OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have been damaged by Channel 4’s documentary about Princess Diana, according to a royal biographer.
Sally Bedell Smith, who published ‘Prince Charles: The Passions And Paradoxes Of An Improbable Life’ earlier this year, has claimed that the controversial programme, entitled ‘Diana: In Her Own Words’, has brought their relationship back into the spotlight.
Of the show, which saw Diana speak candidly about her sex life with Prince Charles, she explained: “It’s her voice that you are hearing again and in some cases for the first time.”
However, Sally remains unsure as to whether the programme will do long-term damage to the royal couple, who tied the knot in 2005.
She told the Daily Express newspaper: “It’s very difficult to tell. I think it will have caused some short-term damage, because it has stirred up memories of all that happened in the 1980s and 1990s all over again.”
On the other hand, Joe Little of Majesty Magazine has rubbished the documentary, describing it as “muck-raking”.
He said: “I think it made very uncomfortable viewing at times and also it struck me as slightly odd why she would have chosen to discuss such sensitive matters with her voice coach.”
Joe also responded to suggestions that the programme has undermined Charles’ hopes of making the Duchess the Queen in the future, saying he hopes that isn’t the case.
But he added “it certainly isn’t going to help their cause, because it puts them in a damaging light”.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Channel 4’s ‘Diana: In Her Own Words’ gave the British broadcaster its biggest documentary audience in more than three years.
The controversial show was the source of much intrigue prior to its airing and the conversation surrounding its content appears to have boosted its viewing figures, with as many as 3.5 million people tuning in to watch it.
Overnight ratings confirmed the popularity of the documentary – which featured private video recordings in which Princess Diana spoke about her life with Prince Charles – but it was still bettered by the series finale of the BBC One period drama ‘Poldark’, which attracted an average of 4.9 million viewers.
In the documentary, Princess Diana opened up about her “greatest love” – but didn’t reveal the identity of the unnamed man.
The Princess – who died in a car accident in Paris, France, in August 1997 – said: “When I was 24 or 25 I was deeply in love with someone who worked in this environment [security].
“But then he was chucked out and he was killed.”
Although the Princess didn’t name the man, it is thought she was talking about her former bodyguard Barry Mannakee, who died aged 39 in a motorbike crash in May 1987 while he was on his way home to Loughton, Essex, south east England.
She said: “Eventually he had to go and then three weeks after he left he was killed in a motorbike accident.
“He was the greatest love I’ve ever had, and that was a real killer.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Buckingham Palace has reportedly descended into a state of uncertainty amid a string of recent resignations.
Over the past few weeks, a number of senior royal aides – including the Queen’s right-hand man, Sir Christopher Geidt – have resigned and that has sent the residence into “a right royal shambles”, according to an insider.
The Daily Express newspaper reports that the recent resignations relate to efforts made by the Queen to shake up the establishment before Prince Charles replaces her as the British Monarch.
However, the latest movements have left the Palace in a state of disarray, a source has claimed.
Among the important figures set to leave their current roles is Prince Harry’s Private Secretary Edward Lane Fox, while speculation has also surrounded the long-term future of Prince William’s Private Secretary Miguel Head.
The supposed uncertainty comes shortly after Prince Harry claimed that no one in royal family wants to be King or Queen.
The 32-year-old royal said that despite the prestige of the position, none of his family actually wants the job.
He explained: “We are involved in modernising the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people.
“Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be King or Queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.”
In fact, Prince Harry insisted that he and his brother, Prince William, both lead fairly unremarkable lives.
He shared: “People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry is reportedly set to treat Meghan Markle to a £1,000-a-night houseboat safari.
The British royal – who has been dating the ‘Suits’ actress since mid-2016 – has whisked Meghan off to Botswana, where they are set to cruise the Okavango Delta in the hope of seeing hippos and crocodiles.
A source shared: “There are 6,000 square miles of water to explore.
“Sometimes you can go for days without seeing another boat or another tourist. The boat will have a private cabin, or a bed can be made up on the deck if they decided to sleep out under the stars, which he has done before.
“They have gone in the middle of the best season to see game.”
The high-profile couple – who have flown to Africa to mark Meghan’s 36th birthday – are poised to spend three days on the houseboat during their three-week trip.
