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"Hardest year of my life": Prince William's candid admission

Prince WIlliam has made a candid admission about his life this past year, following the double cancer diagnoses of his father King Charles and wife Kate Middleton. When asked how this year has been in an interview with UK print media in Cape Town during his trip to South Africa, the royal replied: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.” The Prince of Wales, who took time off while Princess Kate was being treated added: “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.” While the King and Princess Kate have both issued statements about their health struggles, this is the first time William has spoken candidly on the subject. The Prince of Wales is in South Africa as part of Earthshot Week, and presented the Earthshot Prize Awards on November 6. When asked if his family had watched the live broadcast of the awards ceremony, he replied: “I don’t know yet. I haven’t clocked in with them yet but I hope they did. “But it’s interesting you say that, ’cause I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s very interesting you’re all seeing that. But it’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going. “I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure I have got time for my family too.” He also shared an update on his wife's condition saying that "she's doing well. Doing well". Image: Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace/ Shutterstock Editorial

Family & Pets

Prince William pops up in Robert Irwin's socials

Prince William has made a surprise appearance on Robert Irwin's Instagram as the pair team up for an important award ceremony in South Africa. The Prince of Wales and the wildlife warrior posted a video from Cape Town as they take part in the annual Earthshot Prize Awards: an initiative founded by William, of which Irwin is an ambassador. “G’day, it’s Robert here, with, of course, Prince William,” Irwin began the video. “Lovely to see you. How are you enjoying South Africa so far?” “Good thanks, really good, having a lovely time so far, loving it,” the prince responded. “Robert, you’ve been a fantastic ambassador for us at the moment, so looking forward to the Prize on Wednesday – tune in!” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB_C75lP9Wa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB_C75lP9Wa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a> </div> </blockquote> Irwin said that the event was “going to be amazing” before asking William, “We’re in South Africa, one of the most amazing countries and continents for wildlife – do you have a favourite African animal?” The future King pointed out it was a “really tough question”, adding, “My children ask me this regularly. I think it’s going to have to be the cheetah.” “Cheetahs, OK. Very cool. It’s chameleons for me, the unsung hero, I love them,” Irwin told him, before signing off the video, “Thanks so much for having me, for having us, Earthshot Week has been amazing so far and I cannot wait for tomorrow night … South Africa rules!” On the second day of Prince William's four-day tour of South Africa, he joined Irwin for a walk together towards Cape Town's Signal Hill, as the royal and the Aussie conservationist met with a variety of local park rangers and firefighters, with Irwin telling media afterwards that they had both “fallen in love with Cape Town”. Image credits: Instagram

International Travel

"Stern warning": William Tyrrell's foster mother abused outside court

William Tyrrell's foster mother has been targeted in wild scenes outside court as she left the inquest into the child's disappearance, as another woman was seen "hurling abuse at her". When leaving court on Monday afternoon, the woman, who is unable to be named, was abused and heckled by an unknown female, as Counsel Assisting Gerard Craddock SC informed NSW Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame. "There is no place in civil society for that at all," he told the inquiry. "It is particularly terrible in these circumstances." He asked the coroner to "remind people in attendance that orderly conduct is required. That sort of conduct could amount to being punishable by contempt of court". Coroner Grahame said, "That is very disappointing. If that person is in this court now they should be warned (the court) can take action." "That sort of behaviour must not occur. I'm just disturbed by that sort of behaviour. I use a stern warning. Please behave." The incident was revealed at the beginning of the second day of the resumed inquest into the disappearance of the three-year-old boy 10 years ago. The inquest is probing the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/new-corpse-disposal-theory-tested-in-william-tyrrell-inquest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">police theory</a> that William Tyrell's foster mother buried his body in bushland after he fell from a balcony and died on the morning he vanished from Kendall, on the NSW mid north coast, in September 2014. Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

