Prince Albert of Monaco blasts Prince Harry over bombshell Oprah interview


Prince Albert II of Monaco has criticised Harry and Meghan’s tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview as inappropriate, saying their decision ‘bothered’ him and they should have discussed their grievances with the Royal Family privately.

The European ruler, who is a distant cousin of the Queen and whose mother was actress Grace Kelly, said he understood the pressures the Sussexes were under.

But he slammed their choice to air their issues to tens of millions of people on TV saying such a ‘public display of dissatisfaction… wasn’t appropriate’ and their decision to lay bare painful family rifts ‘bothered him’.  

‘It’s very difficult to be in someone’s place. I can understand the pressures that they were under’, he told BBC World News.

‘But I think that this type of public display of dissatisfaction, to say the least, these types of conversations should be held within the intimate quarters of the family, and it doesn’t really have to be laid out in the public sphere like that. So, it did bother me a little bit.

‘I can understand where they are coming from in a certain way, but I think it wasn’t the appropriate forum to be able to have these kinds of discussions.’

Prince Albert II of Monaco has criticised Harry and Meghan's tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview as inappropriate

Prince Albert II of Monaco has criticised Harry and Meghan’s tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview as inappropriate

The European ruler told BBC World News he wasn't impressed by the couple's decision to go public

The European ruler told BBC World News he wasn’t impressed by the couple’s decision to go public

The Royal Family is still trying to pick up the pieces from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes¿ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey

The Royal Family is still trying to pick up the pieces from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey

He also wished Harry well in his new life in California, but there was a hint that it would be tough without the support of his family in Britain.

Prince Harry landed work in US after being given special visa for people with ‘extraordinary ability’, experts claim 

Prince Harry could be working in the US on a visa designed for people with ‘extraordinary ability’, experts said yesterday.

Canadian singer Justin Bieber and Australian actor Hugh Jackman have used the O-1 visa which lasts up to three years. 

The Duke of Sussex, 36, now has two jobs and TV and radio projects in the US, prompting many to question how he obtained a visa. 

As a British citizen, Harry was not automatically entitled to seek employment after moving to California last year with American wife Meghan, 39.

He could have applied for a green card, but this comes with significant income tax implications and can take up to 21 months to process. 

The O-1 visa website says it is for ‘an individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognised nationally or internationally’.

Harry’s work with Invictus Games for injured servicemen could potentially qualify him. 

And his recent interview with Oprah Winfrey certainly earned millions for the TV industry. 

O-1 visa approval can take just weeks and finding a US citizen to serve as a referee would not have been a problem – Harry’s friends include ex-President Barack Obama.

Immigration expert Doug Lightman, of Lightman Law in New York, said: ‘Harry would have no problem getting the O-1 because he’s a prince. 

‘He’s travelled all over the world… and there is his work with Invictus. It’s going to be enough to qualify him.’ 

But it is not yet known which visa Harry is on.

His representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, he hit the ground running in his new job yesterday by posting a motivational quote on the Instagram account of BetterUp, the life coaching firm he has joined as ‘chief impact officer’. 

He wrote: ‘Self-optimisation is not about fixing something that’s broken. It’s about becoming the best version of ourselves with whatever life throws at us.’ 

 

He said: ‘I wish him the best. It’s a difficult world there and I hope that he can have the judgement and wisdom to make the right choices.’  

The Royal Family is still trying to pick up the pieces from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which they made a series of damaging allegations.

This included Harry and Meghan’s explosive racism allegations, in which they claimed a family member asked how dark their son Archie’s skin might be.

In a statement Buckingham Palace insisted it took the couple’s claims – particularly on race – ‘very seriously’, but pointedly added that ‘recollections may vary’, suggesting some allegations are disputed.

Just days after it was broadcast, William, 38, angrily hit back at their claims the Royal Family is racist.

Asked about the allegation during an engagement, William retorted: ‘We’re very much not a racist family.’

It has now been reported that he was left ‘reeling’ in the immediate aftermath of the programme, with a source close to the duke telling the Sunday Times: ‘His head is all over the place on it.’

Harry’s claims that William and his father Prince Charles were ‘trapped’ in their Royal roles were also ‘way off the mark’, friends said, with a source insisting that William does not see it that way.

‘He has a path set for him and he’s completely accepting of his role. He is very much his grandmother’s grandson in that respect of duty and service,’ the source said.