And Harry is eager for his girlfriend to develop the same passion he already has for the continent of Africa, where he has spent so much time in the past.
The insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “Harry wants to show her where his heart really is – and it is Africa.”
Previously, the flame-haired Prince has been on holidays to Botswana with Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, his ex-girlfriends.
Meanwhile, Kathryn Drysdale – who plays Meghan Markle in the comedy ‘The Windsors’ – recently said she thinks Prince Harry will soon propose to the actress.
She shared: “I hear Prince Harry’s going to propose – how exciting for her if that happens! I think Meghan has got her sights set on becoming a humanitarian and possibly a royal.
“She’s been thrust into the limelight, but I think she’s very well equipped. She may be sweet and charming but she’s probably got nerves of steel. I think she can handle it. That’s the impression I get.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Charles judged a tug-of-war contest in Scotland this weekend.
The Prince of Wales, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay when he is in Scotland, visited the Mey Highland Games, where he umpired the macho event while clutching hold of a cane.
Charles presented the trophy to the winning team and watched the egg and spoon, and three-legged races.
The 68-year-old royal looked dapper dressed in a traditional kilt, and is said to have driven to the Games himself.
The event took place at the John O’Groats showground but is usually next to Castle May, where the Queen Mother resided during her trips to the country.
She purchased the castle, based in Caithness, in 1952 and became a patron of the Games, which she attended every year until her death in 2002.
Charles appeared to enjoy himself at the spectacle, and his mother Queen Elizabeth also attended a similar Scottish event.
The 91-year-old monarch was a surprise visitor to the Aboyne Highland Games in Aberdeenshire on the 150th anniversary of the event.
She watched on as locals Jamie Dawkins and John Fyvie took part in the traditional caber toss, in which competitors are tasked with throwing a huge tree trunk.
What’s more, she also met its maker Murray Brown.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Princess Diana asked a priest if she could marry Dodi Fayed in a church.
The Princess of Wales approached Father Frank Gelli shortly before the tragic car crash in 1997 which killed them both, and he believes she may have been seeking Christian approval to marry the 42-year-old Muslim man.
She wanted to know if it was possible for two people of different religions to marry. I told her it was.
“As we spoke her telephone rang. It was obviously Dodi. Her eyes lit up. As she was leaving she asked me if I would be able to perform the service when she got married. Her love was obvious.”
Frank, who was a curate of St Mary Abbots church in Kensington, West London – close to where Diana previously lived at Kensington Palace – is convinced the pair would have tied the knot if they had not died in Paris 20 years ago.
He said: “I feel sure that if Diana and Dodi had not been killed, they would have married.”
The priest also revealed Diana had started attending the church and used to inconspicuously pop in and sit at the back.
He told the Sunday Express newspaper: “Princess Diana was a wonderful, caring philanthropist.
“She would come sometimes into the church and sit at the back and pray.”
It is also thought Dodi’s father, businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed, was confident the couple would get married.
A source recently said: “Mohamed believes they were in love and were going to announce their engagement in London the day after the tragedy.
“He will never get over the death of his son, or that of the Princess – because of the love he had for both.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry attended a “top secret” Google summer camp alongside Sir Elton John.
The flame-haired prince went to the annual event, run by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, at the £1,500-a-night Verdura Resort on the Italian island of Sicily, where business magnates meet to discuss the internet and human rights as well as other topics.
According to the Daily Mail newspaper, Harry rubbed shoulders with the likes of the ‘Rocket Man’ hitmaker, Emma Watson and Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal at the three-day conference.
The final evening of the bash features a concert at the Valley of the Temples ruins and a sit-down dinner, and Elton and Lenny Kravitz performed at this year’s gig.
The conference is held in secrecy and guests access the itinerary through a password protected website.
Kensington Palace didn’t comment on Harry’s attendance at the event and told the publication they would not discuss his “private travel plans”.
While it is not known why Harry was at the three-day summer camp, he is known to have taken an interest in the internet before when talking about mental health, but previously admitted he is not a fan of selfies.
When asked for a photo by a fan in Canberra, Australia, he is said to have responded: “No, I hate selfies.”
