Table of contents for 32-2019 in Best

From the very early stages of their partnership, it was clear that Harry and Meghan would be a Royal couple with a difference – and an agenda. But now, one Royal expert has warned that their determination to control their own destiny, while still making their opinions known, is leading to ‘disaster’. The latest headline-grabber is Meghan’s stint as guest editor on glitzy fashion bible Vogue. Her September issue has Forces For Change as the cover slogan, with pictures of 15 women chosen by the Duchess for their ‘influence’ – plus a mirror, so that the reader can look at their own reflection and take inspiration. Meghan does not appear on the cover herself, as she is said to have considered it ‘boastful’, according to Vogue editor Edward Enninful. The…

It’s a month until our fresh batch of celebrities kick off this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, but everyone’s already talking about it – and it’s nothing to do with the dancing. We all know about the sexual undercurrents on Strictly. We’ve seen just about everything go on, from outrageous flirting and illicit snogs to full-blown affairs, plus dancers leaving their other halves to embark on relationships with their celebrity partners – all of which back up the ‘Strictly love curse’ rumours. Until last week, what we hadn’t encountered yet was a Strictly sex tape. But a former female star’s recorded antics have, reportedly, been unearthed and widely circulated online. Reports say the mystery female – who is NOT a past or present Strictly judge – was fully aware…

Waist away Wrap and tie waist styles are a great way to show off an hour-glass shape. Marvellous midi Team a mid-length dress with trainers now and a pair of boots when autumn arrives. Tight fit Flatter your curves with a body-con dress. Full and fabulous Flirty and fun to wear! A full skirt dress is perfect for special occasions.…

HOW IT WORKS Normal inflammation protects your body from infections but, lately, a new type of inflammation has been discovered. This is a lingering inflammation, often described as a fire smouldering in the body, causing all sorts of health problems – including hampering your ability to lose weight. Inflammation causes us to produce more of the fat-storing hormone insulin and the appetite-boosting one leptin, and it slows metabolism. It also makes us tired – which makes it harder to summon the enthusiasm to exercise. Lastly, your body also tries to dilute inflammation with excess fluid. Start to get it under control and you could quickly lose pounds in water weight alone. And, as excess weight also causes inflammation – every pound you lose sees your levels falling faster making weight…

1 You have darker underarms CORRECT DISCOLORATION WITH MILK Vitamin- and fatty acid-rich milk helps to minimise darkening of your skin. Douse a cotton ball in the liquid before swiping on the area. Leave for 15 mins, then rinse. Repeat daily for four weeks. 2 You want a fresh complexion WASH WITH ALMONDS That radiant look is the Holy Grail, and almonds are packed with good fats to nourish the skin. Grind some into a powder and mix with a tiny amount of water to form a paste. Use as a cleanser before rinsing thoroughly. 3 You suffer from a flaky scalp EXFOLIATE WITH BROWN SUGAR The scalp is a delicate area, so a gentle granule that won’t aggravate is best. Mix 3tbsp brown sugar with 1tbsp olive oil and massage…

Strawberry Coke & froyo float Double up on sumnner fruit flavour with this chilled-out twist on an american favourite SERVES 6 READY IN 5 MINS PRICE PER SERVING 45p 1 Divide 750ml Diet Coke Twisted Strawberry, chilled, and a handful of ice cubes between 6 tall glasses. 2 Divide 500ml Asda Strawberry Frozen Yogurt into 6 scoops and add 1 scoop to each glass carefully, so it floats on top of the cola. Decorate with cocktail umbrellas and paper straws, then serve immediately. Pork gyros. Pronounced 'yee-ros', these Greek-inspired wraps are stuffed with tender pork loin, potatoes, salad and a herby tzatziki dressing SERVES 6 READY IN 1 HR, PLUS MARINATING PRICE PER SERVING £1.48 1 in a nonmetallic bowl, whisk together ltbsp extra virgin olive oil, zest and juice…

The Knife Angel, made of 100,000 weapons, is a striking tribute to the victims of knife crime – and an acknowledgement of the serious issue that faces our society. Standing at 26ft and taking two years to build, creator Alfie Bradley used knives that police donated, which had actually been used in violent crimes, and those given by the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire, which initiated amnesty programme ‘Save A Life, Surrender Your Knife’.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT We boarded our ferry at Portsmouth and travelled overnight to Brittany (a great way to avoid wasting precious holiday time!), arriving at picturesque St Malo by breakfast time. After hiring a car, we headed for pretty Saint-Brevin-Les-Pins, on the Côte de Jade (Jade Coast), where the legendary Loire river meets the Atlantic. The resort Sunêlia Le Fief is in St Brevin and just a walk or bike ride away from the pretty town centre. We stayed in one of its newest two-bed wooden chalets, with outside seating, decking and double shower rooms. For the full camping experience, there are also caravans and tents of all sizes. The true highlight has to be the Aquatic water slide and heated pools, open from April to September. On site, Le Spa…

