John Lithgow on the Dumbledore backlash: ‘I wonder how JK Rowling copes'
'I hadn't intended to show you this. I'm not even sure I should,' Lithgow, 79, says, adjusting his black-rimmed spectacles as he scrolls through his phone. He shows me a text from a friend, a link to an article titled An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter. The article claims that JK Rowling is 'anti-trans' and 'attacked trans kids directly, saying 'There are no trans
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Tatler Asia
4 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Princess Diana abroad: a look back at her royal visits in Asia and the Middle East
Oman (1986) The couple's 1986 Gulf tour began in Oman, where they were received by Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. Diana was taken to a dramatic cliff in the Hajar Mountains, with a panoramic view of the breathtaking landscape—a site later dubbed 'Diana's Viewpoint' in tribute to the impression she left on the country. Qatar (1986) Next up on the royal Gulf tour was a trip to Qatar, where they were welcomed by then-Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. Here, Diana visited Doha English Speaking School and the royal couple watched a traditional camel race in a desert near Doha. The princess also had another iconic fashion moment, wearing an ice-blue Catherine Walker evening gown that was later part of the collection that was auctioned for charity. Bahrain (1986) During their visit to the island nation of Bahrain, the royal couple attended formal receptions and state dinners held by the Royal Court of then-Emir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, wear Diana wore a white silk evening gown designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel. The couple also visited Al-Fatih Mosque (then known as Al Fateh Islamic Center). Saudi Arabia (1986) During their 1986 Gulf tour, the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled to Saudi Arabia, where King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud hosted the royal couple. Charles and Diana's itinerary included a visit to a Bedouin camp in Al Thumamah, a stop at the Equestrian Club in Riyadh, and a formal state dinner. At the banquet, Princess Diana wore a black-and-white Emmanuel evening gown, adding another standout moment to her memorable looks. Thailand (1988) In 1988, Charles and Diana travelled to Thailand as part of their royal tour, where they joined in celebrating King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday and were warmly received by the royal family. Among the memorable moments of their visit were a trip to Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, and Princess Diana's spirited participation in pétanque games with local residents. During a state dinner hosted by the Crown Prince in Bangkok, Diana once again demonstrated her gift for diplomatic dressing. Paying tribute to the host country, she wore a saree-inspired Catherine Walker gown in colors reminiscent of the lotus flower, Thailand's national symbol, with a matching bloom tucked into her hair. Hong Kong (1989, 1995) Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited Hong Kong in 1989 as part of their royal tour of the region. During their stay, they toured the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai, viewed the newly completed Bank of China Tower, and visited the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital. It was during this trip that Princess Diana wore her now-famous pearl-encrusted white Catherine Walker gown, dubbed the 'Elvis Dress' for the high, structured collar of its matching bolero jacket. The glamorous gown further cemented Diana's reputation as a global fashion icon. In 1995, Diana returned to Hong Kong solo for a private visit where, continuing her charitable and humanitarian work, she visited a teenage runaways' home and the Eastern Hospital. Kuwait (1989) As part of their second official Gulf tour in 1989, Charles and Diana visited Kuwait, where they were received by Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During their stay, they attended a formal dinner hosted by Crown Prince Saad Al-Salim Al-Sabah, with Princess Diana donning a pink Catherine Walker gown adorned with intricate embroidery. The visit also saw Diana touring the Islamic Museum and spending time with children at a local school run by the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped. United Arab Emirates (1989) During Charles and Diana's trip to the UAE in 1989, the couple met with His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Highlights include front-row seats to a camel race in Al Ain, a luxurious picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis and visiting a number of Sheikh Zayed's private majli. Indonesia (1989, 1993) In 1989, the royal couple included Indonesia in their royal tour, where they were hosted by President Suharto and First Lady Siti Hartinah, who honoured their visit with a state banquet. The defining moment of the visit came at the Sitanala Leprosy Hospital, where Princess Diana shook hands with patients without gloves—a powerful gesture that challenged stigma and showed the compassion she would become known for. Diana would later return to Indonesia in 1993, after her separation from Prince Charles was announced, spending time with friends on a holiday in Bali. Pakistan (1991, 1996, 1997) Princess Diana visited Pakistan three times during her lifetime. Her 1991 trip marked her first official solo royal tour in Asia, with a focus on humanitarian work and social causes. During her stay, she visited a school for the deaf and the Pakistan Women's Association and Norpoor Family Welfare Centre in Islamabad, as well as a detox centre and King Edward Medical University in Lahore. She also toured cultural landmarks, including Sheesh Mahal, Khyber Pass and Badshahi Mosque, where she was photographed respectfully observing local customs by walking barefoot and wearing a headscarf. Diana returned to Pakistan in 1996 for a private visit, spending time with friends Imran Khan and his then-wife, Jemima Khan (now Goldsmith), to help Imran raise funds for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. Her final visit came in 1997, when she attended the official opening of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, and spent time visiting Jemima Khan. India (1992) Above Diana Princess of Wales sits in front of the Taj Mahal (Photo: Tim Graham) In 1992, Charles