Monday was Garter Day in the UK, meaning the annual service for the Order of the Garter. Many of the senior royals are members of the Garter, plus some non-British royals, like King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Spain’s King Felipe. There are also just well-connected or extraordinary British people – like Andrew Lloyd Webber – who are Garter knights. Every year on Garter Day, the knights of the Garter gather in Windsor for a service at St George’s Chapel.

This year, Garter Day was attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all of them Garter knights or whatever. The Duchess of Edinburgh does not belong to the Order of the Garter, but she was still there to show her support for her husband. She spent most of her time with William though, because William went stag to the event. No Princess of Wales – she wasn’t scheduled to appear, so it’s not like her absence was a last-minute scandal or anything. She’s not a Garter lady-knight or anything, but like Sophie, she usually comes out to support her husband.

So what can we gather from the Garter Day photos? Sophie is really doing the most to cozy up to an angry egg. Edward and William really resemble each other these days. William is fine with hanging out with Edward & Sophie too, he rode in the carriage with them and he and Sophie spent more time together than Sophie and Ed. Camilla still looks like the cat who got the cream. Charles looked a bit perkier on Garter Day than at Trooping. William looked perkier too – it seems like Kate’s absence actually makes everything run smoother, huh? And I still kind of hate-respect how Camilla actually rocks the velvet cape and white plumage.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Almost one year ago exactly, Prince William brought the Duchess of Edinburgh as his “date” to a documentary screening. It was odd because it wasn’t like Princess Kate was busy, and it didn’t feel like Sophie and William had ever been particularly close. That outing caused some commentary about how Sophie and William have some kind of special bond. Well, the special bond was on display yet again on Monday, Garter Day. With the Princess of Wales skipping the service, William rode in a carriage with Prince Edward and Sophie, then Sophie was seen paying much more attention to William than her husband. The Daily Mail swears that Sophie is a “maternal” figure to Huevo.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh were snapped enjoying another intimate moment together yesterday – the latest in a series of interactions which demonstrate the ‘maternal’ pride ‘supportive’ Sophie has for the heir. Sophie, 59, is married to 41-year-old Prince William’s uncle Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, 60. And the mother-of-two seems to share close bonds with many members of the Royal Family.

As well as her famously close bond with the late Queen Elizabeth II, Sophie is also believed to be close to both Kate, the Princess of Wales, 42, and William. And this closeness was on display yesterday, during the ancient Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle.

As the royals left following the service, William and Sophie were photographed smiling and chatting with each other, appearing to enjoy each other’s company. This interchange followed a sweet moment the two royals shared two days earlier, during Trooping the Colour. After the family appeared on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast, Sophie was seen placing a comforting hand on William’s back as they made their way back into the palace.

Commenting on the moment in a post on X (formerly Twitter) royal commentator Victoria Arbiter described Sophie’s gesture as one of support and comfort.

She wrote: ‘Always on hand to offer her support, The Duchess of Edinburgh was pictured giving Prince William a comforting “you did it” as the royals returned inside following their balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace.’

[From The Daily Mail]

It’s more complicated than “Sophie approached William like a loving aunt/surrogate mother,” in my opinion. Back in the day, Sophie absolutely thought she would be the next Diana, and that she would “fill” the role as the Windsors’ next charismatic blonde. That did not work out for her. But I don’t think Sophie actually treats William like an aunt or whatever. She genuinely seems to be sucking up to “the heir.” Flattering him, playing to his ego. It’s definitely… something.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

All of the post-Trooping the Colour keenery has been interesting to watch, although I’m sure I missed some of it. My genuine happiness at seeing the Princess of Wales has shifted over to annoyance at the canonization commentary of “Saint Kate, who is better than the lesser mortals with cancer.” I’m also fascinated by Buckingham Palace’s very obvious shift away from Kate’s presence at Trooping and overemphasizing the importance of Charles being seen with his Wales grandchildren. All in all, a wealth of competing PR narratives and general weirdness. Well, Katie Nicholl at Vanity Fair has a new piece. It looks like the Middletons are finally taking her calls too.