1 UN-BEARABLY HOT! In the recent heatwave, all we wanted to do was chill out in a pool – and that’s exactly what this gorgeous brown bear is doing! He looks anything but grizzly as he takes a leisurely soak. We’re extremely jealous. Check out loads more cute animals chilling out on p56. 2 Who wowed the crowd? Want to make a celebrity fashion statement? Be bold in orange! GMB weather presenter Laura Tobin, 37, presented a sunny outlook in her floral tea dress, while Chrissy Teigen, 33, opted for a structured-cape-effect style. Yasmin Le Bon, 54, dared to wear a ruffled, cropped jumpsuit. 3 BEACH BUM The GC really knows how to live her best life, doesn’t she?! Here she’s having a blast on a jet ski while on…

Q My chest is looking patchy, wrinkly and leathery. How do I revive or disguise it?Rose, Brighton A DR AAMER SAYS: The skin covering the chest is thin, making it vulnerable to ageing. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can help to erase discolouration, sun damage and broken capillaries. IPL is ‘fired’ at the area to stimulate regeneration of the cells – it feels like an elastic band pinged against the skin. There is little downtime, though skin may be red for a few hours. From £100 per treatment. Use SPF 30 afterwards to protect new skin. It’s best to have IPL after summer is over, as unprotected treated areas can become darker if exposed to UV light. Sculptra, a collagen stimulator, can also help to smooth out wrinkles. You may need…

A recent snap on her Instagram account seems to suggest that actress Sheridan Smith and her fiancé, Jamie Horn, have gone and got married in secret! The loved-up selfie, in which his-and-hers ‘wedding rings’ were clearly on display, instantly got fans’ tongues wagging. Bemused comments under the pic included, ‘When and where did you get married?’ and ‘DING dong!! The bells are gonna chime.’ It’s not the first time Sheridan, 38, and her insurance broker fiancé have sparked marriage rumours, though. Maybe they just enjoy teasing all their followers? Last November, Jamie was spotted wearing a wedding band, but he and Sheridan wouldn’t confirm or deny whether they had secretly wed. And back in April, Sheridan posted a snap of the lovebirds on Twitter with the caption, ‘Bank holiday pouting…

TERRIFIED FOR MY SON My 20-year-old son recently joined the Army. I am unbelievably proud but, as a mother, I feel worried sick every day. How do I go about my day-to-day life without being plagued by negative thoughts and anxiety about his risky job? A close friend of mine has boys who are also in the Army, and I’ve heard such horror stories. I can’t help but imagine worst-case scenarios and wonder what the future holds. Do I need to see someone? Louise, Norwich It certainly wouldn’t do you any harm to talk through your feelings with a counsellor or therapist. We are all prone to sinister thoughts and disaster fantasies but yours, fuelled by your son’s decision to join the military, have started to cloud your everyday life.…

TOP TIP The hub of the home works best when clutter-free and organised.…

Gemma Collins, 38, alias The GC, comes from Essex (where else?). She shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex and has now become a Meme Queen, known for her larger-than-life attitude. Tell us about Diva Forever… I had lots of offers [of TV work] after Dancing On Ice, but I will never forget where I first started. When the producers of TOWIE suggested Diva Forever, I thought it was a great idea. It’s all about my life now. I’ve let the cameras follow me everywhere. Will we be seeing The GC or the real Gemma? Oh, it’s The GC! Everywhere I go, people want The GC. There is only one GC – she is a global icon. But I can’t be The GC in front of my family.…

Fancy treating yourself? Whether it’s your wardrobe or your home, Primark is packed with gorgeous seasonal must-haves at brilliant prices. From holiday clothing to outdoor entertaining, Primark has you covered. Ten lucky readers can win themselves a £50 Primark gift card. To find out how to enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3219 POST: Send a postcard with your name, address and contact number to Best/Primark giveaway, GVBSTL19601, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT by 23 August 2019. PHONE: Call 09010272731 by midnight on 23 August 2019. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Calls from mobiles may be higher. Phone line closes at midnight on…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Which super-duper mega star will celebrate their 61st-birthday next week? (7). This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0922 (UK 65ppm)†/1550 787027 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN19602 ACROSS 7 What is the name for the breathing tube used for swimming at the surface with the face down? (7) 9 The PEN IT is incapable! (5) 10 ANAGRAM NOPAR 11 Dilemma (7) 12 Quarrel, argue (3) 13 Someone who has been shipwrecked onto a desert island, eg (8) 16 Person responsible for the financial side of making a film (8) 17 Monkey ___, monkey do, expression (3) 19 What word can be preceded by espresso and porn star…

Last week, Susannah Constantine, 57, – who found fame presenting TV makeover programme What Not To Wear with Trinny Woodall – revealed the dark places her crippling anxiety has taken her in the past. ‘There was certainly a period in my life where I’d wake up, take the children to school and… pray that my car would be hit by a lorry or something, so that I could put an end to it all…’ she confessed shockingly on ITV’s This Morning. ‘It was just a thought that flashed through my mind, but it was… something to take the pain away, and then it would go.’ The mum-of-three (Susannah has Joe, 19, Esme, 17, and Cece, 15, with Danish husband Sten Bertelsen) admitted her anxiety began as a child at boarding…