New “corpse disposal” theory tested in William Tyrrell inquest

A police theory that William Tyrrell's foster mother unlawfully disposed of the child's body after he died of an accident is set to be put before the court in an inquest into Tyrrell's disappearance. On Monday, counsel assisting Gerard Craddock SC reopened the inquest for a fifth round of evidence, saying the focus would be on the viability of the theory that William's body was purposefully disposed of. Police have alleged that after the then three-year-old died on the Kendall property on the mid-north NSW coast in September 2014, the foster mum might have loaded his body into her mother’s Mazda before driving down the road to dispose of his remains. Deputy NSW coroner Harriet Grahame heard in court that it was only then that she may have called triple zero to report the child missing. “Police assert that she must have quickly resolved that if the accidental death were to be discovered, she might lose (her other foster child),” Craddock said. Tyrrell's foster mother has long denied having any involvement with William's disappearance. Later in the inquest, evidence is set to be given from a truck driver who drove past where the foster mother allegedly disposed of the body at the time. The inquest into William’s disappearance began in March 2019 but was adjourned in October 2020. No one has been charged and a $1 million reward for information stands. Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

"Police have done nothing": William Tyrrell's foster mother speaks out

William Tyrrell's foster mother has issued a rare statement, slamming the police investigation into the disappearance of the toddler. In her first public comments in two years, the woman - who cannot be identified - has been insistent on denying any involvement in William's disappearance despite being at the centre of a dedicated Strike Force team. She claimed police had “gone to great lengths to blacken my character in the media” as they built a case against her, since she was publicly outed as the current person of interest for Strike Force Rosann detectives in 2021. As <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/done-nothing-william-tyrrells-foster-mother-issues-statement/news-story/0503f8940a3bad2bb2648c38bc44e288" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> continue their investigative podcast into William's disappearance and the subsequent investigation, the foster mother has slammed the authorities for the way they have handled the high-profile case. She said, “I believe that if the police had properly investigated this case, instead of persecuting me, they may well have found the person responsible for William’s disappearance.” She went on to reiterate she believes the three-year-old was taken from her mother’s yard in Kendall in September of 2014 and that she has “no idea who took William, or what happened to him”. “For the past five years, the police have done nothing to try to discover who took William, and what has happened to him," she said. “Instead, they have concentrated all their efforts on trying to build a case that I was in some way to blame for his death, and the disposal of his precious little body." “They have gone to great lengths to blacken my character in the media.” She went on to say she loved William “as much as any mother could love her child … if not more”. She said, “It did not matter one bit that he was not connected to us biologically. William made my life complete; I loved him fiercely. I just loved being his ‘mummy’.” “Never ever for a moment did I regret becoming a foster mother”, she said, adding the family was “and still are … connected as one”. “It’s challenging to have hope and build plans for the future when our hearts remain shattered and in pieces,” she said. “All I can hope for is that some person who knows something comes forward.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Serena Williams “mortified” by health scare

Serena Williams has undergone a procedure in hospital to remove a brachial cyst in her neck. The tennis legend documented her health scare on TikTok, sharing how she ended up in surgery after doctors originally told her not to worry about it. “A lot has been happening and I had surgery recently where I had to take some yucky medicine that I hated so much,” she said in a video. “One day back in May, I found this big mass on my neck. I was mortified by it and I got tests done — everything you can imagine. Everything was negative." “Turns out I have what’s called a cyst, a brachial cyst, to be exact." “(Doctors) said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So, I did not get it (removed) but it kept growing." “I decided to get more tests and, three tests and one biopsy later, everything was still negative, but doctors advised I get it removed as soon as possible because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected, or worse, leak.” Williams then shared vision of the procedure she had to undergo to have it removed. “So, I ended up having to get it removed. It was so big, it was the size of a grapefruit, and it kind of hurt at coming out,” she went on. “Obviously I went under (general anesthetic) for it, but they had to put a drain in it because it was so much." “But everything worked out and I feel really happy to have worked with some great doctors." “A little scared here but excited to move on to the next steps of healing and doing well.” The 43-year-old mother-of-two is still recovering from the operation, saying, “I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy." Image credits: TikTok / Andrew Schwartz / Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

