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"I believe he is alive": Father of young man who jumped off cruise ship speaks out

<p>The father of the young man who jumped off a cruise ship on its way to Florida has spoken out, saying he believes his son is still alive. </p> <p>While the Liberty of the Seas was travelling back from the Dominican Republic on its way to Florida, 20-year-old Levion Parker <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/young-man-who-jumped-off-cruise-ship-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jumped overboard</a>. </p> <p>The ship was reportedly about 90km off the southern most island of the Bahamas when the young man, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, jumped overboard in the early hours of the morning. </p> <p>Witnesses recounted the harrowing scene, describing how a young man took a spontaneous plunge from one of the ship's decks, despite the desperate pleas and helplessness of his father and brother who stood witness to the impulsive act.</p> <p>After days of searching, the US coast guard called off their search for the young man. </p> <p>Now, Legion's father Francel said he believes his son is still alive. </p> <p>“As soon as he went off the side, I prayed over him. I was confident the prayers I said over my son were heard. I stand on the word of God. I believe he is alive,” Mr Parker told local Florida paper, the <a href="https://www.yoursun.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Daily Sun</em>, </a>on Wednesday.</p> <p>Francel went open to say that he threw six life rings off the ship in hopes of saving his son before the vessel was able to come to a stop about 20 minutes later.</p> <p>When news broke onboard of the tragedy, travellers reported that many people came out of their cabins to stare at the sea, hoping to be able to spot the young man in the water.</p> <p>Levion was reportedly “drunk” on the night of the incident, although details around this are unclear as the minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean ships on voyages from North America or the Caribbean is 21.</p> <p>“We don’t drink,” Levion’s father Francel said. “I’d like to know how my son was served so much alcohol.”</p> <p>Francel, who owns an air-conditioning business, was invited, together with his family, aboard the ship as guests of Florida-based air-conditioning wholesalers Tropic Supply to mark the company’s 50th anniversary.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Young man who jumped off cruise ship identified

<p>The young man who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/his-family-was-horrified-young-man-jumps-off-cruise-ship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jumped overboard</a> from a Royal Caribbean cruise has been identified as 20-year-old Levion Parker. </p> <p>Parker, a former high school footballer from Florida, was onboard the Liberty of the Seas with his family when the incident occurred, as the vessel was making its way back to the US after a four-day cruise to the Dominican Republic. </p> <p>The ship was reportedly about 90km off the southern most island of the Bahamas when the young man, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, jumped overboard in the early hours of the morning. </p> <p>Witnesses recounted the harrowing scene, describing how a young man took a spontaneous plunge from one of the ship's decks, despite the desperate pleas and helplessness of his father and brother who stood witness to the impulsive act.</p> <p>A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/20yo-who-went-overboard-royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-identified/news-story/ebeef7b2ed03d828b5a6efbd2a8ebfe1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> the ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who took over the search. </p> <p>“Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share,” the spokesperson said on Monday.</p> <p>Fellow travellers on the cruise were alerted to the tragedy during breakfast a few hours later, as many stood along balconies starring into the sea in the hopes of finding the man. </p> <p>A passenger took to Reddit to post about the heartbreaking incident said they became aware of the tragedy when the captain "announced it over the PA system while we were at breakfast and the entire room went silent.” </p> <p>Levion’s father Francel Parker, who owns an air-conditioning business, was invited, together with his family, aboard the ship as guests of Florida-based air-conditioning wholesalers Tropic Supply to mark the company’s 50th anniversary.</p> <p>The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for the missing young man.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Camilla's unexpected coronation guest

<p>As the royal family prepares for the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles, an unexpected guest has been revealed to be attending. </p> <p>Camilla's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, will be present for the coronation in Westminster Abbey in May, as he remains “joined at the hip” with his ex-wife.</p> <p>Andrew and Camilla were married for 22 years before they divorced in 1995. </p> <p>Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman the following year, who died from breast cancer in 2010, while Camilla married the then-Prince of Wales in 2005. </p> <p>Ever since their divorce, the couple have remained close. </p> <p>A friend of Parker Bowles told <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/camillas-naughty-ex-andrew-parker-bowles-is-coming-to-the-coronation-blwlqc9dv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Sunday Times</em></a>, “He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.”</p> <p>One of Camilla’s Queen Companions, the Marchioness of Lansdowne said everyone “loves Andrew” and that he’s a “real charmer but he’s always terribly misbehaving”.</p> <p>She added, “Through adversity they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren.”</p> <p>Parker Bowles was unfaithful to Camilla during their marriage, and their friends describe the retired army officer as “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty”.</p> <p>He remains close, however, with several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne with whom he had a brief romance.</p> <p>Parker Bowles has attended both of Charles’ weddings, including to Princess Diana in July 1981 when he accompanied the then-Prince and Princess of Wales’s carriages on horseback after the ceremony.</p> <p>Parker Bowles was also present at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, attending the ceremony with Pitman.</p> <p>Camilla and Andrew have two children together, Tom Parker Bowles, who is King Charles' godson, and Laura Lopes, who have given the former couple five grandchildren. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