He then urged a crowd of youngsters to take “normal” photos.
Harry said: “Seriously! You need to get out of it. I know you’re young but selfies are bad.
“Just take a normal photograph.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Princess Anne has visited the Isle of Wight Carriage Driving for the Disabled group.
The 66-year-old royal – who serves as the President of Riding for the Disabled Association – watched a number of driving displays and met a number of drivers and volunteers at the specially-organised event.
What’s more, she also presented them with rosettes to mark their achievements with the group.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account explained: “.@RDAnational is a charity that provides opportunities for disabled adults & children to ride, carriage drive, vault and showjump. (sic)”
During her trip, the British royal also visited the planning offices of Lendy Cowes Week, the world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta of its kind.
Princess Anne even started the racing on day four of the regatta.
The Royal Twitter page said: “.@cowes_week is the world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta that brings together over 8,500 competitors and 100,000 spectators. (sic)”
Last month, Princess Anne celebrated the 100th anniversary of the RAF’s 101 Squadron.
The royal visited RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, to commend the work of the group known as the “most famous unknown squadron” in the UK’s Royal Air force.
She said: “It’s extraordinary to be able to celebrate this centenary on the same day this squadron was formed in July 1917 – another squadron older than the RAF to celebrate its formation.
“It is appropriate on this day we shall remember what the squadron’s history contains – or some of what it contains, otherwise we could be here for some time.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Mohamed Fayed reportedly believes his son Dodi and Princess Diana were set to announce their engagement shortly before they died in a car crash.
The 88-year-old businessman lost his son in the car accident in Paris, France, in August 1997, and reportedly felt the incident stopped the duo from tying the knot.
A source said: “Mohamed believes they were in love and were going to announce their engagement in London the day after the tragedy.
“He will never get over the death of his son, or that of the Princess – because of the love he had for both.”
Mohamed still spends a significant amount of time sat beside his son’s body in the grounds of his mansion, Barrow Green Court, near Oxted, South-East England.
Another insider told The Sun newspaper: “He often spends hours on end sitting with Dodi. After 20 years he still misses him terribly.
“And when he is in London he will take time out to visit Dodi’s apartment. Not one thing inside has changed since Dodi died. He will not allow anyone to move anything.
“The apartment is cleaned but it is still exactly the same as when Dodi and Diana used to spend time there.
“They used to sit on the floor having takeaway meals. She and Dodi were mad on films.
“He had a wall filled with VHS tapes. Any moment they had together, they went there. They’d watch TV and hang out like teenagers.”
What’s more, the insider said the relationship represented the chance for Princess Diana to relive her youth, following her divorce from Prince Charles.
The source explained: “In a way, the Princess was having her youth again because she had been in the Royal Family for 15 years.
“This was her first affair as a free woman. She didn’t hide the relationship or sneak away. She’d been divorced since the year before.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Philip’s final public engagement was hailed as “historic” by a Royal Marine.
The 96-year-old royal’s last official event featured men from the Royal Marines and has been talked up by Cpl Thompson, who ran 1,664 miles over 100 days in aid of the Royal Marines Charity.
He said: “This is historic because this is the Duke’s last royal engagement and we’re a part of it, the Royal Marines are a part of it – so it’s an absolute honour.”
Elsewhere, Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green, who devised the 1664 Global Challenge, was delighted to play a part in the Prince’s last official engagement earlier this week.
He explained: “It’s an honour for the Armed Forces having the Duke of Edinburgh’s last public engagement with the Corps and the Royal Navy – it’s brilliant, we’re delighted.”
And Lieutenant Colonel Green said Prince Philip still serves as an inspiration to people in the Armed Forces.
He shared: “The Duke of Edinburgh is all about challenges, he’s all about charity work and helping people and having somebody like the Duke as head of the Royal Marines, it just helps the Corps with our own challenges.
“With somebody who’s head of the Corps, who’s quite exceptional in what he does, it makes the Corps exceptional, it builds our Commando spirit and he’s a wonderful figurehead for all Royal Marines to look up to.”
Although Prince Philip’s royal duties have now officially ended, Buckingham Palace recently confirmed that he may still attend the occasional event alongside the Queen.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Duchess Catherine has been urged not to have any more children for the sake of the environment.