The relationship between the two brothers, who were once so close, has been strained for some time now and appears to have only got worse following the interview.

But according to the newspaper it was William who initially tried to smooth things over, playing peacekeeper in the tense run up to Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding.

Prince Albert’s intervention came as Harry added another job to his ever-growing portfolio, working as a ‘commissioner on disinformation’ to fight so-called fake news.

Just 24 hours after announcing he had been appointed as ‘chief impact officer’ for an online life coaching company, it was revealed the sixth in line to the throne has also been recruited to a left-wing think tank undertaking a new study into ‘information disorder’, funded by a controversial billionaire.

He is one of 15 commissioners and three co-chairs who will conduct a six-month study into what has been described as the digital ‘avalanche of misinformation’ on behalf of the Aspen Institute.

But the Sussexes, who have signed multi-million dollar deals with streaming giants Netflix and Spotify, have themselves been accused of misinformation in their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey later this month.

This included the claim by Meghan that they were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before their official wedding in their ‘backyard’ at Kensington Palace.

This subsequently proved to be false and this week the couple’s own spokesman admitted that they had only exchanged personal vows.

The Duke of Sussex was unveiled on Tuesday morning as the chief impact officer at BetterUp with this corporate black and white photograph of Harry released at the same time

The Duke of Sussex has been appointed 'chief impact officer' at mental health services business BetterUp by CEO Alexi Robichaux, where he will help promote an app used by corporate giants including Hilton, Facebook and oil firm Chevron to improve the wellbeing of their staff.

The Duke of Sussex has been appointed ‘chief impact officer’ at mental health services business BetterUp by CEO Alexi Robichaux (right today), where he will help promote an app used by corporate giants including Hilton, Facebook and oil firm Chevron to improve the wellbeing of their staff.

48 hours later he announced he was joining Aspen Institute's new Commission on Information Disorder

48 hours later he announced he was joining Aspen Institute’s new Commission on Information Disorder

Viacom CBS, who made the interview with Miss Winfrey, has also been accused of deliberately editing UK newspaper headlines to try and support the couple’s disputed claims about racist press coverage.

Harry and Meghan, 39, insisted that they would do nothing to dishonour or embarrass the Queen when they quit as senior working royals and would not openly trade on their royal status.

Prince William (pictured during special message for Comic Relief last week) is still 'very upset' by the interview given by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Prince William (pictured during special message for Comic Relief last week) is still ‘very upset’ by the interview given by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Earlier this week it emerged that Harry, 36, who has no previous corporate experience, has been appointed ‘chief impact officer’ at mental health and life-style coaching business BetterUp.

BetterUp chief executive Alexi Robichaux revealed yesterday that his new royal employee insists on everyone calling him Harry because they are all ‘partners’ in the business.

He has refused to discuss how Harry is being paid, but if he takes equity in the company his stake could be worth millions as the firm has been valued at more than £1 billion.

The Duke will help to promote the BetterUp wellness app, which is used by corporate giants including Hilton, Facebook, confectionery giant Mars and oil firm Chevron to improve the wellbeing of their staff.

He was introduced to the BetterUp co-founder through unnamed mutual friend last year, and after they weighed up ‘four buckets of opportunities’, they agreed to start working together, Mr Robichaux said yesterday.

He said: ‘He’s been in the role for a couple of months, and we’re so excited to share the news with the world. We’re partners here, he likes to be called Harry in the workplace, so we just address him as Harry.’

Mr Robichaux, who likes to quote Einstein and and once gave a presentation on his business to leading scientists and academics while wearing a spacesuit, told Sky News: ‘We were just so impressed, and really I think there was such a natural chemistry and synergy around the insights and the contributions he can make creatively to BetterUp in ensuring that we achieve our mission.

‘Bigger than commercial success, this is about global impact, and so as we crafted the role together, those four buckets of opportunities, we came to the title “chief impact officer”, really denoting that he’s focused on our mission and he’s focused on ensuring that we’re doing everything we can to achieve our mission on a bigger and larger and grander scale to impact the lives of more people.’

He added: ‘He’s also helping to work on everything from product design to product strategy, to co-creating content and the experience for our members and helping with partnerships, like creating some new content for our users related to mental toughness and mental fitness as well.’

Harry will spend time at the firm’s San Francisco office – when Covid-19 allows – where the prince can take part in weekly office yoga sessions, beat a punch bag when he’s frustrated or pet the office dog ‘Gordo’ when he’s concerned about his ‘wellness’. He can also bring his dogs Guy and Pula to work if he likes.

