Is Uncle Gary the ultimate royal decoy?
As he's evicted from Celebrity Big Brother we posit our own conspiracy theory
He lasted just four nights in the Celebrity Big Brother house, when on Friday the Princess of Wales’s uncle Gary Goldsmith was the first person to be evicted. Saying he had “the best time” but was “out of his comfort zone”, Gary was reunited with fourth wife Julie-Ann and daughter, Tallulah. Funnily enough, his big sister Carole Middleton was not in the CBB studio. With palace aides probably whooping that his time on the show has ended, Kerry reckons they may actually have a lot to thank him for. Here’s an extract from her Sunday Telegraph column…
It’s either a masterful distraction, or a series of unfortunate events. Either way, Lemony Snicket would approve of this week’s royal plot twist. Reportedly read the riot act by Carole before appearing on the UK reality show, the Middleton’s bad uncle, or “buncle” as he calls himself, regaled his housemates with stories about his relations.
“It is infuriating for them. Kate doesn’t need this stress,” a source told The Sun. Certainly, Gary didn’t seem willing to gab too much, although he said Prince Harry, “threw his family under a bus”. However, as grating as he must have been to Catherine, who he said was probably watching from “behind a sofa”, you could argue he’s been the ultimate deflection from what can only be described as collective online insanity over where the Princess of Wales is.
When asked where she is, by a house-mate, Gary answered, “She doesn’t want to talk about… the last thing I’m going to do is… there’s a kind of code of etiquette. If it’s announced, I’ll give you an opinion. I spoke to her mum, my sister, she’s getting the best care in the world.”
Was Gary in the house because he’s a multi-millionaire mischief-maker or, was it a black ops manoeuvre to take the heat off Catherine? PR experts call this sort of thing a “covert distraction”. The truth is always much more mundane – but, oh, wouldn’t it be fantastic if it was true.
Kate ‘sighted’ for the first time since surgery
Maybe one upside of the Princess being papped this week is that the online fantasists will calm down. Or maybe not. The photos are all over the internet, with conspiracy theorists speculating wildly over every detail. But don’t expect to see the pictures here or anywhere else in the UK press.
While Catherine is still recovering from her major op, she was snapped by a paparazzi (at very long range), as she was being driven by her mum near Windsor Castle. The images of the Princess, who was wearing sunglasses, were first published on TMZ, a US celeb news website.
The photographs were not authorised by Kensington Palace, which has always highlighted the Princess’s wish for privacy. Something which the UK press respects and takes very seriously, alongside adhering to strict legal and ethical codes. In contrast to the dark days of the 1990s and the repercussions of Diana’s shocking death, the media landscape today means unsolicited pap images of the royals off duty rarely appear in the UK press. In the meantime, let’s wait to hear from the Princess of Wales when she is good and ready to face the world on her own terms.
Happy 60th Edward
The Duke of Edinburgh hits a big milestone today, as he celebrates his 60th birthday. When he was born on March 10, 1964, he was the only child his father, Prince Philip, witnessed the birth of, after the Queen insisted he be by her side. In typical form he kicked things off with a joke, saying, as he walked into the Belgian Suite in Buckingham Palace, “It’s a solemn thought that only a week ago, General de Gaulle was having a bath in this room.”
Edward went to Gordonstoun, like his brothers, followed by Cambridge University, to study history. He spent time in the Royal Marines, leaving (amidst many headlines) to work in theatre, eventually starting his own company, Ardent Productions.
He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 and despite both navigating some rocky periods in the press, the pair have become one of the Royal Family’s most sensible, trusted members. They have been out and about this week, including Edward helping an 11-year-old in her sparring session at a gym in Stafford. Sophie gave a heartfelt speech about her love for her husband, calling him, “the best of fathers, the most loving of husbands and still … my best friend”.
Anne recycles in Dubai
Talking of a trusted pair of hands, the Princess Royal travelled to Dubai to undertake engagements. She visited the Queen Elizabeth 2 floating hotel and for the occasion, the 73-year-old packed a blue pleated shirt-dress she first wore, in, wait for it, 1978. She’s worn the dress many times through the years, as the ultimate vintage-fashion devotee. In fact, her practical approach to clothes earned her an accolade from Silvia Venturini Fendi recently, who called her, “an anti-fashion person” who is, “the most elegant woman in the world”.
The Sussexes successful week
Prince Harry has been nominated for two awards, for his memoir Spare. The British Book Awards has shortlisted it for Book of the Year, for Non-Fiction Narrative and Audiobook Non-Fiction.
Meghan was also making her own way this week, announcing a project with Geena Davis and Moms First, to raise awareness how mothers are portrayed on-screen. “My past experience as an actress, and now today as a producer and mother, have amplified my belief in the critical importance of supporting women and moms both behind the lens and in front of it,” she said in a statement.
She also spoke at the SXSW festival in Texas on Friday, explaining how she was cyber bullied when pregnant with Archie and Lilibet, saying it’s not catty, but cruel. According to The Telegraph, the duo have also appointed a UK PR to handle a mystery project.
Read more from The Royal List writers
From the UK to Australia, Maria and Kerry love researching and writing royal features for top-selling brands, which is why we are thrilled to have several articles in the latest issue of Woman’s Weekly ROYALS. On sale now in all good UK supermarkets and newsagents, or order a copy here.