The 35-year-old royal already has Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two, with her husband Prince William, but has been implored by Having Kids to refrain from having more children.
The American organisation, which is based in San Francisco, has called on the royal couple to serve as role models for the public, saying that “large families are not sustainable”.
In a letter, Having Kids explained: “Family planning has the most potential for mitigating climate change and its impacts.”
The group subsequently warned of the “impacts” of over-sized families, saying: “More severe flooding – both from heavier rains and coastal flooding; deadlier heatwaves; increases in diseases such as malaria; and wildlife extinctions.”
Meanwhile, it was reported last month that the royal couple have banned their children from using iPads.
Duchess Catherine and Prince William don’t want Prince George and Princess Charlotte to become reliant on technology for entertainment and want to encourage them to use their imaginations.
A source said: “They’re very much seen as Mummy and Daddy’s toys, not for children.
“As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment themselves, William and Kate are firm believers in toys, outdoor play, and encouraging an active imagination. They’re very much a normal family.”
In fact, Duchess Catherine recently spoke of her joy at seeing her children fall in love with nature.
The royal made reference to her kids in a speech she gave to mark the reopening of Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum in London.
During her speech, the Duchess explained: “Like many of you here tonight, I remember visiting the Natural History Museum as a child, and being inspired with a love of nature.
“And now, as a parent myself, I am experiencing the joy all over again with my own children, who adore coming here, and it is not just to see the T-Rex mind you.
“Who could fail to be inspired standing here in this wonderful hall.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Meghan Markle is celebrating her 36th birthday today (04.08.17).
The ‘Suits’ actress has become one of the most photographed women in the world ever since her relationship with Prince Harry first became public and she is today celebrating her big day.
Meghan and Prince Harry have been dating since mid-2016, and their burgeoning romance remains a constant source of interest for the public.
And actress Kathryn Drysdale recently admitted she thinks Prince Harry will propose to Meghan “soon”.
The ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ star portrays the brunette beauty in the comedy soap opera ‘The Windsors’ and has admitted she doesn’t think it will be long before the flame-haired royal pops the question to his partner.
She said: “I hear Prince Harry’s going to propose – how exciting for her if that happens! I think Meghan has got her sights set on becoming a humanitarian and possibly a royal.
“She’s been thrust into the limelight, but I think she’s very well equipped. She may be sweet and charming but she’s probably got nerves of steel. I think she can handle it. That’s the impression I get.”
However, Kathryn thinks Meghan knew what she was getting herself into before her relationship with the British royal took off last year.
She explained: “You don’t get into something with a member of the Royal Family lightly. And especially someone who’s mixed race.
“Being not only a commoner but an American also being part African-American is a deal. You don’t get into something like that without planning ahead.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Duchess Catherine’s childhood friend has died at the age of just 33.
Isobel Kennerley tragically passed away in May at the Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading, England, following a battle with an inoperable brain tumour, and was laid to rest a short while later at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Walsh Common.
Isobel – who had cerebral palsy – became friends with the 35-year-old royal in 1990 through the young girl organisation the Brownies and the pair of them went on a trip with Catherine’s sister Pippa Middleton over the Easter period in 1991.
Isobel later said of the trip: “I really enjoyed it. Everyone was really kind to me because I have a disability. I remember going to brownie camp at Macaroni Wood and coming back to find an owl at the end of my bed. I don’t remember what I did to deserve it, but I remember feeling really pleased.”
However, the childhood friends went their separate ways when they reached secondary school age as Catherine boarded at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, while Isobel attended St Gabriel’s in Newbury, according to HELLO! magazine.
It’s not known whether Catherine – who is now married to Prince William and has two children George, four, and Charlotte, two, with him – attended Isobel’s funeral.
During the ceremony, her family – including husband Scott and parents Christine and Simon – said Isobel had fought the disease with “amazing courage and dignity.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Charles and his wife Duchess Camilla are currently holidaying in Greece.
The royal couple have spent the past few days visiting tea rooms and stopping by breweries as part of their annual tour of the UK, but they’d seemingly had enough of the wet weather battering British soil on Tuesday (02.08.17) as they were spotted on board super-yacht OKTO, which was owned by the Greek millionaire Theodore Angelopoulos, in the European country, according to the Express newspaper.
