argued with Queen Elizabeth for the use of a royal plane. He used that to fly to Paris and retrieve Diana’s body, bringing it home to England.

The New York Times reported on Charles’ gesture. “Diana lost her right to be called ‘Her Royal Highness’ as part of the divorce settlement last year, so she is theoretically not part of the inner family entitled to a royal funeral anymore. But as the mother of a future king, her place in the Windsor dynastic line is secure, and the Prince of Wales’s decision to bring the body back on a royal plane today confirmed that.”

Princess Diana and King Charles were divorced at the time of her death

Priness Diana and then-Prince Charles | Princess Diana Archive / Stringer / Getty Images

Just one year prior, Princess Diana and then-Prince Charles had officially divorced. The couple separated in 1992 after 11 years of marriage.

The couple’s separation came after years of trouble in their marriage. British Prime Minister John Major announced the couple’s formal split, noting it would have “no constitutional implications.”

Per The Washington Post, Buckingham Palace also confirmed at that time that there were no plans for the two to divorce and that they would “from time to time attend family occasions and national events together.”

However, in 1996, a formal divorce decree was announced. Charles and Diana were no longer legally wed.

Queen Elizabeth was criticized for how she handled the tragedy of Diana’s death

In light of Princess Diana’s death, Queen Elizabeth was highly criticized for how she handled the aftermath of the tragedy. Instead of rushing home to London with the royal family, she decided to stay put at Balmoral.

“At the time, you know, my grandmother wanted to protect her two grandsons and my father as well,” Prince William said in the BBC Documentary Diana 7 Days. “Our grandmother deliberately removed the newspapers and things like that, so there was nothing in the house at all. So we didn’t know what was going on.”

William added in the documentary that he and Prince Harry had “the privacy to mourn, to collect our thoughts, and to just have that space away from everybody.” Days later, the royal family returned to Kensington Palace.

Queen Elizabeth subsequently delivered a public address about Diana’s death on Sept. 5, 1997. It was her first live broadcast in 50 years.

She said, “First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.”

The queen continued, “I admired and respected her—for her energy and commitment to others, especially for her devotion to her two boys. This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered. No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her but felt they knew her will remember her.”

Princess Diana died on August 31, 1997. She was 36.