The announcement that the Princess of Wales was to attend Trooping the Colour came late on Friday, and it all but guaranteed a record turnout. The palace had previously indicated that the princess, who had not been seen in public since Christmas Day, would not carry out any public engagements while undergoing cancer treatment. Kate, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, did not attend last week’s. However, after turning a corner on her health journey, Kate, who is undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy, decided that she wanted to attend.

“It was the Princess’s decision and hers alone,” a source close to the family told Vanity Fair. “Catherine discussed the idea with William and with the King after having the OK from her medical team. Thankfully she has been feeling much better recently and Trooping has been something of a goal for her to work towards.”

Immaculately dressed in a white Jenny Packham dress and Jimmy Choo heels, coordinating smartly with her children’s navy and white outfits, the Princess looked radiant and happy. Aware that the cameras would be trained on her, she smiled almost constantly, but there were occasional moments when she appeared pensive, and after standing for an hour to watch the ceremony at Horse Guards, she gratefully accepted a seat.

The King has been a pillar of support to the Princess following her cancer diagnosis and has confided to friends that their shared experience has brought them even closer. Their warm and easy banter certainly showed the closeness between them. Charles had told his medical team and aides that his appearance at Trooping was “non-negotiable” and he was delighted that his daughter-in-law was well enough to be by his side for the occasion.

[From Vanity Fair]

Variations of “The king was delighted that Kate was there” have been briefed far and wide, as if to block the narrative that Charles was mad that Kate’s presence pulled focus from him and she stole his parade thunder. I genuinely believe that Charles does feel like Kate stole his thunder (after all, he was reportedly furious last year when she turned up to the Chelsea Flower Show on the same day), but he also understands that Kate and the kids couldn’t stay hidden forever, and it was better to exhibit her in a controlled fashion, where he could get some personal mileage out of it (the “grandpa keenery”).

All of which to say, I seriously doubt that “It was the Princess’s decision and hers alone.” Whatever has been happening behind the scenes for the past six months, Kate’s Trooping appearance had the feel of something stage-managed and ordered by Charles and his courtiers. Remember, I’ve been saying that Buckingham Palace wrested control of KP’s communications in mid-March, after the frankenphotos and bizarre/staged “sightings.” BP has clearly been “in charge” of the Kate situation since March 18th or thereabouts.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

I remember, years ago, when it felt like every celebrity was drinking and driving. There was like a three-year rash of celebrity DUIs and DWIs. It was legitimately a “trend” and a horrible one at that. There was significant backlash to the trend at the time too and Mothers Against Drunk Driving came out repeatedly to educate young people. Then drunk-driving was replaced by texting-and-driving as an issue. But I digress. We haven’t had a big-name celebrity get caught drunk driving in a minute. That’s what happened in Sag Harbor, New York on Monday. Justin Timberlake was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Justin Timberlake was arrested on Long Island on Monday night and accused of driving while intoxicated, authorities said.

The pop superstar, who was still in custody in Sag Harbor on Tuesday morning, the Sag Harbor Village Police confirmed to NBC News.

He will face a DWI charge, a court official said.

[From NBC News]

My guess is that Justin has been drinking too much for years. His face tells the tale, iykyk. I remember when he was caught being completely sh-tfaced in New Orleans and cheating on his wife too – that happened in 2019. And you know it’s bad when someone is drinking to excess on a MONDAY. Anyway, shame on him. He’s in his 40s – he knows better and he’s extremely lucky he didn’t hurt himself or someone else. Lock him up!!