But while Charles was soaking up some sun with his wife, his father Prince Philip was carrying out his last ever official engagement on behalf of the royal family.
The 96-year-old royal – who announced his upcoming retirement earlier this year – hosted a parade at Buckingham Palace in honour of the finale of the Royal Marines 1664 Global Challenge as his last official solo duty for the crown.
It was a fitting ceremony to mark his retirement as the Duke of Edinburgh is the Captain General of the Royal Marines and a former Royal Navy officer.
The event’s name recognises the year the Royal Marines were founded, and the ceremony marked the end of the 1664 Global Challenge, which sees marines push themselves to the limit with a series of physical exploits in aid of the Royal Marines Charity.
Queen Elizabeth’s beloved husband appeared chirpy as he inspected the troops, before he stepped onto a podium and waved his bowler hat to the cheering crowds.
The MailOnline reports that he also chatted to physical training instructor, Sergeant Matt Burley, who swam 1,664 lengths underwater over 10 days and Lieutenant Colonel Aldeiy Alderson, who ran 100 kilometres in 12 hours wearing his Royal Marines uniform and polished boots.
And he made the marines laugh when he quipped: “You all should be locked up.”
Prince Philip has carried out 22,219 solo engagements since 1952, and Prime Minister Theresa May took to Twitter to thank him for “a remarkable lifetime of service”.
She added that she hoped he “can now enjoy a well-earned retirement”.
Though he will no longer be summoned to attend solo royal engagements, the royal may accompany the Queen at certain events in the future.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Kathryn Drysdale thinks Prince Harry will propose to Meghan Markle “soon.”
The ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ actress portrays the brunette beauty in the comedy soap opera ‘The Windsors’ and has admitted she doesn’t think it will be long before the flame-haired royal pops the question to his beautiful partner.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, she said: “I hear Prince Harry’s going to propose – how exciting for her if that happens! I think Meghan has got her sights set on becoming a humanitarian and possibly a royal. She’s been thrust into the limelight, but I think she’s very well equipped. She may be sweet and charming but she’s probably got nerves of steel. I think she can handle it. That’s the impression I get.”
But Kathryn thinks Meghan knew what she was getting herself into before her relationship with the 32-year-old royal took off last year.
She explained: “You don’t get into something with a member of the Royal Family lightly. And especially someone who’s mixed race.
“Being not only a commoner but an American also being part African-American is a deal. You don’t get into something like that without planning ahead.”
And she’s pleased that they had a few months together before people found out.
She said: “And they had a good couple of undercover months for her transitionary period from TV actress to possible future royal. It must have been thrilling when it was all secret but now it’s out, it’s a lot more serious. But it’s a lifelong commitment, you know. I think the royals learnt from Princess Diana’s struggles that these ladies need protecting and nurturing. But the younger generation of royals are much more grounded and down to earth. And I think they know that they don’t dare make a mistake and marry someone who they don’t want to spend the rest of their life with.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been urged not have anymore children.
The royal couple are reportedly thinking about giving their son George, four, and daughter Charlotte, two, a little sibling in the near future, but the news hasn’t sat well with the family planning organisation Having Kids as they’ve written to the pair “respectfully urging” them to “consider forgoing having a third child.”
The letter, according to the Daily Star newspaper, added: “As degraded as the world’s environment is today, none of us can imagine what the world would be like if fertility rates had not been halved in the 20th Century, below three children per woman. The future of your country will be defined by the impacts of climate change.”
The San Francisco-based organisation went on to encourage the couple – who got married in 2011 – to set a good example by modelling “a sustainable small family.”
The letter explained: “Of course, we know that Prince George and Princess Charlotte are certain to have wonderful lives, protected from the deprivations of poverty and the threat of environmental degradation.
“They will receive optimal amounts of care and attention, as well as the best possible education. But the same can’t be said of every future child.”
The open letter, which was signed by executive director Anne Green and president Carter Dillard, was sent to the royal family a few days after she made a throwaway comment about having more babies during a recent engagement in Poland.

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