Georgie Parker drops big Home and Away news

<p><em>Home and Away</em> star Georgie Parker, has revealed she is leaving the show.</p> <p>According to a report on <em>Yahoo</em>, Georgie is taking a seven-week break and is set to be off-screen by August 2022.</p> <p>The actress, who first joined the show in 2010, replacing Justine Clarke as Ruth “Roo” Stewart, will perform in the play <em>Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica</em>.</p> <p>Georgie said she was lucky that production wrote her out of scripts as she took on different artistic ventures.</p> <p>“I'm lucky that with or any other TV productions I've been involved with, I've been very fortunate that I kind of put it out there if it's going to be long term, that I need time out for plays,' Georgie told Yahoo.</p> <p>“Channel Seven has always been very generous with letting me do that. I just get it written into my contract,” she added.</p> <p>She is one of Australia’s most beloved actresses, having appeared on <em>All Saints</em> and <em>A Country Practice</em>.</p> <p>The star married her husband, Steve Worland, in 1999 and gave birth to their daughter Holly in 2000.</p> <p>Georgie told <em>TV week</em> in 2022 that she struggled with juggling her career and being a new mum.</p> <p>“I got married and became a mum when I won the first Gold Logie,” she said.</p> <p>“I was split between a lot of things. It was a very stressful time.</p> <p>“The struggle I had was that I'd never chased that kind of success, so when I got it, I was doing it more because I wanted the show to succeed.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Camilla’s ex-husband carries out official duty on her behalf

<p dir="ltr">Queen Consort Camilla's ex-husband, whom she shares two kids with, has carried out an official duty on her behalf.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles formally represented the Queen Consort at his cousin John Bowes-Lyon’s funeral at the London Oratory.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is the first official duty he has performed on behalf of his ex-wife and it is believed that it won’t be the last time the 82-year-old former Army officer would represent the Queen Consort.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Andrew is happy to do anything he is asked. He still enjoys a warm relationship with Camilla,” a source told Daily Mail. </p> <p dir="ltr">Camilla and Andrew married in 1973 before they separated in the 1980s and divorced in 1995.</p> <p dir="ltr">They share two children, Tom and Laura. </p> <p dir="ltr">Earlier this year, the Queen Consort spoke candidly about cooking for her children despite not being a great in the kitchen. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I always cooked for the children growing up, and they were good eaters, but I was never the most adventurous of cooks,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was sent on a cooking course in Sussex when I was young but, really, I learnt from my mother. I’ve never followed a recipe in my life...</p> <p dir="ltr">“I could fill a book with all my cooking disasters. I’m not a natural baker, to say the least. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As for baked potatoes… many a poor, incinerated specimen has been found in the bottom of the Aga, put in, then forgotten about.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Camilla married King Charles III in 2005 following a whirlwind romance and affairs dating back to when Charles was married to Diana. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

Sarah Jessica Parker's "devastating" family news

<p>Sarah Jessica Parker has shared the news that her step-father, Paul Giffin Forste, has died at age 76. </p> <p>“Our family is sad to announce that after an unexpected and rapid illness, Paul Giffin Forste passed away yesterday at age 76,” the <em>Sex and the City</em> star’s family said in a statement obtained by <a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/09/29/sarah-jessica-parkers-devastating-family-situation-revealed/?_ga=2.259786575.430144023.1664372447-2143273385.1636072101" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a>.</p> <p>“In his last moments he was surrounded with the love and gratitude of his adored wife Barbara of 54 years, and children, including Sarah Jessica Parker.”</p> <p>The statement continued, ”Paul will be remembered with the spirit of loving kindness which was his faith, his special delight in his 13 grandchildren, and his sustained belief in making the world a more charitable, tolerant, and beautiful place for all.”</p> <p>According to Page Six, Sarah Jessica Parker abruptly fled New York City Ballet’s 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala due to a "personal matter". </p> <p>A source first told the outlet that the actress departed the David H. Koch Theatre at New York’s Lincoln Centre just moments after she arrived at the fundraiser, where she was being honoured.</p> <p>Parker is the vice chair of the NYCB Board of Directors. She was also the mastermind behind the Fall Fashion Gala, which was first celebrated a decade ago.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

