Latest news with #DameCommander
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Dame Anna Wintour told King Charles she's not stopping anytime soon
Buckingham Palace, a crisp February morning, sunlight bouncing off those iconic dark sunglasses, and Anna Wintour—Vogue's indomitable editor-in-chief then—standing before King Charles. He pins the prestigious Companion of Honour medal to her lapel. He asks the question everyone's wondering: 'So…are you going to retire?' Stepping into Buckingham Palace on February 4, Dame Anna ditched her usual dark shades for the formal ceremony. Dressed in a sleek Alexander McQueen suit and wearing a royal-worthy amethyst necklace once owned by Queen Mary, she was clearly in full-on icon mode. But makeup or no, when asked if this honour meant she'd slow down, Anna gave a clear-cut 'No.' She told BBC News, 'It makes me even more convinced that I have so much more to achieve. ' This Companion of Honour award isn't her first rodeo. Queen Elizabeth II made her a Dame Commander back in 2017. And President Biden presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Wintour went from North London Collegiate School to fashion courses at Harrods, then straight into the magazine world. Formal degrees? Who needs them when your vision is that powerful. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Anna's packed-right-backpack approach to work is more than ego—it's legacy. She's pushed Vogue toward being culturally and socially powerful, put celebs front and center on glossy covers, and used her platform to uplift diversity—even facing criticism and evolving. Anna Wintour exits Vogue After nearly four decades at the top, Anna Wintour is officially stepping down as the Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue. Yes, the woman who basically defined what fashion looked like since the late '80s is finally passing on the title. But if you're expecting her to vanish into retirement with a glass of rosé and a pile of Met Gala memories—think again. Wintour, now 75, isn't quitting. She's simply reshuffling her throne. She'll still serve as Global Editorial Director of Vogue and Chief Content Officer at Condé Nast, which basically means she's still calling the shots across the entire Vogue universe—just without the U.S. Editor-in-Chief label on her nameplate. There's no replacement announced yet, but insiders say the new role will be called 'Head of Editorial Content', not Editor-in-Chief, and will report directly to Wintour. So… she's still very much the boss. Why step down now? Maybe it's part of a bigger plan to modernize Vogue's structure and let fresh voices lead the U.S. edition, while Wintour steers the global brand. Or maybe it's just Anna doing what she does best: staying one step ahead of everyone else. So, no, this isn't a dramatic exit. It's more of a quiet power shift. After 37 years of shaping culture, fashion, and even politics through glossy covers and iconic moments, Anna Wintour is still here—just playing the long game.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
A gong for our times, meet Dame WFH (but will she leave home to get it?) Controversial mandarin and border chief who oversaw 129,000 small-boat arrivals among list to scoop top honours
A Mandarin who became notorious for her love of working from home has been made a dame. Sarah Healey infamously boasted that Covid-era lockdowns meant she could see more of her children as well as giving her longer to ride her expensive exercise bike. 'I have a Peloton and I can just get on my bike whenever I have a teeny bit of time. That has been a huge benefit to my well-being – the lack of travelling time eating into my day,' the then permanent secretary for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told a conference in 2021. Her comments prompted Tory ministers to tell civil servants they 'need to get off their Pelotons and get back to their desks', as she became synonymous with the working from home culture that took hold in the public sector during the pandemic years. But Ms Healey's career was unaffected as she became Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2023, where she is now paid over £180,000 a year. And in today's King's Birthday Honours list she becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath. Another controversial Whitehall recipient of a gong is a borders chief on whose watch the Channel migrant crisis has exploded. Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force, is made Companion of the Order of the Bath 'for services to Border Security and Public Service'. But since his appointment in November 2021, at least 129,000 immigrants have arrived in Britain illegally via dinghies. Last night a Reform UK source told the Mail: 'Once again we are seeing the Government reward utter failure. 'Productivity has taken a hammering thanks to these mandarins allowing a lazy work from home culture. A Reform government is going to trim the fat and get the civil service working again.' And a Tory source said: 'Keir Starmer doesn't run a meritocracy – he runs a mediocrity. 'Dishing out gongs for incompetence and shirking from home sends the signal loud and clear that mediocre middle managers are in charge now.' Former minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who led the drive to get civil servants back to their desks, told the Mail: 'It is much more honest to say these awards are automatic and not pretend it's discretionary, when they get given to people who don't turn up to work. 'They are part of the patronage system used by ministers to oil the wheels of government.' Political figures named in the honours list include former Tory minister Penny Mordaunt, famed for her role carrying a sword at the King's Coronation, who is made a dame. She said: 'It is lovely to be appreciated in this way, and I'm very conscious that everything I have ever got done has been with the help and efforts of others.' Serving Labour MP Chi Onwurah also becomes a dame, while party whip Mark Tami receives a knighthood. And Peter Hyman, a former adviser to both Sir Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer, is awarded a CBE.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Olympic legend Dame Laura Kenny gives birth to a baby daughter after years of fertility heartbreak