BetterUp also throws regular ‘onesie-fancy dress parties’ for staff, including at Halloween – but if this gets too much for the prince he can relax using some of his five ‘inner work’ days a year.

This is on top of his holiday days – to focus on ‘personalised growth’ by hiking in California, reading books or doing volunteer work.

His new office has sofas to flop on during a hard day and games to play when staff need a break.

EXCLUSIVE: Out with the old! Meghan Markle drops her longtime agent who repped her since Suits and helped plan Megxit as the Duchess hires a new in-house ‘dream team’ to man the Sussexes’ multi-million dollar business ventures

Meghan Markle has parted ways with her ‘dream team’ advisor Nick Collins after he repped her for years, insiders claim.

Collins has been Markle’s agent from her years as an actress on Suits, stuck with her even after she vowed to quit show business when she got engaged to Prince Harry in 2017, and helped her plan ‘Megxit’.

But sources told DailyMail.com that the Duchess is no longer using Collins as her agent, after a giant $100 million Netflix deal, multi-million dollar podcast signing with Spotify and other lucrative business ventures allowed her to hire a new in-house team.

Collins, a partner at leading Tinseltown deal makers The Gersh Agency which represented the former Suits actress for several years, will remain as a ‘consultant’.

There is no bad blood between the two, the sources said.

Meghan Markle has parted ways with her longtime agent Nick Collins who was part of her 'dream team' of advisors for years, DailyMail.com can reveal

Meghan Markle has parted ways with her longtime agent Nick Collins who was part of her 'dream team' of advisors for years, DailyMail.com can reveal

Meghan Markle has parted ways with her longtime agent Nick Collins who was part of her ‘dream team’ of advisors for years, DailyMail.com can reveal. Collins will stay on as a ‘consultant’ 

Collins has been Markle's agent since her years as an actress on Suits and helped her plan 'Megxit'. He stuck with her even after she vowed to quit show business when she got engaged to Prince Harry in 2017. Meghan is pictured on Suits

Collins has been Markle’s agent since her years as an actress on Suits and helped her plan ‘Megxit’. He stuck with her even after she vowed to quit show business when she got engaged to Prince Harry in 2017. Meghan is pictured on Suits 

Collins was one of a handful of American guests at Markle and Prince Harry’s May 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle, and was also named by insiders as a ‘key advisor and independent voice’ for the Sussexes when they planned to leave the UK and build their new careers in California.

A second source said that Collins and the Duchess are still friends, and that she has also kept her entertainment lawyer Rick Genow (pictured)

A second source said that Collins and the Duchess are still friends, and that she has also kept her entertainment lawyer Rick Genow (pictured)

In January 2020 DailyMail.com revealed Meghan had kept her agent after joining the royal family, causing controversy at the time due to her previous claims in a November 2017 BBC interview that she would no longer work in Hollywood.

But in recent months Markle has built her own media, charity and production teams to support her non-profit Archewell, and business deals with media giants Netflix and Spotify.

‘It is a very strange development really. Nick has been a loyal friend and confidante for Meghan and Harry over the past few years,’ an LA talent agency source told DailyMail.com.

‘His expertise and knowledge of business matters in Hollywood and contact list is astonishing.

‘While on paper she was not accepting work offers as an actress, other work opportunities and roles did come in through Gersh.

‘And with the upheaval and swift departure from England and business plan needed, many believe he played a key role in helping the Sussexes get the ball rolling in business. He was part of the ‘6’Dream Team.”’

The source added that Meghan switched Collins’ role as she is not intending to take on any acting roles in the near future.

‘Meghan insists that she has no plans to act presently so he’s not needed to negotiate deals,’ the source said.

‘Make no mistake – acting and voiceover offers are flooding in to the couple. But now they will go to their production company and personal media team.

‘Certainly dealing with any opportunities that way means that the twenty percent commission usually charged by an agent, is saved.’

A second source said that Collins and the Duchess are still friends, and that she has also kept on her entertainment lawyer Rick Genow.

The agent joined the Gersch Agency in 2005, was made a partner in 2015 and promoted to Co-Head of Talent three years later.

His other clients include Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney, Emmy winners Courtney B. Vance and Eric McCormack, and This Is Us star Mandy Moore.

Since Meghan and Harry’s March move to Los Angeles, the couple has landed a $100 million Netflix deal, as well as a multi-million dollar podcast, Archewell Audio, with Spotify.