Furious parents respond to damning footage of child cruelty at preschool

<p dir="ltr">Two preschool teachers have been charged with child cruelty after a parent saw them allegedly abuse their students. </p> <p dir="ltr">Zeina Alostwani, 40, and Soriana Briceno, 19, have been fired from their jobs at Parker-Chase Preschool in Roswell, Georgia and charged with first-degree child cruelty. </p> <p dir="ltr">The classroom has a parent monitoring livestream which allegedly showed Alostwani and Briceno stepping on children’s hands, kneeing them and poking their foreheads. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That parent reported logging onto the camera system and seeing concerning physical contact between Alostwani and Briceno against several children in the classroom,” police said in a statement.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRoswellGAPolice%2Fposts%2F393926096107257&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="632" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Footage shows the students between the ages of two and three sitting in a circle on a rug when one of the teachers allegedly steps on a child’s hand for several seconds before allegedly kneeing a second child in the back.</p> <p dir="ltr">Then one of the teachers is on all fours and gets extremely close to one of the kids and allegedly pokes them repeatedly in the forehead with her finger.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is alleged that the child who was poked in the forehead was the same one who was allegedly kneed in the back. </p> <p dir="ltr">Alostwani and Briceno were arrested and charged with first-degree child cruelty when the parent made a complaint. </p> <p dir="ltr">The preschool released a statement expressing their shock and disappointment of the “inappropriate disciplinary actions with children”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The teachers in question were immediately removed from the classroom and have been dismissed. We reported this matter to our licensing agency and Children’s Protective Services and are co-operating fully with the authorities, who have informed us that criminal charges are being pursued,” the statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“While we are extremely grateful that the children are well, we take this matter seriously, and our investigation is ongoing. We expect our staff to adhere to the highest standards of care, and any failure to do so will not be tolerated.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Roswell Police</em></p>

Family & Pets

Fans go wild over Georgie Parker’s gravity-defying gown

<p dir="ltr">A staple of most women’s wardrobes, the little black dress Seven presenter and former Olympic hockey player Georgie Parker <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/seven-presenter-georgie-parker-aflw-gravity-defying-dress-075404317.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wore</a> has proved why it’s a fashion must-have.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ebf1a38f-7fff-e387-6952-64811052ba2b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Parker stunned fans with the strapless, form-fitting dress she wore to the AFLW Awards in Melbourne in April.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_xS7wPyzb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_xS7wPyzb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parker19)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The $316 dress from Maison Femalien features a cut-scalloped neckline, dramatic thigh-high split on one side, and goes from cinching in at Parker’s waist to grazing her ankle as a pencil skirt.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a5d0ce55-7fff-0455-8d82-579ffd186594"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Parker shared her look on Instagram in a mirror selfie, joking that she was “sponsored by Hollywood tape” and receiving a flood of compliments from fans.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_sI5mFUxt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb_sI5mFUxt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Georgie Parker (@georgie_parker19)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Looking gorgeous babe xx,” one fan gushed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“STUNNING 🔥😍,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-154308c6-7fff-227a-7d8b-f4c9a3013b51"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Omggggg how hot are u 🔥🔥🔥,” a third said.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbyARYeB6jo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbyARYeB6jo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Fitzy & Wippa on Nova (@fitzyandwippa)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The sister version of Parker’s dress was spotted just a week earlier, when <em>Married At First Sight</em> favourite Ella Ding wore the frock to the Fitzy and Wippa <em>Married At First Sight</em> dinner party.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appropriately called the ‘Ella’, Ding’s dress differed in that it was considerably shorter than Parker’s and made of a ruched fabric, but shared the same eye-catching neckline.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e991872-7fff-3940-abe1-47f6a0827d6f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @georgie_parker19 (Instagram)</em></p>