William Tyrrell's biological grandmother speaks out

William Tyrrell's biological grandmother has spoken out about the child's first disappearance, two years before he disappeared without a trace in 2014, and how she was the "mastermind" behind the plan. Natalie Collins, whose three-year-old grandson was last seen alive on 12th September 2014, said she orchestrated for William to be hidden away when a court ordered William to be taken from his parent's custody. “So I hid them,” Ms Collins told the second episode of <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/i-hid-him-william-tyrrells-biological-grandmother-speaks/news-story/49b7f2998daf1d13035a794622e9a463" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>’s investigative podcast into William's disappearance. “I hid them for three months after I knew (state government officials) were going to take William … I arranged it all.” When asked if that made her the mastermind of William’s first disappearance, which caused police to set up a dedicated strike force to find him, Ms Collins said “Yeah, that’s right”. “I should have taken him myself … Then no one would have been able to take him off me. That’s what I should have done,” she said. The court order for William to be removed from his biological parents' care came in 2012, when he was jut seven months old. The NSW government Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) had raised concerns about domestic violence and substance abuse between William's parents Brendan Collins and Karlie Tyrrell, the court heard. The court ordered for William to be taken by officials and placed into government care, but when the officers arrived to take William, he was gone. A police strike force, codenamed Duncraig, was set up to find William, with officers making repeated visits to various addresses over the coming weeks, without success. In 2012, William was ultimately found in the custody of Ms Collins and taken by authorities, who placed him with foster parents. Ms Collins said the government made the wrong decision to re-home William in 2012, and their actions directly led to William's 2014 disappearance. “These (FaCS) people didn’t do their job,” she said. “They failed to do their job properly." “Because this shouldn’t happen these days with foster care children. What it’s done to my family from day one has stuffed all of us up,” she continued. “I’ve got one son in rehab, I’ve got one in jail and my family has been stuffed up. I lost my son and I lost myself on the way.” The podcast also spoke to one of the officials who was present when William was first taken from his biological family, as the man claimed he constantly wonders if he made the right decision about William's care. “We take kids off … families all the time,” the man said, breaking down in tears. “You do it. It is part of the job. “The thing I get upset about is … we took William off Karlie to protect him. I can still see myself walking into that bloody unit … And there was William, on the floor." “And I just think … did we do the right thing? Would he still be alive? Maybe.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Hugh Jackman pleads for help in search for missing Broadway star

Hugh Jackman is using his influence and wide reach to assist in the search for his former Broadway co-star, Zelig Williams, who has been missing since early October. Williams, a 28-year-old performer known for his roles in MJ The Musical and Hamilton, was last seen on October 3 at his home in Columbia, South Carolina. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and brown slides. The non-profit organisation <a href="https://blackandmissinginc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black and Missing</a> has released a missing person poster, stating that authorities believe Williams was last spotted driving in the Congaree National Park area, where his vehicle was later found abandoned. Jackman, who performed with Williams during the 2019 concert tour The Man. The Music. The Show, has taken to social media to amplify the call for information. On his 56th birthday, the Australian actor shared a photo of Williams and his mother with a link to a news report from Good Morning America, urging his 34.5 million Instagram followers to report any information to local authorities. "If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of ZELIG WILLIAMS please reach out to your local authorities," Jackman wrote in his post. He has continued to spread the message, using Instagram stories to ask followers to contact the Richland County Sheriff's Office with any potential leads. "Zelig, we love you and are praying for your safe return. Please pass this message on!!!" Jackman added. Williams' disappearance has left his family in anguish. His aunt, Christine McLaughlin Barber, initially believed he might have been involved in a car accident after receiving an SOS signal from his phone around 9:50am on October 3, shortly after he left home. However, authorities have since ruled out this possibility. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott revealed to local news outlet WISTV that an extensive search operation has been underway, utilising helicopters, boats and drones to cover vast areas. "We've searched on foot, in the air, at various locations," Lott said. "We are also using other investigative techniques involving cell phones and other means, which I cannot disclose at this time." Lott also said that Williams is in need of prescription medication, adding urgency to the search. Williams' cousin, Mieoki Corbin-Jacobs, expressed the family's heartbreak, telling WISTV: "It's devastation. It's devastation for someone who is so close to his family to just disappear like that... there's no way to describe it." The Broadway community, along with Jackman, continues to rally in hopes of locating Williams and bringing him home safely. Images: Instagram