The former royals unveiled their new foundation, Archewell, and Meghan has become a private investor in wellness brand Clevr Blends.

Harry has also bolstered their income by taking on two new roles: chief impact officer for mental health startup BetterUp and a member of the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder, an organization set up to tackle the problem of misinformation and fake news.

The couple have reshuffled, promoted and enlarged their staff to deal with their ambitious new careers in Southern California.

Former Bill Gates executive Catherine St-Laurent also came on board as Chief of Staff for Archewell ¿ only to be reshuffled into a different role that will offer 'daily guidance and support' for the non-profit.

They also hired former Pinterest communications chief Christine Schirmer (right) to lead their public relations team alongside Hollywood PR firm Sunshine Sachs

Former Bill Gates executive Catherine St-Laurent (pictured) came on board as Chief of Staff for Archewell – only to be reshuffled into a different role that will offer ‘daily guidance and support’ for the non-profit.  They also hired former Pinterest communications chief Christine Schirmer (right)  to lead their public relations team alongside Hollywood PR firm Sunshine Sachs

Expanding their in-house team, the Duke and Duchess have hired former Pinterest communications chief Christine Schirmer to lead their public relations team alongside Hollywood PR firm Sunshine Sachs.

Former Bill Gates executive Catherine St-Laurent also came on board as Chief of Staff for Archewell – only to be reshuffled into a different role that will offer ‘daily guidance and support’ for the non-profit.

Another recent staffing change is for James Holt, currently the Sussexes’ media relations chief in the UK, who will reportedly be promoted to Executive Director of the Archewell Foundation.

In recent days the pair also hired Ben Browning, a producer on Emerald Fennell’s Oscar-nominated film Promising Young Woman, as Head of Content for their production company, heading up the other two divisions of the company: Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio.

Toya Holness, their media relations spokeswoman in California, has been elevated to the role of Archewell’s ‘global press secretary’.

JAN MOIR: Prince Harry has got the perfect CV for a Mickey Mouse executive!

Now that the shutters have slammed down on the Bank of Dad and with the MumCash reserves down to the last £20 million or so, Prince Harry has had to take drastic action.

At the tender age of 36, he has put childish things behind him and gone out to get himself a job. Two jobs in fact. Good for him!

Firstly, the Prince has accepted the role of Chief Impact Officer at a Silicon Valley start-up called BetterUp, a ‘unicorn employee-coaching and mental health’ firm that hires privileged, lucky people to help other privileged, lucky people lead lives filled with lovely privilege and even more luck.

Harry has also become a ‘commissioner’ with a trendy think-tank called the Aspen Institute. He will be taking part in their new Commission on Information Disorder, a study examining the state of American misinformation and disinformation.

Hush, be calm, I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that the Prince of Peeve might as well start with the misinfo and disinfo that he and his wife ladled out like hot soup during their Oprah interview earlier this month. Starting with the wedding that never was and all that business about Archie being denied his birthright, when nothing of the sort happened.

Prince Harry has accepted the role of Chief Impact Officer at a Silicon Valley start-up called BetterUp

Prince Harry has accepted the role of Chief Impact Officer at a Silicon Valley start-up called BetterUp

Yet in his new role, Harry complains about the ‘avalanche of misinformation’ that rumbles around the Sussexes — but to be frank, aren’t they a couple of reckless boulders leading the charge on that slippery slope?

Perhaps his first task as Fake News Commissioner will be an investigation into himself, in which he will find himself wanting, and send himself a stern memo. The new positions are just what you might expect from a self-styled global philanthropist who wants to change the world by telling everyone else what to do; positions that are elite, vague, grandiose and — one suspects — largely ornamental.

Certainly nothing that involves scholarship, hard toil or personal sacrifice. And everything that involves the exploitation of the royal status and hinterland from which the Prince was so desperate to escape.

Commissioner? Impact Officer? The fancy titles are typical of that cloying Californian wellness environment where someone who works in a shop is called a ‘retail customer experience ambassador’ and a van driver is a ‘vehicle operations specialist’.

How I love it! America truly is the land of opportunity, a place where they can send a man to the moon and a dimbulb like Harry to join a brains trust and plug himself into a think-tank. It’s charming that they take him so seriously, don’t you think? Especially as he has less than extensive corporate experience and just the two dodgy A-levels to his name.