Beauty & Style

How to stay in Carrie Bradshaw's apartment from Sex and the City

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s the ultimate experience for fans of <em>Sex and the City</em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A stunning recreation of the Brownstone New York apartment that the show’s Carrie Bradshaw character lived in is being put up for rent by Airbnb.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah Jessica Parker herself played a role in designing it and will be "virtually" welcoming guests when they arrive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Carrie Bradshaw character is near and dear to my heart, and revisiting her world for the continuation of the <em>Sex and the City</em> story has been such a joy,” said SJP.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carrie’s brownstone apartment was central to the series and its décor has now been painstakingly recreated by Parker, Airbnb, and a small New York-based production team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The character’s famous walk-in wardrobe, her writing desk and her bedroom appear almost exactly as they did in the cult series.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Replicas of key props from the original apartment are dotted throughout, such as circa-2000 cordless phone and a blocky black laptop, like the one Carrie used to labour over her writing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After enjoying a virtual greeting from the actress upon check-in, Airbnb says the guests can sip on cosmopolitans – reminiscent of the many cocktail-laden scenes from the series.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A styling session and a photoshoot will also be included in the experience. Guests will get the chance to play dress-up in a recreation of Carrie’s closet, which has been filled with duplicates of some of the iconic looks from the series.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This includes a model of the tutu Carrie wears in the show’s opening credits, which is one of the most famous looks curated by the show’s costume designer Patricia Field. Outfits from Carrie’s favourite fashion designers also line the closet, as well as – of course – rows and rows of shoes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m excited for our audience to experience Carrie’s New York like never before and walk in her shoes, quite literally, for the first time," Parker said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guests will also be invited to leave the apartment and explore Manhattan, traipsing the same streets as Carrie and her entourage would have done.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brunch in Chelsea is part of the experience, which Airbnb describes as a ‘meal where many conversations took place that deepened Carrie’s friendships with the girls’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Sex and the City, the exterior shots of Carrie's apartment showed 64 and 66 Perry Street in Manhattan's West Village. Meanwhile, the interior scenes were captured in Silvercup Studios in Queens.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the recreation, Airbnb used a different New York apartment that had a similar floorplan to that of Carrie's flat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new Airbnb was designed in honour of next month's premiere of <em>And Just Like That</em>..., a 10-episode revival of <em>Sex and the City</em> that will air on HBO Max and Sky Comedy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon will reprise their roles in the series, but Kim Cattrall - who played publicity dynamo Samantha Jones - declined to take part.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Airbnb project, which was a collaboration between Airbnb and Warner Bros Consumer Products, also marks 23 years since fans were first introduced to the show.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parker will host two one-night stays for up to two guests each on November 12 and 14 for just $23 a night.</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: AirBnB</em></p>

Real Estate

Prince Charles and Camilla to embark on first royal tour since 2019

<p dir="ltr">The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are preparing to head off on their first royal tour in almost two years, Clarence House has announced.</p> <p dir="ltr">Charles and Camilla will visit Jordan and Egypt from November 16 to 19 as representatives of the Queen and the British government. It is the first royal tour to take place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (as opposed to brief visits).</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple will visit holy sites and attend interfaith events aimed at promoting tolerance between different religions. Climate change and the importance of girls’ education will also be highlighted during the visit, which will take place after the COP26 summit in Glasgow next week, and which the couple will also be attending. Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate will also be attending the historic climate summit.</p> <p dir="ltr">While visiting Jordan and Egypt, Prince Charles will take part in conversations about the value of religious freedom and respect for other people’s beliefs, subjects of particular importance in countries that are home to holy sites for Muslims, Christians, Jews, and other religions. Charles has previously warned against the dangers of religious persecution and extremism, including to Christian communities in the Middle East.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jordan’s role in taking in so many refugees, including Palestinians and Syrians, in a region that has faced much conflict will be recognised, and Camilla will see work in Jordan that is being done by Queen Rania to keep girls in school and protect vulnerable children and mothers. In addition to visits to historic sites such as the city of Alexandria, there will be a focus on the importance of teaching crafts skills necessary to maintain and preserve such sites.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tour will also include a showcase of the monuments built for a far more ancient royal dynasty, with a reception overlooking the Pyramids of Giza.</p> <p dir="ltr">Charles last visited Jordan in 2015, and Camilla in 2013. The couple last visited Egypt in 2006.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Jacob King-WPA Pool/Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

"It's been unbearable": Sarah Jessica Parker finally breaks silence on fallen co-star