Caring

“Witnesses” in William Tyrrell case turned away by police

Several potential witnesses who claim to have spotted William Tyrrell after he went missing in 2014 allege that they were dismissed by police, with phone calls to Crime Stoppers also going unanswered. One woman claims to have seen the child near Uluru one year after he was reported missing, with another four people claiming they had valuable information that was ignored by authorities. As <a href="http://news.com.au/">news.com.au</a> continues their investigative podcast into Tyrrell’s disappearance, the podcast spoke to the witnesses who were allegedly ignored by police, as one woman said she “felt sick” after being dismissed when trying to report another possible sighting of William. A third possible witness said he was “p***ed off with Crime Stoppers not taking me seriously”. After the then three-year-old disappeared from Kendall on the mid North coast of New South Wales, NSW Police were inundated with information. In the following two years, there were around 2,800 calls to Crime Stoppers, and more than 1,000 possible sightings of William, with many of these tips being followed up at the time. While speaking with the podcast, one potential witness, Lois Barry, believed she saw William travelling with a group of four adults and several young children when she was on a trip to Australia’s red centre in 2015. She said she had an encounter with a blonde woman at a petrol station in Marla, South Australia, who told Ms Barry she was from the east coast of NSW. As soon as Ms Barry went into a free cubicle, she claimed the woman said: “You can come out now, Will.” Ms Barry said she saw the group again at a campsite later that night, and recognised one of the group from media reports of William’s disappearance. The boy was younger than the other children in the group and she felt he was being “hidden” by them, she said. One of the adults with the group was the blonde woman, as Ms Barry took a photo of the woman and noted down the registration numbers of the vehicles in which the group were travelling. Ms Barry told news.com.au she tried to report her potential sighting at the time by visiting a local police station, only to be cut off by an officer who said he was busy, and told her “don’t worry about it”. She then called Crime Stoppers “two or three times” to report what she had seen, but she said, “Crime Stoppers rang me back and said it was nothing.” Ms Barry said she has never heard directly from police. “For all those years … that was just eating at me,” she said, breaking down as she described her fears of what might have happened to William. Another potential witness, Richard Brindle, said he contacted Crime Stoppers shortly after police appealed for information about two cars “parked strangely with the driver windows down” outside the house where William was reported missing. Despite multiple reports to Crime Stoppers, Mr Brindle said he never heard back. “I had some fresh information at the time, and I rang Crime Stoppers twice. And they must have thought I was some nut job or whatever,” he said. “I was a bit p***ed off with Crime Stoppers not taking me seriously. It’s very serious stuff, it’s a boy’s life. And they didn’t even bother to interview me. I thought, ‘What a joke. No one seems to care’.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Disturbing details emerge about former suspect in William Tyrrell's disappearance

An investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell has raised questions about why a man who was once considered a person of interest was not called by police to give evidence on the case. The man, who has not been named, allegedly had a shrine of the missing boy at the end of his bed, containing a collage of pictures and news reports, as well as handwritten poetry quoting Gary Jubelin, the former lead detective on the case. Mr Jubelin, who was taken off the investigation in 2019, has previously written to NSW’s director of inquests saying the man’s behaviour was “concerning” and he should be called as a witness. However, the man shared with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/former-william-tyrrell-suspect-had-shrine-to-missing-boy/news-story/1fbf310d22250c00a8cc2de081d9e77b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>'s investigative podcast into Tyrrell's disappearance revealed that he was never called to give evidence. When questioned by the outlet's podcast - which clarified that they were not suggesting any wrongdoing by the man who has never been charged with any offences - he said he was “different from the mainstream” and denied any involvement in the case, despite not having an alibi for the day the then three-year-old disappeared. The man, whose property is a few hundred metres through the bush from Benaroon Dr where William went missing, said he was home alone at the time the toddler was reported missing. The man's property was searched two days after William was last seen, and was placed under police surveillance years later. During this time, police uncovered barrels of small animal bones at his property. When asked about them, the man first denied they were there, then claimed they were planted on his property by police. “What I don’t like is the way people who are slightly different are singled out here,” he said. “They get harassed, they get persecuted because they’re odd.” Asked about the police investigation, he said, “I don’t like the way people are presumed guilty until proven innocent." “It could have been someone who was driving past (who was responsible for William’s disappearance). That’s as likely as anything else isn’t it?" Mr Jubelin, who left the police in 2019 and was subsequently convicted of illicitly recording conversations with another person of interest, said he did not question the man in detail at the time as he expected him to be called at the inquest. “(The man) should at the very least be called as a witness,” Mr Jubelin wrote to coronial officials in 2020 after leaving the police force. “There were a number of things about (the man) that I consider concerning.” “What was not put to him and is most concerning is he had what could best be described as a shrine to William Tyrrell at the end of his bed. This included a picture of William and quotes from myself regarding the investigation." “I had an expectation this would be done at the inquest.” Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

New rendered image holds hope in William Tyrrell disappearance 10 years on

A new rendered image has shown what William Tyrrell would look like now on the 10-year anniversary of his disappearance. On September 12th 2014, the then three-year-old disappeared from his foster grandmother's home in Kendall on the NSW Mid North Coast and has not been seen since, making his disappearance one of the nation's most enduring mysteries. Now, 10 years on, Ten News have released a rendered image of what William might look like now at 13, with experts hoping it might prompt someone to come forward with information. Criminologist Xanthe Mallett said the image was a way to keep William’s face in the public eye. “An image such as this could encourage someone who knows what happen to unlock the mystery,” Dr Mallett told Ten News. A $1million reward has been offered for information to help locate William, with a coronial inquest into his disappearance to take place at the end of this year. As William's family continue to struggle with the mystery around his disappearance, Close friends of Tyrrell’s foster parents, Clare and Alice Collins, have told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/how-william-tyrells-loved-ones-are-spending-the-10-year-anniversary-of-his-disappearance-c-16030683" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> reporter Michael Usher the family was “crushed” to still have no answers on the 10-year anniversary. “They remember William every minute of every day,” Clare said. “They’re living a nightmare.” Alice added, even a decade on, they believed “hope is the key”. “You hear cases from around the world with kids who had been abducted, and they turn up 10, 20 years later,” she said. “There is still a chance that he is out there ... it’s a big reach ... but in light of the fact that there is absolutely no evidence that William is deceased there is that very, very slim chance.” The pair appealed to anyone across the country with information as to where William might be to “make the call”. “It’s as though he’s just vanished ... we need answers ... Australia needs answers. Help bring William home ... and we will do everything in our power,” Alice said. “We are never giving up.” Image credits: NSW Police / Ten News