and Diana traveled to India, but maintained separate itineraries and engagements. At the time, rumours of marital trouble were already circulating, and these were further fuelled by one of the most striking images from the trip: Diana sitting alone on a marble bench in front of the Taj Mahal, the world's greatest monument to love. The photograph became a defining image, widely interpreted as a symbol of Diana's isolation within the royal family and her loneliness in a failing marriage. Beyond the media frenzy surrounding her visit to the Taj Mahal, Diana continued to embrace her growing role as a champion of humanitarian causes, visiting Malu Village in Rajasthan, where she casually interacted with local women and children, and spending time at the Mother Teresa Orphanage in Kolkata, where she met with Mother Teresa. Nepal (1993) After her separation from Charles was officially announced in 1992, Diana took her first official solo trip in 1993 to Nepal as a patron of the British Red Cross. Aiming to draw attention to the health challenges the Nepalese face, she visited remote villages and interacted with the locals. She also highlighted her work in eradicating the stigma around leprosy, showing her continued support for the Leprosy Mission by visiting clinics and communities in Nepal. She was welcomed by government dignitaries and the royal family, dining with King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya at the Royal Palace, attending a banquet hosted by Crown Prince Dipendra at the Narayanhiti Palace and receiving a courtesy call from the Nepalese Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala at the British Embassy.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- News.com.au
Nick Frost on How To Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter reboot and his special link to Robbie Coltrane
Less than a month out from the start of filming for the rebooted Harry Potter series and new Hagrid Nick Frost says he's already impressed the people he most wanted to impress. The UK actor, currently starring in the live action remake of How To Train Your Dragon, is taking the role over from the late Robbie Coltrane, who played the part of the kindly bearded giant in the eight Harry Potter films that were released between 2001 and 2011. Though he never met him in person, Frost says he was a huge fan of Coltrane growing up in the 1970s and 1980s – and apparently the feeling was mutual. 'I loved the fact he was massive and angry and that's how he began, as a kind of people's poet in a way,' says Frost over Zoom call from London. 'And I love that working-class element he brought to everything he did. I had never met him, but my best friend Danny knows his family very well. 'And apparently his kids phoned my mate Danny to say 'We are so happy that Nick got the role of Hagrid and that Dad was a really big fan of his'. So that to me kind of closes a book in terms of 'my job is done' because I feel like they're the only people I had to really impress.' Frost joins established actors including John Lithgow (Professor Dumbledore), Janet McTeer (Professor McGonagall) and Johnny Flynn (Lucius Malfoy) in the hugely anticipated Max series – as well newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Staunton and Alastair Stout, who play Harry, Hermione and Ron – and he says he's 'excited' to finally get started. 'We're like a month out from shooting and – being a fan and being a massive fan of fantasy – getting to go into a place where they are designing wands and the Sorting Hat and here's some owls, it's like 'this is amazing',' he says. 'It's just not lost on me and every time I go in and see a tiny bit more development being done and it's just amazing.' With last year's role voicing a droid in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, his current role as Gobber in How To Train Your Dragon and Harry Potter to come, Frost says 'there's not a theme park alive that I couldn't just bowl on into free of charge'. Frost says he based his role of Gobber, voiced by Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson in the three hit animated films, on hardman British actor Ray Winstone – not that he knows it. 'I haven't told Ray that,' he says with a laugh. 'I'll let him see the film first and see if he likes it. If he likes it, I'll say, 'I based it on you, Ray'.' Playing the one-legged, one-armed trainer of dragon-fighters also involved a touch of method acting for Frost. He was just about to go in for surgery on his bad knee, but director Dean De Blois told him to hold off until shooting had wrapped so he could hobble around for real on his peg leg. 'The arm was great,' Frost adds. 'Every day they they'd knock on the trailer and there'd be an array of five different hands and they're like 'well, what do you fancy for the day?' There was a beer mug and a massive axe or a stone lump or a hammer and it was great getting to pick what I wanted each day.'
Tatler Asia
09-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
Filipino-Americans Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Marco Paguia win big at the 2025 Tony Awards
Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss and Marco Paguia take home Tony Awards for 'Sunset Blvd.', 'Maybe Happy Ending' and 'Buena Vista Social Club' It was a night of firsts and full circles at the 78th Annual Tony Awards in New York, as three Filipino-Americans—Nicole Scherzinger, Darren Criss, and Marco Paguia—claimed the stage and earned their first-ever Tony trophies, setting a historic milestone for the Filipino diaspora on Broadway. Scherzinger, 46, took home Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd. , Andrew Lloyd Webber's darkly glittering revival of the 1950 Hollywood-noir film. It's a part that demands both grandeur and vulnerability—something Scherzinger, a former pop idol turned West End mainstay, seemed to summon from somewhere deeply personal. 'Thank you,' she said at Radio City Music Hall. 'For making this little Hawaiian Ukrainian Filipino girl's dream come true.' She thanked her mother, who gave birth to her at 18, her entire ohana and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Between nervous glances at the ticking countdown clock, Scherzinger spoke of the weight and the exhaustion of eight Broadway shows a week, before closing with a message to anyone still waiting for their moment: don't give up . More from Tatler: A cultural wanderer's guide to Bandung, Indonesia—get to know the 'Paris of Java'