The Duke of Two Jobs is to be applauded for launching himself so successfully onto the workplace, but why stop there? Here are some more positions that would be perfect for our darling Prince and his burgeoning employment portfolio . . .

CHIEF EMPATHY OFFICER

The Ball Breaker Charity is looking for a Chief Empathy Officer who can liaise with, comfort and mentor men who are victims of domineering wives. Husbands who are fed up with doing yoga and eating tofurky for lunch will be tutored by the empathy officer in a holistic, personalised coaching experience guaranteed to cling to the self and produce positive results.

Here is the official mantra, repeat after me: Even when she insists on keto and lentil, I’ll be looking after my health — and I mean mental.

AVOCADO ADVOCATE

The successful candidate will be expected to understand the turbulent history of avocados, once known as alligator pears

The successful candidate will be expected to understand the turbulent history of avocados, once known as alligator pears

The successful candidate will be expected to understand the turbulent history of avocados, once known as alligator pears. In 2017, avocados were ultra-fashionable, the healthy and guilt-free snack choice for Instagrammers everywhere. Two years later the bloom was off the fruit, as news reports linked them to water shortages, illegal deforestation and gang wars in third-world countries.

The linking of two royal duchesses to the fruit at these different points in its turbulent history had nothing to do with racism and everything to do with timing. The Avocado Advocate needs to be able to connect the dots between these two events and come to a logical conclusion instead of the usual unholy guacamole of blame-spraying conjecture. Now I’ve got that off my chest, let’s move on to…

BEST-SELLERDOM

A writer? Why not? With a wife who has authored several self-help fruit, Harry is ideally placed to corner the mindfulness market with his tales of triumph over torment and self over selflessness. Many will be inspired by his bid to flee from the tyranny of inherited wealth to live his best and authentic life in a mansion with 16 bathrooms.

His first self-help book? My money is on How To Cope With Becoming Economically Independent In Your 30s. Chapter headings include: My Family Literally Cut Me Off Financially; What Is a Mortgage?; Fiscal Insecurity — Who Pays For My Security, and Hiya Dad, The Bill’s In The Post.

WIND TURBINE TECHNICIAN

JAN MOIR: 'Environmentally conscious applicants will be expected to harness and blow a lot of hot air across America'

JAN MOIR: ‘Environmentally conscious applicants will be expected to harness and blow a lot of hot air across America’

Environmentally conscious applicants will be expected to harness and blow a lot of hot air across America, so who better than Harry?

He must troubleshoot and test existing structures while maintaining the exterior and physical integrity of all towers and turrets — surely a cinch for any royal Prince. Working knowledge of hydraulics and waterworks is a bonus, as is turning on the tears when it suits. Must be prepared to relocate to areas of consistent wind.

ROYAL RAP STAR

After his Fresh Prince Of Bel Air rap with James Corden, could Harry strike out as international royal rapper, the Pam Ayres Of Bel Air?

Why not? Music experts suggest he could even sing rap versions of traditional English songs as a special tribute to the country he left behind, along with his dear old gran.

Songs could include Boiled (Plant-Based) Beef And Carrots; My Old Man’s A Dustman And He’s Put Me In The Bin; Knees Up Mother Diversity; God Save The Queen (‘Cos She’s My Cash Machine); and The Blue Blood Blues.

All royalties will go to charity, except the charities that go to royalty.

CHIEF INTERPERSONAL MEDIATOR SPECIALISING IN FAMILY DISPUTES

The gift of family can become a burden — but with the help of an experienced go-between, even the most fractured family relationships can heal. Harry would be an excellent mediator. He already has a working knowledge of ‘burned bridge syndrome’, in which family members behave so badly that there is no going back. Ever.

He would work in a resolution process following breakdown with a person-orientated perspective and hopefully negotiate together with all parties (except Thomas Markle) to reach mutually acceptable arrangements, manage discord and dissipate the powerful infantile feelings that can lead to conflict.

But Kate is never going to speak to Meghan again, so why bother?

A MICKEY MOUSE DISNEY EXECUTIVE

Disney need a Mickey Mouse executive, a multi-hyphenate creator to operate in the Shine-A-Light-Area where they will focus on the future, imagine they are a raindrop at crucial moments and be responsible for all rodentia matters

Disney need a Mickey Mouse executive, a multi-hyphenate creator to operate in the Shine-A-Light-Area where they will focus on the future, imagine they are a raindrop at crucial moments and be responsible for all rodentia matters

Disney need a Mickey Mouse executive, a multi-hyphenate creator to operate in the Shine-A-Light-Area where they will focus on the future, imagine they are a raindrop at crucial moments and be responsible for all rodentia matters.