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

More fashion pics from the Tony Awards – Sarah Paulson looked amazing (minus the bows), and she picked up her first Tony, as did Jeremy Strong. [Just Jared]
Why was Kenya Moore suspended from RHOA? [Socialite Life]
I might have to resubscribe to ESPN+ to watch Serena Williams: In the Arena, her latest eight-part docuseries. [LaineyGossip]
Variety breaks down the best Disney fathers. [OMG Blog]
Andrew McCarthy, The Brat Pack and the wrong framing. [Pajiba]
Kerry Washington’s business skort is surprisingly great. [Go Fug Yourself]
Alicia Keys wore Gucci to the Tonys. [RCFA]
Gordon Ramsay was injured in a bike accident. [Seriously OMG]
How much plastic surgery has Lisa Rinna had? [Starcasm]
Miley Cyrus couldn’t drive for three days after one puff of her mom’s weed. [Hollywood Life]
Is John Mulaney married again? [Buzzfeed]

Thomas Kingston passed away in February of this year. His death was announced several days after the fact, and Buckingham Palace held the announcement until just after King Constantine’s Windsor memorial service. It was clear, in real time, that Kensington Palace was also briefing about Kingston’s death as a deflection from Prince William’s absence at Constantine’s memorial. Since then, Kingston’s widow Lady Gabriella Windsor has been avoiding public events. She moved out of the Notting Hill home she shared with her husband, and she apparently moved in with her parents in Kensington Palace. Reportedly, King Charles invited Gabriella to Trooping the Colour, and many of us wondered if Gabriella would turn up on the balcony. It felt like she was possibly “backup” – an attractive younger royal woman who could show up on the balcony in case the Princess of Wales couldn’t make it to Trooping. Well, Gabriella did go to Trooping, but she didn’t step foot on the balcony.

Lady Gabriella Windsor made her first public appearance since the tragic death of her husband, Thomas Kingston, at Trooping the Colour yesterday. The daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, 43, put on a brave face as she watched the RAF flypast from inside Buckingham Palace.

King Charles invited Ella, as she is known by friends, to attend his birthday parade, marking her first appearance since her war hero and financier husband, Thomas Kingston, was found dead aged 45 at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds.

‘Everyone hopes that Ella will attend the celebrations, if she feels up to it,’ a royal source told the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden in May, adding: ‘It would be a powerful signal of the Family’s love and concern for her.’

The source’s hope materialised yesterday as she stood watching the parade with family inside the palace, including her brother, Lord Frederik Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkleman, whom she stood next to. Her invitation to yesterday’s event is a touching sign of the Royal Family rallying around to help Lady Gabriella recover from the ordeal. Kingston died from a ‘traumatic head wound’, an inquest heard in March. A gun was found near his body in an outbuilding at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds.

Understandably, Lady Gabriella hung back from the balcony and watched the RAF flypast from inside Buckingham Palace. Lady Gabriella was photographed observing the performance behind Princess Anne, her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence and the Duke of Kent.

[From The Daily Mail]

Only the Mail covered the photos – you could only see Gabriella from certain angles in wide shots of the far-right side of the balcony. I’m fascinated by the fake “honor” of being on the balcony versus the minor royal figures who “get invited” to Trooping. In 2022, the Sussexes were “invited” to Trooping at the last minute, but they watched the parade from a different area with the other cousins. Not Gabriella and Lord Frederick Windsor – they were actually invited into Buckingham Palace for Trooping, but simply not allowed on the balcony.

Lady Gabriella Windsor joined the Royal Family at Trooping the Colour in her first public appearance since the tragic death of her husband Thomas Kingston https://t.co/sDfo0EkpRd pic.twitter.com/IvF57ejRg5

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 16, 2024

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

Joe Alwyn is only 33 years old but he has some old-ass eyes. Whenever I see a closely cropped photo of his face, I’m always surprised by how exhausted his eyes look. Anyway, Joe covers the most recent issue of the Sunday Times’s Style Magazine. He’s promoting Kinds of Kindness, his second time working with director Yorgos Lanthimos after his turn in The Favourite. Joe has always given interviews to promote his films, but he very rarely answers personal questions. That was true for the years he dated Taylor Swift, circa 2016-2023. But Kinds of Kindness is his first big promotion since he and Taylor split last year. This interview is the first time he’s really talked about any of it. I find myself admiring his reserve – if I had excited a relationship with the Queen Snake and she had devoted an album to the guy who came after me, I’m sure I would want to settle some scores. Joe is not into score-settling, although the fact that he’s even trying to address *some* of what’s happened is remarkable. Some highlights from the Times:

Whether he’s listened to The Tortured Poets Department: “In thinking on what I was going to say, I would think and hope that anyone and everyone can empathise … This isn’t a direct answer to your question, but just thinking about what I want to talk about …I would hope that anyone and everyone can empathise and understand the difficulties that come with the end of a long, loving, fully committed relationship of over six and a half years. That is a hard thing to navigate. What is unusual and abnormal in this situation is that, one week later, it’s suddenly in the public domain and the outside world is able to weigh in.”

What is known vs. what is said: “So you have something very real suddenly thrown into a very unreal space: tabloids, social media, press, where it is then dissected, speculated on, pulled out of shape beyond recognition. And the truth is, to that last point, there is always going to be a gap between what is known and what is said. I have made my peace with that.”

He’s not into commodifying the relationship: “As everyone knows, we together — both of us, mutually — decided to keep the more private details of our relationship private. It was never something to commodify and I see no reason to change that now. And, look, this is also a little over a year ago now and I feel fortunate to be in a really great place in my life, professionally and personally. I feel really good.” Later I point out that, arguably, the reason to change tack is because Swift — who has 283 million Instagram followers — has released an album where some songs seemingly relate to their relationship unravelling. “Well, as I said, there’s always going to be a gap between what’s known and what’s said.”

He won’t discuss whether he’s still in touch with his ex or whether he is dating again: “I’m sure you can appreciate, given the level of noise and scrutiny about my past relationship, why I wouldn’t want to just open the door to things like that right now.”

He’s trying to ignore the Swifties: “I have brilliant, authentic people in my life. I try and live in reality and away from the kind of online noise of Twitter — or wherever else it comes from — and try and just stay in the moment.” He laughs off the idea that he’d have to go out in disguise, but clearly avoids the Swift-related conspiracy nuttiness and trolling. “I try and dial that volume down. I was obviously made aware of it and think that mistreating anyone, whether it’s in person or behind the anonymity of a keyboard, is shameful.”

Taylor’s namecheck of the Black Dog pub in Vauxhall: Capitalising on this association, the pub has recently released merchandise: £50 hoodies, naff caps, tees and travel mugs. “I’ve never been to Vauxhall,” says Alwyn, smiling a smile that hints that there is more to say.

[From The Times]

“There is always going to be a gap between what is known and what is said” – while I think he mostly means the outside world dissecting and discussing his relationship with Swift, I also think he’s referencing Taylor herself and how she writes and sings about her relationships. He seems confident that no matter what, he’s not going to get the full “Taylor’s Ex” treatment. What’s amazing is that he’s right – it’s been more than a year and he’s mostly weathered the storm with little to no repercussions. The Swifties have tried to throw accusations at him – he cheated, he refused to marry her, he strung her along – but Joe just stayed placid and quiet. And that shows how well he knows Taylor too – maybe he didn’t know exactly how it would happen, but he knew Taylor would make an ass out of herself and the heat would be off of him at some point. Matt Healy was like instant karma.

His comment about the very online Swifties is interesting too – “I was obviously made aware of it and think that mistreating anyone, whether it’s in person or behind the anonymity of a keyboard, is shameful.” Funny, Taylor has never said anything like that about her own fans.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, cover courtesy of The Times.

Lupita Nyong’o is one of the best actresses in her – *my* – generation. (We Millennials are happy to claim her as one of us.) She broke into the mainstream with 2013’s 12 Years a Slave and quickly established herself as a fantastic dramatic actress. She’s also starred in blockbuster franchises, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nakia in both Black Panther movies, played a role in the Star Wars universe as Maz Kanata (a stop-motion role), gone the horror route in Jordan Peele’s Us, and done an action/spy movie, The 355, which I really liked. She’s currently starring in the prequel to A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place: Day One. But there’s one genre that Lupita is really looking to break into, and that’s the romantic comedy. During a recent event celebrating her career hosted by Paramount Pictures and Hollywood Confidential, Lupita let it be known that she would really like someone to send her a rom-com script.

