New Idea 15 May 2017

Since I’ve been at New Idea, we’ve worked through the night to bring you some amazing historic royal moments with pride. I remember Wills and Kate’s engagement, their wedding and the births of both babies as massive events that were a pleasure to write about. That’s why when we heard there was due to be a royal announcement last Thursday, the adrenalin kicked in and we waited with bated breath. When we heard Prince Philip was stepping down from all royal duties at the end of August, our thoughts immediately turned to the Queen – his wife of nearly 70 years – and the close partnership they have enjoyed as they attended so many public events together. Philip is a real character and such an inspiration to the younger royals. As he enters…

‘There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when she finished speaking – it was an emotional time for the Queen and Prince Philip’ The Queen has made an emotional and moving tribute to her husband of nearly 70 years, thanking her darling Prince for his years of love, support and service. Fighting back tears, Her Majesty spoke of her ‘deep affection and gratitude’ towards His Royal Highness Prince Philip as news broke of his historic retirement from royal duties ahead of his 96th birthday. Last week, the palace announced that the Duke of Edinburgh would be stepping down as of August – prompting the Queen’s touching reaction. ‘When Her Majesty announced that His Royal Highness would be stepping down from all royal duty, she was clearly emotional,’ a palace source tells New Idea. ‘In…

‘We are truly blessed to have had his service for so many wonderful years’ Eccentric, sometimes controversial but always dutiful, Prince Philip has been the Queen’s ‘rock’ for almost 70 years, since their breathtaking wedding at Westminster Abbey. It was always a love match – and at a function to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1997, the very private monarch paid a public tribute to the man who wooed and won her hand in marriage so many years ago. ‘He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments,’ she said in her customary, crystalclear tones. ‘He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall…

‘I don’t think the Queen could have done her job without him’ It has been a 78-year love affair with humour at its heart. Like so many long and successful marriages, the Queen and Prince Philip have built their relationship on foundations of friendship and laughter. Philip has been her ‘rock,’ the man who made her giggle at formal events and helped her to relax when off duty. Celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary in November, the duo’s love story is considered a fairytale come true around the globe. The couple, both great-greatgrandchildren of Queen Victoria and therefore cousins, first met in 1934 at a family wedding when Elizabeth was eight. But the dashing Greek prince really captured her heart in 1939 on a visit with her parents to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth when…

HIS PRIVATE PAIN A fight to the bitter end ... ANGE’S DIVORCE RULES FOR BRAD Here’s a breakdown of the shocking list of divorce conditions that Ange has enforced on Brad if he wants to keep seeing his kids... 1. No public dating for five years after the divorce is finalised. 2. Any interviews or comments to the media have to be positive about her. 3. Continue therapy and go to AA. 4. Sell all his properties and give the money to their kids. 5. Stop his powerful friends from blacklisting her. Brad Pitt has opened up in a shocking interview since his divorce from Angelina Jolie – with the 53-year-old actor blaming the split on his excessive drinking, saying he ‘hit the lottery’ but threw it all away. But while the astonishing admissions of guilt have raised eyebrows all…

When Bec talks about baby Zach, the strong mum’s face can only muster a small, brave smile. She fondly remembers her beloved firstborn, who passed away nearly 15 years ago, 27 weeks into her pregnancy. ‘He’s with me every single day,’ she tells. ‘There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him, what he would be doing. We still talk about Zach and go and see him on his birthday. We [have] a cake and we let some balloons go.’ The account manager says she’s keen to share her story in the hope she can help other mums realise there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. ‘It happens – it’s very common,’ she says. But 39- year-old Bec admits that the birth of her younger children –…