Family & Pets

Robbie Williams and wife share heartbreaking family update

Robbie Williams and wife Ayda have been left heartbroken following the death on their beloved dogs, Poupette and Walle. The British pop star, 50, took to Instagram on Friday to share the devastating news, saying that the two dogs died together in their sleep. In a heartfelt tribute to Instagram, his wife Ayda shared that Poupette had been with her for nearly two decades. “Today, our dogs Poupette & Walle left this planet to start an adventure in an infinite galaxy far, far away," she began. “They died together in bed, listening to ‘Dancing Queen’, surrounded by tremendous love. “For those of you who don’t know about Poupette and Walle, here’s some backstory … “Poupette’s been with me 18 years. From the day we met, she was my soulmate. I was a single girl, and all of a sudden, with Poupette, I was a single mum. “Everyone that knows me, called Poupette ‘my shadow’ … because wherever I’d go, she was right behind me. “It’s weird how you can share so much with a being that can’t communicate back in the same language. “But, that’s the beauty of unconditional love … it needs no words.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_hicKtx3R5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_hicKtx3R5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ayda Field Williams (@aydafieldwilliams)</a> </div> </blockquote> She explained that when she started dating Robbie, he fell in love with Poupette "instantly" and took her on as his own dog. “Rob, at the time, had 3 big dogs & I assumed he’d baulk at the idea of having to take a tiny, white, fluffy dog on the streets, shouting ‘Poupette’ with a Northern English accent," she said. “But, Rob immediately fell in love with her and all of a sudden, the big tattooed, popstar … became a small-fluffy-dog kinda guy.” The couple decided to get Walle a year later, and “from that day forward, on 4th of July, we officially became a blended family.” Their dogs even played a big role on their wedding day in 2010, with Poupette as Ayda's maid of honour, and Walle as Robbie's best man. “Through the years, Poupette & Walle have been there for the birth of all 4 children, multiple tours, countries, & all the ups & downs that life has thrown our way the past 14 years since we said, ‘I do’.” “As time has gone on, we have had to say our sad goodbyes to each of those bridesmaids & groomsmen … Miraculously, Poupette & Walle have held on. “Recently, Rob and I renewed our marriage vows. There’s a lot of things we’re facing now (more on that another time) and we wanted to celebrate what was good in our lives; family & love. “Just as 14 years ago … Poupette was my maid of honor & Walle was Rob’s man.” The star admitted that she would be taking the next few days to grieve over her "fur bestie" and how she loves them "with all her heart." Many fans shared their condolences for the couple, with one writing: “Oh that is so sad, they will be truly missed! Sending you all the biggest hugs!” Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Major update in long-delayed William Tyrrell inquest

Almost 10 years after William Tyrrell went missing, an inquest into his disappearance is finally set to resume. The three-year-old disappeared from his foster grandmother’s home in Kendall on September 12th 2014, in what has become one of Australia’s most notorious missing persons cases. For 18 long months, an inquest before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame examined William’s disappearance and suspected death, before it was adjourned in October 2020. Ms Grahame’s findings were due to be handed down in June 2021, but the inquest was pushed back indefinitely as prosecutors grappled with evidence concerning the missing boy’s foster mother. As the investigation into William's disappearance continues, his body has never been found and his foster parents have persistently denied having any involvement. Now, after three years of delays, a directions hearing at the NSW Coroner’s Court in Western Sydney on Tuesday confirmed a final block of hearings will commence later in the year. Starting the weeks of November 4th and December 16th, witnesses will be recalled to the stand as the inquest is formally recommenced, with the court saying that the witness list and list of issues was set to be finalised within a few days. No one has been charged in the case of William's disappearance and a $1 million reward for information still stands. Image credits: NSW Police