<p>Actress Sarah Jessica Parker has broken her silence on the death of her friend and <em>Sex and the City</em> co-star Willie Garson. </p> <p>Willie died on September 21st after a battle with pancreatic cancer. </p> <p>A flood of <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/tributes-pour-in-for-willie-garson-who-has-died-at-57" target="_blank">tributes poured in</a> for the 57-year-old following the news of his death, with SJP saying at the time, "It's too soon". </p> <p>But on Friday, she penned an emotional tribute to her late friend, saying "It's been unbearable."</p> <p>Her caption reads, “Sometimes silence is a statement. Of the gravity. The anguish. The magnitude of the loss of a 30+ year friendship.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNtHhyFBf0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUNtHhyFBf0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by SJP (@sarahjessicaparker)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“A real friendship that allowed for secrets, adventure, a shared professional family, truth, concerts, road trips, meals, late night phone calls, a mutual devotion to parenthood and all the heartaches and joy that accompany, triumphs, disappointments, fear, rage and years spent on sets (most especially Carrie’s apartment) and laughing late into the night as both Stanford and Carrie and Willie and SJ.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“Willie. I will miss everything about you. And replay our last moments together,” Parker’s post continued.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“I will re-read every text from your final days and put to pen our last calls. Your absence a crater that I will fill with blessing of these memories and all the ones that are still in recesses yet to surface."</p> <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-qyun7f-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0"> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“My love and deepest sympathies and condolences to you dear Nathen. You were and are the light of Willie’s life and his greatest achievement was being your Papa."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“These were his last words to me. ‘Great bangles all around.’ Yes. Godspeed Willie Garson. RIP. X, SJ,” she ended her post.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Along with the lengthy emotional caption, Sarah shared a series of photos of the pair from both on and off screen, as both colleagues and friends. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">The two had recently been working together on the set of <em>And Just Like That...</em>, in which Willie returned to his role as Stanford Blatch, Carrie Bradshaw's lifelong friend. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Other Sex and the City alumni shared tributes to the actor, including Cynthia Nixon, executive producer of the show Michael Patrick King, and Willie's on-screen partner Mario Cantone. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner. I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods. Rest my sweet friend. I love you. <a href="https://t.co/Ia4tg1VK1Y">pic.twitter.com/Ia4tg1VK1Y</a></p> — Mario Cantone (@macantone) <a href="https://twitter.com/macantone/status/1440466454160101382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">So deeply, deeply sad we have lost <a href="https://twitter.com/WillieGarson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WillieGarson</a>. We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional— always. <a href="https://t.co/G63EJIj8lG">pic.twitter.com/G63EJIj8lG</a></p> — Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaNixon/status/1440481643936948238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: Instagram @sarahjessicaparker</em></p> </div>

Caring

First look at Sex and the City reboot

<p>Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis have returned for the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That.</p> <p>The next chapter of the beloved story of four friends in New York follows “Carrie” (Parker), “Miranda” (Nixon), and “Charlotte” (Davis) as “they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.”</p> <p>Production has officially begun on the series, with an official photo being released over the weekend.</p> <p>And Just Like That will stream on Binge later this year.</p> <p>The cast includes Sara Ramirez, Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson and Evan Handler.</p> <p>Kim Cattrall, who played publicist Samantha Jones, will not be returning.</p> <p>HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys told<span> </span><em>TVLine<span> </span></em>back in February the show “is very much a story about women in their 50s, and they are dealing with things that people deal with in their 50s.”</p> <p>He explained to the outlet, “Just as in real life, people come into your life, people leave. Friendships fade, and new friendships start. So I think it is all very indicative of the real stages, the actual stages of life … They’re trying to tell an honest story about being a woman in her 50s in New York. So it should all feel somewhat organic, and the friends that you have when you’re 30, you may not have when you’re 50.”</p> <p>The four women played their respective characters for six seasons and two movies from 1998 until as recently as 2010.</p>

New Princess Charlotte photo evidence for Aussie "son" of Charles and Camilla

<p>A Queensland man who claims he is the secret love child of Prince Charles and Camilla has released a shocking series of new photographs comparing his family to members of the royal family.</p> <p>Simon Dorante-Day made global headlines since he went public with his claims that he says are a culmination of years of research.</p> <p>And now, the British-Australian man has featured Princess Charlotte, Prince Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals to further prove his claim.</p> <p>One comparison photograph has piqued interest for the “striking similarity” between Princess Charlotte and Dorante-Day’s daughter Meriam.</p> <p>Dorante-Day also released a photograph of his son Liam alongside Prince Charles and also Prince Andrew which surprised many with one observer saying there was “no denying this one”.</p> <p>Dorante-Day told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/" target="_blank"><em>7NEWS.com.au</em></a><span> </span>that he himself is surprised by the resemblance between his children a number of other royals.</p> <p>“The one of Liam and Prince Charles really got me,” he said.</p> <p>Dorante-Day went on to say: “I think it’s really hard to look at that one and not see the resemblance, it’s pretty compelling.</p> <p>“The one with Princess Charlotte and our Meriam is also a head-turner. We have always had people tell us how much she looks like Charlotte - even by people who don’t know about our background.</p> <p>“But to see it in black and white is pretty hard to refute.</p> <p>“We are always receiving these sorts of comparisons that supporters on my Facebook page and royal fans and watchers have put together.</p> <p>“They’re always fascinating and definitely gives people food for thought.”</p> <p>A number of curious people have commented on the similarity between the Dorante-Day’s and British royal family members.</p> <p>“There is no denying here,” one person said.</p> <p>Another wrote: “I must say the area above the top lip is typical Windsor on all the children including yourself Simon.”</p> <p>Said one more: “Wow. it’s amazing how much you and your children look like the royal family I wish you good luck and hope the truth comes out in the end.”</p>

