2025-09-06 06:00:30.145

LONDON (AP) — The Duchess of Kent, who famously broke royal protocol to hug a Wimbledon runner-up and stepped away from family duties to teach music in a public school, has died, Buckingham Palace announced Friday. She was 92. Born Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley, the duchess was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. She died Thursday at her home in Kensington Palace. The royal presented trophies at Wimbledon for many years and was known for consoling runners-up, most notably when she embraced a tearful Jana Novotna after the Czech tennis player’s defeat by Steffi Graf in 1993. The duchess, who preferred to be known as Mrs. Kent, stepped back from royal life to teach music for more than a decade at a public school in northeast England. The pianist, organist and singer founded the charity Future Talent to break down barriers for young musicians and provide them with instruments. “She brought compassion, dignity and a human touch to everything she did,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who extended his condolences. “When it was discovered she had been giving her time and working anonymously as a music teacher at a school in Hull, it seemed typical of her unassuming nature.” She was the first royal to convert to Catholicism in over three centuries and volunteered for the suicide-prevention group Samaritans. King Charles III and the rest of the royal family said in a statement that they mourned the loss and fondly remembered “the Duchess’s lifelong devotion to all the organizations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.” The flag was lowered to half-staff at Buckingham Palace at noon to pay respect to the duchess. The duchess was born on Feb. 22, 1933 as the only daughter to aristocrat Col. Sir William Worsley, a baronet, and Lady Worsley of Hovingham Hall, near York. She married Edward, King George V’s grandson, in a lavish 1961 ceremony. She leaves Edward and three children, George, Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Windsor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

2025-04-08 12:14:50.364

Meghan Markle candidly discussed her postpartum preeclampsia experience in the first episode of her new podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder." She detailed the "scary" health condition and the challenges of balancing public life and motherhood. Her friend and Bumble founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, also shared her own postpartum experiences. The podcast's launch follows the end of Markle's Spotify deal and a new partnership with Lemonada Media. The episode also featured Markle discussing her work-life balance while building her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and the importance of family time. Meanwhile, Prince Harry arrived in London to appeal for publicly funded security for his family.

2025-03-19 06:02:42.455

Court documents and transcripts in the legal battle over Prince Harry's U.S. immigration were released, but heavily redacted. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withheld Harry's immigration records entirely, citing potential "harm and harassment." The Heritage Foundation, which requested the documents, alleges Harry concealed past drug use as admitted in his memoir, "Spare." They claim this warrants investigation into whether he received preferential treatment. The DHS countered that the Heritage Foundation hadn't demonstrated public interest outweighing Harry's right to privacy and that he received no special treatment. While admitting past drug use on a visa application can lead to rejection, the final decision rests on various factors. Lying on the application carries severe consequences, including a lifetime ban from the U.S. President Trump commented on the situation, stating he wouldn't deport Harry.