Lupita Nyong’o has a request for Hollywood casting directors. On Friday, June 14, Paramount Pictures and Hollywood Confidential hosted an event celebrating the Oscar-winning actress, 41, for her years of work in the film and TV industries at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.

Nyong’o’s film and TV résumé is expansive — she took home a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 2014 for her work in 12 Years a Slave, portrayed a spy and romantic interest to Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther and starred in horror movies including Jordan Peele’s thriller Us — but there’s one genre she really wants to tackle next, she told PEOPLE.

“Please tell everybody I’m looking for the rom-com,” she announced. “I am here. I’m taking calls. Listen, if I need to audition, I’ll do it. I’m dying to do a comedy. Dying to do a comedy.”

The Emmy winner has started taking matters into her own hands, posting silly videos of herself, her cat and more to show off her lighthearted side.

“I’m trying to tell these executives that I’m funny and that I can be lighthearted and light-footed,” Nyong’o added. “But I do have more dramatic roles in the can than light ones, so someone’s just got to take a chance with me. So consider this my open application.”

[From People]

Okay, listen up, Hollywood. When Lupita Nyong’o asks to do a rom-com, you say “YES!” Someone send this woman a script, pronto. I’ve never seen it, but back in 2018, Lupita did a “horror/rom-com hybrid” zombie comedy that streamed on Hulu called, Little Monsters. She got great reviews, too. I would love to see her in a straight up rom-com as the female lead. Everyone keeps trying to make Glen Powell happen; I’d watch a movie with the two of them. I also kinda have a crush on Daniel Kaluuya and wouldn’t mind watching him reunite on screen with Lupita. Also, don’t hate me, but I would also watch her in a movie with Channing Tatum. Yes, I know, I know, but I kinda love me some Channing T. He has this earnestness that does it for me. Hmm, who else? I would also throw Donald Glover in the mix, as well. I watched the Mr. And Mrs. Smith series, and as a result, I dig him as a romantic leading man. So yeah, someone in Hollywood needs to make this happen for Lupita. I’ll be there opening weekend.

Photos credit: Justin Ng / Avalon, Avalon.red, sb/Avalon

In the days and weeks ahead of Trooping the Colour, there were so many conversations about whether the Princess of Wales would be seen on the day and whether the Wales kids would be seen as well. Kate and the three children had not been seen out in public since Christmas Day, and it did feel like they would have to be a package deal for Trooping, it wasn’t like Prince William could just turn up with Prince George and call it a day. One of the conversations was also: if Kate and the kids show up, will they overshadow King Charles at his big birthday parade? The answer was yes, they did overshadow Charles. But it looks like Charles was playing a much bigger game. He’s now using Kate and the Wales kids’ appearances for his own “grandpa embiggening” campaign. Buckingham Palace clearly ran straight to Becky English at the Mail with a full briefing which centered the Wales family’s reappearance solely on Grandpa Charles. There’s also a low-key admission that Charles needs to be seen with George, Charlotte and Louis publicly because the cat’s out of the bag that he’s a dogsh-t father and grandfather.

To his grandchildren, however, he is just known affectionately as ‘Grandpa Wales’. While much has been written — not all, it has to be said, complimentary — about the King’s role as a father over the years, it is his unbridled enthusiasm as a grandfather that has shown Charles in a softer new light. An enthusiasm that explains why, despite the family’s personal difficulties, the Prince and Princess of Wales were so keen that their children, George, ten, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, joined their ‘GW’ at Trooping the Colour on Saturday.

