Meet the real Downton hounds: the Countess of Carnarvon's dogs behaving badly
We have six labradors and two working cocker spaniels. It all started with Percy, a yellow labrador I bought from a friend when my son, Eddie, was two years old. He was a lovely dog for Eddie to grow up with and we nicknamed him the Yellow Lion because he had this wonderful old-fashioned big head.
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The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Cruel' Meghan launching her rosé on Diana's birthday is scheme to hijack Harry's mum's legacy, expert slams
A ROYAL expert has slammed Meghan Markle's decision to launch her rose wine on Princess Diana's birthday as a "cruel" way to hijack Prince Harry's mum's legacy. The 2023 Napa Valley Rosé went on sale on Tuesday at around 4pm UK time via a new wine section on Meg's As Ever website. 8 8 8 Meghan's new Rosé will set back punters $30 a bottle and she now plans to bring out a sparkling wine. But now, a royal expert has slammed the timing of the wine's release, which is said to "capture the essence of sun-drenched outdoor moments". Royal reporter and podcaster Kinsey Schofield claims that the release of the beverage on the late Princess Diana 's birthday has "struck a nerve" with those in the royal household. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Schofield claimed: "As Ever appears to be the latest attempt to stake a claim in the oversaturated lifestyle market. "Still, this launch has struck a very specific nerve, not just because of what the product is, but because when it was released, July 1, Princess Diana 's birthday. "A source close to the royal household told me, it's not lost on Prince William that Meghan has launched an alcohol brand on his mother's birthday, the very mum he lost in a drink driving tragedy. "When I asked if there was anger at Meghan for using Diana's birthday to promote her commercial products, my source replied: 'It's what he's come to expect from her'. "He doesn't think much of her." The beverage, priced at more than £65 for a minimum three-bottle order, had only appeared to be available for US customers to buy, with shipping addresses limited to America. A half case costs $159 (£115) and a full case will set you back a whopping $300 (£218). Why has Thomas Markle NEVER met Harry? There can only be 3 reasons - and 3rd is bad news for Meg The wine went on sale at 4pm UK time, but the site was updated less than hour later to signal stocks were sold out. But Schofield claims that "timing an alcohol launch to Diana's birthday wasn't just a misstep, it was borderline cruel". The royal podcaster said: "You have to sit at home, you have to sit and think, what is Prince Harry thinking at home today? "As Meghan is doing victory laps around the kitchen, excited for this launch, Harry is still thinking about the mother he lost, the mother that he loved, the mother that he talks to us about constantly. "This is still a tough day for Prince Harry too. Let's be honest, Meghan has spent years framing herself as the spiritual successor to Diana." Schofield added: "I was once told by a royal family source that Beatrice, I believe this was at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, overheard Meghan tell Prince Harry that Diana spoke to her during her yoga session that morning. "I feel like Meghan has hijacked or attempted to hijack this woman's legacy, to the point where Meghan is so important that Diana is speaking to her from the other side of the yoga mat. 8 8 8 "So to claim ignorance here doesn't hold up. It wasn't just insensitive. "It felt like a betrayal of the very narrative she's working so hard to craft." Schofield said: "I think Diana's death remains one of the most heartbreaking and symbolic moments in modern royal history. "Linking that memory, whether intentionally or accidentally, to a commercial product, especially one tied to alcohol, feels like a profound misjudgement. "There are 363 other days to launch a wine or an alcohol brand. Choosing this one, even if unintentional, speaks volumes." 'TONE DEAF' Schofield also claimed that her source in the royal household said that William and Catherine have been "quite good at ignoring the Sussexes". However, it is claimed that anything to do with Wills mother is still a "tender spot", according to the source. Schofield added: "To launch an alcohol brand on Diana's birthday, it felt pointed, or at the very least, shockingly tone deaf. "Privately, there is hope within the family that Harry and Meghan will eventually thrive in the business world, not out of affection, but out of strategy. "The thinking goes, if they're secure and financially stable, maybe the public criticism towards the palace and media outbursts will subside." The new wine is being flogged on new website - where more booze will be added. The Rosé is described by As Ever as "a pale blush wine offers a roundness and depth of flavor that is complemented by gentle minerality and soft notes of stone fruit with a lasting finish". They claim the tipple is an "As ever blend" which includes "Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Syrah varietals". While the taste is described as "sophisticated, dry, and refreshing, it is designed for summer 's best moments – from lunches that turn into dinners and sun-drenched weekends where the only thing louder than the music is the laughter". It comes as Meghan is also set to reveal a sparkling wine among new wine varieties. 8 8