Fondness for cheese a must. Candidates will need to have a university degree plus at least four years of business experience. Failing this they could simply ‘be Prince Harry’.

‘I’ve seen him operate,’ said one Disney executive who met the Prince at a red carpet event. ‘He’s totally Mickey Mouse.’

WAITER/BARISTA

JAN MOIR: 'Working in a coffee shop would certainly suit his oft-stated wish that he "wants to serve"'

JAN MOIR: ‘Working in a coffee shop would certainly suit his oft-stated wish that he ‘wants to serve”

Perhaps Prince Harry should have at least one job in his portfolio that realistically reflects his life qualifications. Working in a coffee shop would certainly suit his oft-stated wish that he ‘wants to serve’.

Here, your sphere of influence can only grow as you move on from Tall to Grande and Venti.

The Prince will learn new skills and understand that with great power comes great responsibility — so make that milk and two sugars please.

Sharon’s new basic instinct is a good one

When she got to her 60s, Sharon Stone decided to ditch her agent because she didn’t want to be ‘pitched’ any more.

‘I’ve let go of people telling me all the reasons why I cannot work,’ the actress writes in her new memoir, The Beauty Of Living Twice.

‘I think 40 years of too tall, too short, too fat, too thin, too blonde, too brown, too young, too old. Too this, too that.

When she got to her 60s, Sharon Stone decided to ditch her agent because she didn't want to be 'pitched' any more

When she got to her 60s, Sharon Stone decided to ditch her agent because she didn’t want to be ‘pitched’ any more

‘I’m not really interested in the why-you-can’t-return-my-call of it all any more.

‘So, if a director wants me, specifically, they’ll be able to find me.’

If they don’t, she is busy getting on with the rest of her life.

Well done, Sharon. I like your practicality, energy, honesty and acceptance.

And the fact that your basic instinct is not to sit at home, waiting for the phone to ring, as life passes by.

Shutting up shop on memory lane 

These John Lewis store closures are terrible news. A friend is devastated by the closure of the Aberdeen branch and she will not be alone.

Many devotees were counting down the days until the stores re-opened, looking forward to a gentle cruise through the griddle pans in homewares, a satisfactory squeeze of all the jumpers on the cashmere rails and, when perusing the 12 different types of pedal bins and mops, that feeling that all is well with the world.

Eight John Lewis stores have closed this week, with 1,465 jobs at risk, despite many devotees were counting down the days until the stores re-opened

Eight John Lewis stores have closed this week, with 1,465 jobs at risk, despite many devotees were counting down the days until the stores re-opened

Now, for many, as shopping moves online, that simple pleasure may have gone for ever. Some sneer at John Lewis but for many the store is a much-loved lifeline.

Where else can you buy a pink velvet chair that will be delivered to your door in a week, a wooden ark for a toddler, a sewing kit, Chanel perfume, a treadmill and a pepper grinder?

Eight stores have closed this week, with 1,465 jobs at risk. Far more serious to lose your livelihood than a mere shopping experience. What a sad day all round.

There it lies, mud-bound, stuck fast, going nowhere. It is hard not to see the stricken Ever Given as some sort of terrible metaphor for 2021 so far. And for most of 2020, too.

The 200,000-ton container ship ran aground and lodged sideways in the Suez Canal earlier this week.

At the time of writing, it was still blocking the path of other vessels, which are now trapped in a logjam in both directions, with cargoes rotting, goods spoiling and precious time wasting.

A tiny bulldozer was scraping away on the bank away next to the superstructure, as useful as an ant trying to liberate an elephant.

Will it ever break free and sail away again?

Will any of us?

Good sport amid baby drama 

Following wife Zara giving birth to their third baby at home this week, it was soon back to business for former rugby international Mike Tindall

Following wife Zara giving birth to their third baby at home this week, it was soon back to business for former rugby international Mike Tindall

Mike Tindall doesn’t seem the sentimental sort, does he? Following wife Zara giving birth to their third baby at home this week, it was soon back to business for the former rugby international.

‘As soon as he’s wrapped up, skin on skin, it’s straight downstairs, TV room, golf on,’ he explained. 

I’ve seen men get more emotional about a Deliveroo delivery, but congratulations to all!

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