Family & Pets

Camilla gives health update on Prince Philip

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, gave an update on Prince Philip's condition while speaking to vaccination centre volunteers in London.</p> <p>She said that he was "slightly improving" and that "we keep our fingers crossed" for his speedy recovery.</p> <p>It's the Duke of Edinburgh's third week in hospital and he is currently undergoing tests for a heart condition.</p> <p>He was transferred by ambulance to St Bartholomew's hospital to continue treatment for an infection as well as undergo testing for the heart condition.</p> <p>"The Duke of Edinburgh was today transferred from King Edward VII's Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.</p> <p>"The Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week."</p> <p>It's currently not known when he will be leaving hospital, as he was treated previously during Christmas in 2011 for a blocked coronary artery.</p> </div> </div> </div>

News

Awful truth behind explosive Princess Diana interview

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The BBC is investigating the tactics used to obtain an interview with the late Princess Diana where she uttered the tragic statement about her marriage to Prince Charles: "There were three of us in this marriage".</p> <p>The interview between journalist Martin Bashir and Diana aired in 1995 but 25 years on, new evidence suggests that the reporter may have used forged bank statements and other unethical methods to convince Diana to agree to the interview.</p> <p>The incident is now being properly investigated, but it's complicated as Bashir, 57, is now gravely ill with COVID-19.</p> <p>Over the weekend, the BBC apologised to Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer after he brought forward the evidence.</p> <p>The network admitted that Bashir showed Spencer bank statements doctored by a staff graphic designer. Spencer had alleged that Bashir told his sister “fantastical stories to win her trust” and showed him fake bank records that reportedly helped land Bashir the interview.</p> <p>Charles said he found a letter sent to him by Bashir that brought up rumours of an affair between Charles and the family nanny.</p> <p>At the time, Diana was allegedly deeply worried she was being spied on and Bashir's "evidence" made her confident to do the interview.</p> <p>“There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” Diana said in the interview, referring to Charles’ affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.</p> <p>Weeks after Diana uttered that sentence, the royals began divorce proceedings.</p> <p>“Suggesting that mocked-up documents were genuine was wrong then and it’s wrong now; the BBC of today is happy to apologise for this. The BBC’s editorial processes are now even tougher and this would not happen today,” said a statement from a BBC spokesperson sent to the <em>New York Post</em>. “The BBC’s records say that the Princess of Wales said she hadn’t seen the mocked-up documents and they had played no part in her decision to take part in the interview.”</p> <p>The BBC is now investigating the interview.</p> <p>“The BBC has apologised. We are happy to repeat that apology. And while this was a quarter of a century ago, we absolutely will investigate – robustly and fairly – substantive new information,” a spokeswoman told Deadline. “We have asked Earl Spencer to share further information with the BBC.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, we are hampered at the moment by the simple fact that we are unable to discuss any of this with Martin Bashir, as he is seriously unwell. When he is well, we will of course hold an investigation into these new issues.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

“There’s only one person who cares about this country”: Paul Parker sacking saga heats up

<p>The firefighter who claims he was sacked by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service after an expletive-laden comment about Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come out in support of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>9News</em> on Monday, Paul Parker said he supported the Queensland senator. “There’s only one person who cares about this country and that’s Pauline Hanson,” the volunteer firefighter said.</p> <p>“Come and see us in Nelligen, Pauline. Mate you’re unreal, you care about the country. The rest of them don’t.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">For all of those who are taking up the memorable catch cry of RFS volunteer Paul Parker. Here is a bit more context from an interview he did with <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9NewsAUS</a>. There is only one politician in Australia he doesn’t think should “get f-ed”. Guess who? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/2yJQT83uSd">pic.twitter.com/2yJQT83uSd</a></p> — Chris Uhlmann (@CUhlmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/CUhlmann/status/1229257594973249536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Parker said on <em><a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200217jwcdf/former-rfs-volunteer-paul-parker-to-start-his-own-brigade-will-never-regret-morrison-comments-20200217">The Project</a> </em>Sunday night he was stood down by the RFS for his “allegations and foul language” against Morrison while on duty.</p> <p>“Didn’t know you could get sacked from a volunteer organisation but apparently you can,” he said.</p> <p>In a now-viral <em>7News </em>clip, Parker could be seen driving his fire truck towards a camera crew on January 4 after he had been fighting fires near Nelligan on the NSW south coast.</p> <p>“Are you from the media? Tell the prime minister to go and get f**ked from Nelligan. We really enjoy doing this shit, d***head,” Parker told the camera.</p> <p>The RFS denied Parker had been sacked.</p> <p>“We can confirm Paul remains a member of the NSW RFS and has not been dismissed,” it said in a statement on social media.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The NSW RFS is aware of reports concerning the status of volunteer member Paul Parker from the Nelligen area.<br />We can confirm Paul remains a member of the NSW RFS and has not been dismissed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWRFS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWRFS</a></p> — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1229183204822679552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Morrison said on Monday he was pleased Parker had not been sacked.</p> <p>“There should never be any question about whether he should have been fired or not – of course, he shouldn’t,” he said.</p> <p>“I understand Paul was feeling incredibly exhausted, and incredibly drained by those events and he was working his tail off defending his community.”</p> <p>Parker said he would no longer be a part of the RFS after the alleged sacking.</p> <p>“You know, I was doing everything I possibly could do to protect my community and to be told that, it devastated me,” he said on <em><a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200217jwcdf/former-rfs-volunteer-paul-parker-to-start-his-own-brigade-will-never-regret-morrison-comments-20200217">The Project</a> </em>Monday.</p> <p>“The fires are out and I want to move on with the rest of my life, and I want to move on with building our own local brigade with 30 or 40 local people around the area that are very keen to get it up and running so we can look after ourselves.”</p>