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Iconic nineties girl group 'turn down appearance in Louis Theroux's new BBC documentary about girlbands' ahead of their 30th anniversary
The Spice Girls have reportedly turned down a personal request from Louis Theroux to appear in his new BBC documentary about girlbands. It puts Theroux in a tricky spot, as the band are widely seen as the ultimate girl group and were expected to feature in the film, according to The Sun. In contrast, last year Robbie Williams and his production company, Mindhouse, featured in Louis boyband documentary - titled Boybands Forever - candidly sharing stories about his turbulent time in the spotlight. A TV insider told the publication: 'The difference is that the Spice Girls are fast approaching 30 years since the release of their debut single Wannabe and have a string of projects in the pipeline. 'Many of the issues that Robbie brought up on Boybands Forever were wholly justifiable and most viewers sympathised with his situation when he was in Take That. 'But none of the Spice Girls want to do the same, and they feel it wouldn't be fair on their loyal fans to spoil the magic of Girl Power so close to their anniversary year.' This puts Theroux in a tricky spot, as the band are widely seen as the ultimate girl group and were expected to feature in the film, according to The Sun The source concluded that the band wants 2026 to be a moment to celebrate the group's achievements. The documentary, titled Girlbands Forever, is set to feature singers from other iconic groups such as All Saints, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Eternal, and Atomic Kitten. MailOnline has contacted Spice Girls' former manager Simon Fuller and Louis' representative for comment. It comes after it was reported that the girl group are reportedly set to reunite to mark their 30th anniversary as they have been secretly planning an upcoming world tour. Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel B and Mel C were said to be in April in Miami to discuss the finer details. The Sun reported that Victoria Beckham, 51, however is '90 per cent out of the running', with the foursome pushing ahead with plans without her for now. Geri and band manager and guru Simon Fuller are reportedly in touch again which has moved things along after years of hints from various members that they would get back together. A source told the publication: 'There have been rumours swirling for months, but Geri has always been too busy and had other things on, preventing her from saying yes. 'Nothing is yet confirmed but Geri and Simon are back in touch with a myriad of exciting ideas. 'Unfortunately Victoria has pretty much ruled herself out, but there is still a world in which she could do some sort of avatar appearance or a special one-off thing. She would always want to honour the girls' history.' 'If Simon were to get involved, this would absolutely take any tour to the next level.' In April, Geri dropped the biggest hint yet that the Spice Girls are set to reunite. The singer 52, formed the band in 1994 with Mel B, Mel C, Emma and Victoria. Since they officially broke up they there have been various rumours that they would reunite - with Mel B recently sharing her enthusiasm again for another tour. And now Geri has said in an interview that there is hope for this - despite reports over the years that she doesn't get on with Mel B. She told The Times: 'My hope is we come back together as a collective. It's more respectful to come as one. 'There will be something. We'll come as one. We love each other. I love them, I care about them, we want the best for each other. 'We shared something so monumental. We've always believed in each other, had trust in each other, which is beautiful.' She also confirmed that the five of them do have a group chat but wouldn't reveal the name of it. The girl group last toured together in 2020 as a foursome, with only Victoria missing out. While the last time Emma, Mel B, Mel C, Victoria and Geri all performed as a five was during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Rebel Fred Perry became UK exile and served in US Air Force in WWII after he was ostracised by Wimbledon snobs