AN Olympic legend has welcomed a baby daughter after years of struggling with her fertility. Congratulations are in order because Dame Laura Kenny, who won five Olympic gold medals before her retirement, has given birth to a baby girl. 5 Laura revealed the news on Monday 5 Jason and Laura are both Olympians Credit: Reuters 5 They are both gold medal winners Credit: PA 5 In 2022 they received their Knight Bachelor and Dame Commander medals respectively Credit: PA Laura and her fellow Olympian husband The 33-year-old sporting icon took to Instagram on Monday to share the exciting news of her family's new addition. She posted a sweet snap of the newborn baby girl with her older brothers Albie and Monty. "Three's the magic number. Lilian Joyce Kenny Born on 4/5/25 at 10.44am. Weighing 8.0lbs," she revealed in the caption. Read More about Babies She added: "Can't stop calling her, him. There was only ever one name we had in mind for a daughter. A mix of both our Nan's names." Laura concluded the caption by writing: "Our beautiful little family is complete." Fans flocked to the comments section in an instant to congratulate the happy couple and their "complete" family. 'OUR FAMILY IS COMPLETE' One person wrote: "Congratulations to you all, what a gorgeous family you are and I'm so happy to hear of her safe arrival! Sending you loads and loads of love." Most read in Showbiz Another said: "Congratulations such a lovely family . Those 3 little ones really cannot grasp yet ..what legends their mummy and daddy are." "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," swooned a third. Olympic legend Laura Kenny fights back tears live on Channel 4's Crufts as she reveals heartbreaking death "Huge congratulations to you and your family! What a beautiful name. I hope you're all doing well," said a fourth. Laura married fellow cycling icon Jason Kenny before they welcomed their first baby, Albie, in 2017. After securing another gold medal in 2021, she then miscarried that November. And just five months later she had an ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy Myths explained There are a lot of strange myths around pregnancy - and some of them may surprise you... Is it okay to eat Can you have Can you get a tattoo while you're pregnant Is it safe to take Can you eat In 2023, she then welcomed another son, Monty. Speaking on Radio 4 about her fertility struggles previously, she said: "Everything was a shock - I went from being so in control of my body to being so out of control." She also said: "Was my body just running on empty, and then it said, 'Well, hang on, there's no way we can do this?'." She spoke about how elite sport might have a damaging impact on the fertility of female athletes. LAURA'S RETIREMENT In 2024, Laura retired from cycling as a sports person. She told BBC Breakfast last summer: "I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time. "I have had an absolute blast but now is the time to hang up the bike. "It's been in my head for a little while, the sacrifices of leaving the children and your family at home is really quite big and it is a really big decision to make." She went on: "More and more, I was struggling to do that. "More people asked me what races I was doing, what training camps I was going on. "I didn't want to go ultimately and that's what it came down to." During her career, Laura won five Olympic golds, seven world golds, 14 European golds, two Commonwealth titles, and six golds at the European Under 23 Championships. 5 Laura Kenny has opened up about her fertility woes before Credit: Channel 4
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Olympic legend Dame Laura Kenny gives birth to a baby daughter after years of fertility heartbreak
AN Olympic legend has welcomed a baby daughter after years of struggling with her fertility. Congratulations are in order because Dame Laura Kenny, who won five Olympic gold medals before her retirement, has given birth to a baby girl. 5 Laura revealed the news on Monday 5 Jason and Laura are both Olympians Credit: Reuters 5 They are both gold medal winners Credit: PA 5 In 2022 they received their Knight Bachelor and Dame Commander medals respectively Credit: PA Laura and her fellow Olympian husband Jason Kenny endured years of fertility woes, but are now proud parents to three children. The 33-year-old sporting icon took to Instagram on Monday to share the exciting news of her family's new addition. She posted a sweet snap of the newborn baby girl with her older brothers Albie and Monty. "Three's the magic number. Lilian Joyce Kenny Born on 4/5/25 at 10.44am. Weighing 8.0lbs," she revealed in the caption. Read More about Babies BABY JOY! Lily Collins reveals she's become a mum as she welcomes baby into the world She added: "Can't stop calling her, him. There was only ever one name we had in mind for a daughter. A mix of both our Nan's names." Laura concluded the caption by writing: "Our beautiful little family is complete." Fans flocked to the comments section in an instant to congratulate the happy couple and their "complete" family. 'OUR FAMILY IS COMPLETE' One person wrote: "Congratulations to you all, what a gorgeous family you are and I'm so happy to hear of her safe arrival! Sending you loads and loads of love." Another said: "Congratulations such a lovely family . Those 3 little ones really cannot grasp yet ..what legends their mummy and daddy are." "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl," swooned a third. Olympic legend Laura Kenny fights back tears live on Channel 4's Crufts as she reveals heartbreaking death "Huge congratulations to you and your family! What a beautiful name. I hope you're all doing well," said a fourth. Laura married fellow cycling icon Jason Kenny before they welcomed their first baby, Albie, in 2017. After securing another gold medal in 2021, she then miscarried that November. And just five months later she had an ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy Myths explained There are a lot of strange myths around pregnancy - and some of them may surprise you... Is it okay to eat prawns when you're pregnant? Can you have sex during a pregnancy? Can you get a tattoo while you're pregnant Is it safe to take paracetamol when you're pregnant? Can you eat mozzarella when you're pregnant? In 2023, she then welcomed another son, Monty. Speaking on Radio 4 about her fertility struggles previously, she said: "Everything was a shock - I went from being so in control of my body to being so out of control." She also said: "Was my body just running on empty, and then it said, 'Well, hang on, there's no way we can do this?'." She spoke about how elite sport might have a damaging impact on the fertility of female athletes. LAURA'S RETIREMENT In 2024, Laura retired from cycling as a sports person. She told BBC Breakfast last summer: "I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time. "I have had an absolute blast but now is the time to hang up the bike. "It's been in my head for a little while, the sacrifices of leaving the children and your family at home is really quite big and it is a really big decision to make." She went on: "More and more, I was struggling to do that. "More people asked me what races I was doing, what training camps I was going on. "I didn't want to go ultimately and that's what it came down to." During her career, Laura won five Olympic golds, seven world golds, 14 European golds, two Commonwealth titles, and six golds at the European Under 23 Championships.