News

Alleged love child of Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla launches legal bid

<p>A British-born man who was adopted and moved to Australia believes he is the love child of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.</p> <p>While it has been perhaps a great rumour believed by few and questioned by many, Simon Dorante-Day, 53, is taking his beliefs one step further by going to the country’s High Court to try and force Britain’s future King and his wife to take a DNA test.</p> <p>Simon says he is not deterred from his “40 year search” for truth, despite court clerks laughing when he first filed his papers and his legal claim being thrown out three times already.</p> <p>He believes that his parentage will have been discussed by the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry at this month's Sandringham summit where the terms of Harry and Meghan's 'Megxit' deal were thrashed out.</p> <p>In 2019, Simon caused upset when he claimed Princess Diana's death in Paris in August 1997 came after 'she was going to go public with it'. </p> <p>The 53-year-old claims his adoptive grandparents Winifred and Ernest worked for the Queen and Prince Philip as a cook and a gardener respectively and had told him “many times” that he was indeed “Charles and Camilla's child”. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btt6-uXlNZr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Btt6-uXlNZr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Royal Life Europe 👑 (@royal_life_europe)</a> on Feb 10, 2019 at 2:10pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I know it sounds unbelievable, but anything I say is checkable... I’m simply a man looking for my biological parents, and every road has led me back to Camilla and Charles,” he said.</p> <p>Mr Dorante was born in Gosport, Hampshire in April 1966 and was adopted when he was 18-months-old by Winifred and Ernest. </p> <p>If Simon’s odd allegations are actually true, it means he would have been conceived in 1965, when Charles and Camilla were just 17 and 18.</p> <p>He claims his “compelling” evidence is his Windsor-like cheekbones and teeth, as well as his “Camilla-style hair”.</p> <p>The Brit also says he has compelling evidence proving his claim but said online: “As things are all part of the court case at the moment I can't discuss much further.”’</p> <p>Simon now resiudes in Queensland and has spoken many times about his belief that he was adopted out by an 18-year-old Camilla Shand – a claim his adoptive grandparents also allegedly support.</p> <p>“My grandmother, who worked for the Queen, told me outright that I was Camilla and Charles' son many times,” he explained to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newidea.com.au/princes-charles-camilla-secret-son-exposed-paternity-case" target="_blank">New Idea</a>.</p> <p>His wife Elvianna said: “We believe that Camilla fell pregnant to Charles and that Camilla, with the help of her family and the royals, kept Simon until he was 18 months old.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgyXvvF6x5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtgyXvvF6x5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Royal Life Europe 👑 (@royal_life_europe)</a> on Feb 5, 2019 at 11:44am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 53-year-old filed papers to the High Court just before Christmas, claiming his story is the “most explosive” thing to happen to the palace. </p> <p>“It's definitely the most significant step I've taken so far – I've had to force a deadline, hold them to a date, because we need answers,” he said. </p> <p>In the wake of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announcing they were stepping down from their senior royal positions, Mr Dorante-Day is adamant his case would have come up during crisis talks at Sandringham Estate. </p> <p>“While the whole world was thinking they were talking about Harry, we believe this legal battle would've also been on the agenda and discussed,” he said. </p> <p>Simon, who goes by “Prince Simon Charles” on social media, regularly posts updates on Facebook of his bid to be recognised by royal family members.</p>