Legal

Last Australian 'Rat of Tobruk' dies age 102

Thomas Pritchard, Australia's last "Rat of Tobruk" has passed away at the age of 102. Pritchard was part of the famous garrison who held the eponymous Libyan port against a furious Nazi siege in World War II. The Rats of Tobruk Association announced Pritchard's death on Saturday, honouring his service to his country. "Tommy was a stalwart member of our association and a most humble veteran, having served with the 2/5th field ambulance throughout the Middle East and the South West Pacific," the association wrote in a post. "We as an Association are extremely grateful to have had Tommy for so long yet we mourn his loss and the last direct linkage with some 14,000 Australian servicemen who served in Tobruk." The post added that Pritchard would be farewelled in a private family funeral, as was Tommy's wishes. However, they added that a public memorial for all Rats of Tobruk will take place in Melbourne, with the date yet to be confirmed. The Rats of Tobruk were an Allied garrison of about 26,000 soldiers, including 14,000 Australians, commanded by Australian Lieutenant-General Leslie Morehead. They were besieged by the Nazi Afrika Korps, comprised of German and Italian troops, from April 10th to November 27th 1941. The Africa Korps, under the leadership of Nazi general Erwin Rommel, had never known defeat, until he faced the Rats for 231 days, who denied Rommel a port on the Libyan coast as the Nazis were unable to take control of Tobruk. The nickname came from American-born Nazi propagandist William Joyce, who, when he heard the Allied soldiers were taking cover in the pre-existing below-ground defences of the city, derided them as living like "rats". However, Aussies took the nickname with pride as they celebrated their victory. Image credits: Rats of Tobruk Association

Caring

Gold medallist sleeps in Paris park to protest "disappointing" Olympic village conditions

A gold medallist has been spotted sleeping in a Paris park in protest of the conditions in the Olympic village. Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon was captured sleeping atop a white towel in a park located inside the Olympic village by Saudi rower Husein Alireza. Alireza posted the photo to Instagram with the caption, "Rest today, conquer tomorrow." The Italian swimmer, who won gold in the 100m backstroke, had already complained publicly about the accommodations in the Olympic Village, after he failed to reach the 200m backstroke final on Wednesday. Since the commencement of the Paris Games, many athletes have spoken out about the conditions in the Olympic village, saying the beds are uncomfortable, the rooms are poorly air conditioned and the food is poor quality. “There is no air-conditioning in the village, it’s hot, the food is bad,” Ceccon said, according to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/29673636/thomas-ceccon-sleeping-park-conditions-olympic-village-paris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun. </a> “Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or an excuse, it’s the reality of what perhaps not everybody knows." “I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the final, but I was too tired. It’s hard to sleep both at night and in the afternoon. Here, I really struggle between the heat and the noise.” Andy Anson, the chief of the British Olympic Association, also voiced concerns about how the quality of the village is affecting athletes, telling The Times of London, “There are not enough of certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates.” “And then there is the quality of the food, with raw meat being served to athletes.” A number of athletes, including the entire US women’s tennis team (with the exception of Coco Gauff) have left the village and searched for alternate accommodation for the duration of the Games. Image credits: Instagram/Panoramic/SIPA/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial

Travel Trouble

Heartache for Harry and William after the death of their uncle

Prince William and Prince Harry have been rocked by a devastating loss as their uncle has died. Lord Robert Fellowes, the husband of William and Harry’s aunt Jane, passed away at the age of 82 from undisclosed causes. Jane, an elder sister of the late Princess Diana, had been married to Robert for more than 40 years. Prince William had an especially close relationship with Fellowes, as Lord Robert and Jane’s eldest daughter, Laura, is godmother to Princess Charlotte. Lord Fellowes worked as private secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth during some of the most dramatic times during the 1990s, including when his sister-in-law Diana died in 1997 at the age of 36. It has previously been reported that throughout Lord Robert's time as a palace courtier, he sometimes had a strained relationship with his sister-in-law. However, when Diana died, he explained, “I was deeply fond of her. She was a very good person. She found it difficult in life to find happiness, and I’m sad for people who have that situation.” Lord Fellowes was long a trusted member of a small group of advisors who guided the royal family during difficult times. According to The New York Times, he helped to write the speech Elizabeth II gave to the nation from Buckingham Palace on the eve of Diana’s funeral. Lord Robert Fellowes is survived by his wife Jane and their three children Laura, Alexander and Eleanor. Image credits: SplashNews.com/Shutterstock Editorial