TOP TIP Top to toe white is easier than you think! The key is to keep the top loose and floaty, for a cool and comfortable way to pull off this trend. TOP TIP White jeans look much smarter than traditional denim. Team with natural and nude for a match made in fashion heaven! TOP TIP For a fresh way to wear classic jeans, layer a long dress or tunic over the top.…

It all started with my wedding, when I wore yellow ballet pumps and yellow feathers around my wrist. It was my husband-to-be Dean’s idea to make the bright colour the theme for our big day. Although I was so excited to be tying the knot with the man of my dreams, there was one person missing from our big day. My dad, Terry. I wished more than anything he could’ve been there to see me get married, but Dad passed away when I was just two months old, after battling cancer. Dean suggested including yellow as a tribute, as it had been Dad’s favourite colour. From the photos I’d seen and the stories Mum had told me, I knew Dad had been sunshine personified. I thought Dean’s idea was brilliant.…

An indecent proposal? When the picture emerged of a boyfriend proposing to his girlfriend as she graduated, the reaction was mixed to say the least. Some people thought 27-year-old Edgaras Averbuchas’s public declaration of love to Agne Banuskeviciute, 25, as she was handed her celebratory scroll at the University of Essex was the ultimate romantic gesture. But others believed he’d stolen her thunder and hijacked her big moment. Some went further still, saying it was controlling as it gave her little choice but to accept it. Agne, originally from Lithuania, defended her fiancé’s actions, saying, ‘I think that this day became even more beautiful with this proposal.’ What do you think? Should he have kept quiet and let Agne enjoy her graduation alone? Or was he right to add to…

‘I’ve been saying it for years, but now a newspaper has found out for sure that “smart” home devices are listening and recording everything you say and do. Don’t believe me? When confronted, the organisations responsible – Amazon, Google and Apple – certainly didn’t deny it, but they all shamelessly tried to justify what they were doing. A few examples, “We only annotate an extremely small sample” and “Staff listen to a proportion of the recordings in order to monitor and improve the system”. Of course, they all said they “take the security and privacy of our customers personal information seriously” and were only doing it to “improve the customer experience”. Amazon added that staff listening in cannot identify customers and are bound by confidentiality rules. So that’s all right…

BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS TO CHLOE SIMS Chloe Sims made her name as one of the original cast members on The Only Way Is Essex. As a single mum to 14-year-old daughter Maddison, Chloe opens up about her relationship with Maddie’s father and why she is now looking for love following her split from TOWIE’s Dan Edgar, 28. This month Chloe, 36, returns for another shot at romance on the new series of Celebs Go Dating alongside her sister Demi and former Love Island star Megan Barton Hanson. You are back on Celebs Go Dating for the second time – are you hoping for better luck this time? Well, I didn’t have that much bad luck, I just didn’t fall in love with the guy I met. He was lovely, but…

… their upcoming joint project, Keith & Paddy’s MovieFest Live KEITH It’s an outdoor cinematic experience-come-Dirty Dancing extravaganza. It was my mum’s idea – she said, ‘Why don’t you show Dirty Dancing outdoors, get Paddy along and have a massive party?’ I said, ‘Let’s do Knebworth,’ and Paddy said, ‘Let’s do Tatton Park, as it’s near my house.’ So we’re doing both! We’ve got inflatable watermelons, live backing dancers, special guests – it’s going to be awesome. … the perennial appeal of Dirty Dancing PADDY It’s packed with fantastic music, and it’s just a great movie. People may say it’s a chick flick, but we like it, and we’re men! I think a lot of blokes secretly end up loving it. … doing ‘The Lift’ PADDY We know we can…

To say the numbers are shocking is an understatement. Just last year, 285 people were fatally stabbed in England and Wales* – the highest number since records began. Every day, the Metropolitan Police deals with an average of 40 blade-related offences. Although you’re twice as likely to be stabbed in the capital than anywhere else in the country, in South Yorkshire, 104 kids were charged with knife offences – a 50 per cent increase in three years. And behind these numbers are names. Innocent people who have been murdered, shattered families left behind, young gang members whose futures will forever be blighted by their crimes. It’s no wonder, then, that in his new series, Ross Kemp Living With…, actor-turned-investigative journalist Ross Kemp is examining knife crime, describing the increase as…

LEO 24 July – 23 August Leos like Charlize Theron will be taking on new commitments and there’s a tremendous amount to achieve in a short amount of time. That’s why they will be spending a lot of their energy, over the month ahead, behind the scenes. Known for a fiery temper, remember to cool down first when handling disagreements. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Someone could do with a helping hand. Nothing in their behaviour makes it look like they’re struggling but they are, and they’re too shy to admit it. Once you realise this, you will do what you can to lessen their burdens and they’ll be grateful for it. You’re guaranteed to have a great time at a celebration. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February Don’t…