Family & Pets

Duchess Camilla transformed Prince Charles “for the better” royal expert claims

<p>A British royal biographer has revealed how Duchess Camilla has “snapped” her husband Prince Charles into a completely different person.</p> <p>Penny Junor, 70, described the royal couple who just recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary in April as having “a great sense of humor and fun”.</p> <p>She explained that while the Prince of Wales was once formerly considered as a “sullen type” whp was always “in waiting,” the Duchess of Cornwall changed her husband into a “confident” future king.</p> <p>Penny said to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/" target="_blank">Hello magazine</a></em>: “I've seen a huge change in Charles over these past years. He used to be quite a morose character; he was very serious and didn't laugh a lot. </p> <p>“Camilla snapped him out of that and she has completely transformed him.</p> <p>“He is a much happier man and has so much more confidence these days. It's wonderful to see”. </p> <p>The couple first stepped out in public “officially” just before midnight on January 28 1999.</p> <p>They were photographed together in front of London’s Ritz Hotel as they left a 50th birthday party for Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot.</p> <p>The now-Duchess of Cornwall and the future king went on to marry in 2005, but in 1997, following the death of Charles’ ex-wife, Princess Diana, Camilla purposefully stayed away from the prying eyes of the public and media.</p> <p>The couple have indeed come a long way since their relationship kicked off with a highly controversial beginning.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall throughout the years.</p>

International Travel

Royal New Zealand tour for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla begins

<p>Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla have been warmly welcomed to New Zealand for the first day of their official Royal tour with a traditional Māori greeting known as a “hongi”.</p> <p>The couple touched down in Auckland on Sunday before throwing themselves into a full day of engagements on Monday morning. </p> <p>They both attended the Queen’s Colour Ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Whenuapai Airbase, where they learnt about the traditional Māori welcome, which is known as Pōwhiri. </p> <p>It is a ritual that was experienced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, not too long ago, when they arrived in Wellington, New Zealand for their tour in October. </p> <p>Following the ceremony, the Duke of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall did not let bad weather stop them from attending The Queen’s Colour, the highest honour a sovereign can bestow. </p> <p>During the 1953-54 royal tour of New Zealand, Queen Elizabeth II presented her Colour to the RNZAF. </p> <p>The presentation was made at the same air base on December 28, 1953. </p> <p>As the Colour is now worn, a replacement has been received and was formally presented to the Duke and Duchess. </p> <p>Earlier in the day, the royal couple had the opportunity to sample some of the area’s finest wine while visiting the Hunting Lodge - a site where the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes were grown in New Zealand. </p> <p>While doing this, they also learnt of the lodge’s “Paddock to Table” approach, which aims to produce as much food onsite as possible. </p> <p>The lodge also strives to source additional products purely from local businesses and resources. </p> <p>Farmer Richard Kidd, who provides lamb grown at Kaipara Farms, spoke to the Prince of Wales. </p> <p>"We spoke about the lamb and I thanked him for being an advocate of wool, which is down on price at the moment," Kidd said. </p> <p>"However, the price of lamb is doing very well."</p> <p>Prince Charles has spoken up about the importance of sustainability and waste reduction in the last decade, and on Monday got to visit Critical Design, a company using innovative technology to turn plastic waste into reusable materials that will manufacture other products.</p> <p>Tuesday is just as busy for the Prince and Duchess, who will be meeting Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner, Clark Gayford.</p> <p>The royal couple is in New Zealand for an eight-day tour, their first to the country since 2015.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scroll through the gallery to see the royal couple on Day 1 of their New Zealand tour. </span></p>

International Travel

Duchess Camilla celebrates her 72nd birthday – and meets donkeys William and Harry!

<p>The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles, celebrated her 72nd birthday at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon yesterday.</p> <p>She was there with her husband, Prince Charles, and they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Donkey Sanctuary, which gives lifelong care to over 6,000 donkeys and mules.</p> <p>As the visit coincided with her birthday, July 17, the sanctuary gave her a present and invited the Duchess of Cornwall to name the sanctuary’s new foal, who is just three weeks old.</p> <p>She decided on the name Sweatpea.</p> <p>The Duchess of Cornwall was welcomed by an entire herd of donkeys and mules upon the royals' arrival to the sanctuary and were greeted by a pair of donkeys called William and Harry.</p> <p>After visiting the Donkey Sanctuary, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles headed to the UK National Park’s Big Picnic celebration in Exmoor National Park.</p> <p>The event was marking 70 years of UK National Parks and at the end of the visit, the guests sang “Happy Birthday” to the Duchess of Cornwall. She was presented with a towering Exmoor-themed cake.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Duchess of Cornwall's birthday adventures.</p>

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