ANDY MURRAY will soon become only the second person to be honoured with a statue at the All England Club. And having ended a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at Wimbledon, few would argue against Murray deserving the bronze likeness which will be unveiled at the 2027 Championships. Yet even Murray's inspiring life and career - including three Major titles, two Olympic golds and a Davis Cup - pale in comparison with the only previous player to be handed this accolade, Fred Perry. As the first man to complete a career Grand Slam, a three-time Wimbledon champion, a winner of eight Majors and four Davis Cups, you'd imagine that Perry was feted and honoured by the tennis authorities and the British establishment while at the peak of his powers in the 1930s. Especially as he had been a world champion at table tennis, as well as the undisputed king of the lawns. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Not only was Perry a working-class man from Stockport and the son of a Labour MP, he was also a fashionista, a lothario, a heart-throb, a rebel and, ultimately, an exile. He dated Hollywood sirens, including Marlene Dietrich and Jean Harlow, he married four times and, after emigrating and taking American citizenship, Perry served in the US Air Force during World War Two. In an age of intense class-based snobbery and of strict amateurism in tennis, the elitist plum-suckers in the Wimbledon boardroom decided that Perry was a lad from the wrong side of the chalk lines. When he turned professional in 1937, Perry was stripped of his All England Club membership, went on lengthy world tours and settled in the States - where he felt far more accepted than in stuffy pre-war Britain. The first of Murray's two Wimbledon triumphs in 2013 ended a wait for a British men's singles champion which had stretched back to Perry's hat-trick of successes between 1934 and 1936. And while the Scot was something of an outsider and an anti-establishment figure - especially in his early days - he competed in far more enlightened times than Perry, who was the victim of overt discrimination from the authorities. Sue Barker returns to Wimbledon in new role a year after legendary BBC presenter's emotional Andy Murray interview As well as his working-class northern roots, Perry was also frowned upon because he was simply too competitive, occasionally even showing dissent towards umpires - which was unheard of in the 30s. He was extremely fast across the court and, unlike many of his competitors, was supremely fit - often training with the dominant Arsenal team of the 1930s to develop his sharpness. But after a comprehensive victory over Australian Jack Crawford to win his first Wimbledon title - celebrated with a Centre Court cartwheel and a leap over the net - Perry suffered one of his most memorable instances of All England Club snobbery. While soaking in a bath after coming off court, Perry claims he heard upper-crust committee member Brame Hillyard tell runner-up Crawford that "this was one day when the best man didn't win". Hillyard then draped Perry's Wimbledon tie - symbolising his membership of the All England Club - over a seat rather than presenting it to the champion in person. Perry later wrote in his autobiography: 'I don't think I've ever been so angry in my life. Instead of Fred J Perry the champ, I felt like Fred J Muggs the chimp. 'Some elements in the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association looked down on me as a hot-headed, outspoken tearaway rebel, not quite the class of chap they really wanted to see winning Wimbledon, even if he was English.' 11 11 11 11 And Perry certainly wasn't the only British sporting great of his era to become ostracised by snobbish attitudes. Harold Larwood, the great England fast bowler and hero of the Bodyline triumph over Don Bradman's Aussies in 1932-33, became a scapegoat for the diplomatic crisis sparked by the ruthless tactics of his upper-class captain Douglas Jardine. Larwood, a former Nottinghamshire coal miner, would never play for England again and ended up emigrating to, of all places, Australia. Perry, who inspired Great Britain to four consecutive Davis Cup triumphs, was far more popular with the public than his sport's top brass - and not least with women, who loved his fashion sense, including his on-court penchant for tailored white flannels and blazers. He would, of course, go on to make millions from his Fred Perry fashion range - with its laurel wreath logo - which is still thriving to this day. As for the ladies, Perry would marry four of them - including the Hollywood actress Helen Vinson and the model Sandra Breaux - before he settled down with Barbara Riese, the couple having two children and enjoying a 40-year marriage until Perry's death in 1995, aged 85. He was finally accepted back into the fold at Wimbledon during the last 25 years of his life, broadcasting for the BBC before his statue was unveiled in 1982 - to Perry's intense pride. 'I never thought I'd live to see the day when a statue was put up to the son of a Labour MP inside the manicured grounds of Wimbledon,' he wrote in his memoirs. 'There will be a few former members of the All England Club and the LTA revolving in their graves at the thought of such a tribute paid to the man they regarded as a rebel from the wrong side of the tennis tramlines.' Murray, who often felt his Scottishness was held against him during his early days at Wimbledon, never really knew the half of it. 11 11 11