In order for the youngsters to be there and play a full role — riding in a carriage on The Mall, watching proceedings on Horse Guards and joining the family ‘balcony moment’ — Mummy needed to be there too to keep the ‘kiddies’ (as she calls her young brood) in check as Papa was on horseback. For Kate, there was also a determination to support the father-in-law she has become increasingly close to over the years and with whom she now shares the unenviable bond of a serious health battle.

In recent years the King has become a central part of William, Kate and their young family’s lives — a relationship emphasised by the lack of personal contact with Harry and Meghan’s two, Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet. He has only met his youngest granddaughter in person once since she was born, and Archie barely a handful of times.

Recently, it was suggested that the King was unhappy with the situation and ‘keener than ever’ to build a relationship with them that wasn’t just confined to video calls to California. The story was not universally welcomed as it put Buckingham Palace in an impossible position: those close to the King genuinely never speak about the Sussexes’ children to avoid inflaming transatlantic tensions, but to deny it would be to suggest that the King doesn’t want greater contact with them — which clearly isn’t true at all.

And the situation is particularly complicated because of Harry’s repeated attacks on his father and family, his dogged insistence in the UK courts that he isn’t safe bringing his family to the UK, plus Charles’s inability to travel to the U.S. because of his health issues and responsibilities. When I asked a well-placed source whether Harry could bring his children to see the King at Balmoral this summer as a compromise, the answer was a resounding snort. Read into that what you will. His relationship with his other three grandchildren is in a far better place.

The family’s relocation to Windsor, where they live in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Great Park, along with the King’s decision to spend more time at the castle, has given him the chance to see more of the little Waleses. One close friend says: ‘He cherishes being a grandfather and enjoys enormously the time he spends with them. He loves playing with them in the garden and reading to them.’

I’m told that the King has even named an area he has created at his Scottish home of Birkhall ‘Prince George’s Wood’.

‘While people don’t see often him with his grandchildren that much because most of those moments happen behind closed doors, I know he is very careful to ensure he makes time for them in his busy schedule,’ the close friend says. He is, another source tells me, ‘doting in his own way’.

[From The Daily Mail]

I’ve pointed out before that Charles is actually breaking a significant royal tradition, where royal kids are often mentored by their loving grandparents. Charles was mentored by his grandmother (the Queen Mum), Harry and William had a close bond with QEII, etc. Charles doesn’t give a sh-t about his grandkids. He evicted the Sussexes and refused to give them security for their visits. He barely spends time with the Wales kids, and he only uses them as props for “loving grandfather” PR. I came into this story surprised that Charles is basically making Kate’s reappearance sound tangential to the need for the KIDS to be there, then I was doubly surprised that there’s a section about the Sussexes. Someone in Buckingham Palace (not Charles) understands that he looks like a horrible father and grandfather because of his cruel actions against the Sussexes. He couldn’t have Kate and the kids missing in action too.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

It’s been more than a month since a celebrity posted their American Riviera Orchard jam-baskets from the Duchess of Sussex. Those jam-baskets went out throughout April, then they stopped when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had other things on their plate – Harry went to London for an Invictus service, then Harry and Meghan went to Nigeria for a “quasi-royal tour.” Since all of that happened in May, it’s been pretty quiet in the royal court of Montecito. I have been waiting and hoping for a real American Riviera Orchard launch, to the point where I’ve wondered if Meghan hit pause because of all of the shenanigans across the pond.

Well, that all changed this weekend, when Nacho Figueras suddenly posted some new ARO products on his Instagram Stories. It looks like Meghan didn’t just make strawberry jam, she also made raspberry jam and fancy dog biscuits. She sent jars of both to Nacho and Delfina, and Nacho was the one who posted them. Nacho and Delfina are ride-or-die for Meghan. Nacho really is the brother Harry never had.

Anyway, are we ever going to be able to buy any of this stuff? I want to buy jam which will bring down the monarchy! I want to taste a jam flavored with the tears of the British royalists. I also hope Meghan remembers that cats need treats too!

Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Nacho’s IG.