Family & Pets

Prince William’s huge salary revealed

Buckingham Palace has released its annual report, known as the Sovereign Grant Report, into the royal family's finances, revealing Prince William's whopping annual salary. The Palace said the findings of the report "reflects a time of unforeseen challenges for the royal family", referencing the cancer diagnosis that struck both King Charles and Princess Kate this year, as the senior royals stepped back from official duties to undergo treatment. Despite the "challenging" year for the royals, Prince William earned a whopping salary of $45 million AUD in the last financial year. After inheriting the title of Prince of Wales, Prince William, receives the majority of his personal wealth from the Duchy of Cornwall, which he inherited from his father after the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. That extensive estate is worth more than £1 billion (approximately $1.8b AUD) and includes 52,450 hectares of land, mostly in the south-west of England. Prince William has made a major change since inheriting the title, choosing not to reveal how much tax he pays on the private income from the duchy. The royal family is also set for a huge pay rise next year, as profits from the monarch's Crown Estates has risen by 53 per cent in the past financial year. That means the monarchy is to receive a boost of more than £45 million (approximately $87m AUD). Across 2023-24, profits for the royal family rose to £1.1 billion mainly due to offshore wind farms, meaning the Sovereign Grant (the annual payment the royals get from the government each year) will increase from £86.3 million (approximately $167m AUD) in 2024-25 to £132 million (approximately $257m AUD) in 2025-26. The majority of the royal family's wealth comes from the Crown Estate, roughly about £16 billion (approximately $31b AUD ) of an estimated £20 billion (approximately $40b AUD). Image credits: Isabel Infantes/WPA Pool/Shutterstock Editorial

Money & Banking

"Such dad vibes": Prince William spotted on electric scooter

Prince William has been captured whizzing around the grounds of Windsor Castle on his electric scooter. The now viral <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@a.n.g.e.l.a_xue_/video/7387939184310258986?_r=1&_t=8nlhHj5x223" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video clip</a> showed the royal keeping up with the times and riding the scooter in style - wearing a a blue jumper, black pants, sneakers and sunnies. The text overlay on the video read: "Happy 4th of July from Prince William on a scooter." The royal was filmed whizzing down a pathway at Windsor Castle before turning down an archway and disappearing from sight. Many viewers were amused at the sight of the next King casually zooming past them. "Pulling up to Windsor Castle on a scooter is the funniest thing," one wrote. "Prince William has such dad vibes and I love it," added another. A third commented that the senior royal has been "hip these days... dancing like no one's watching to [Taylor Swift], riding scooters... love that for him." "Didn't know he was chill like that," another commenter remarked. Prince William reportedly bought the two-wheeled ride last year so he could easily travel from his family home in Adelaide Cottage to the castle. "It just makes sense. He whizzes up to the castle when he needs to see the King," a royal source reportedly told The Sun. "It's a two or three-mile round trip from his family home at Adelaide Cottage to Windsor Castle so it is much easier by scooter than car or walking." It is reported that William was dropping by the castle to visit his dad, King Charles, who was there on Thursday, before he headed to Buckingham Palace to hold audiences with outgoing and incoming prime ministers, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. Images: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Prince William shakes it off at Taylor Swift's concert

Prince William has celebrated his 42nd birthday with a boogie at the first of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts at Wembley Stadium in London. The pop star took to Instagram to share a selfie she took with the future King and his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as well as her boyfriend NFL star Travis Kelce She captioned the photo: "Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taylorswift13</a> for a great evening! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LondonTSTheErastour?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LondonTSTheErastour</a> <a href="https://t.co/NFSi8hAl1o">pic.twitter.com/NFSi8hAl1o</a> — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1804489979294364005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2024</a></blockquote> The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared another angle of the selfie, this time without Kelce included in the photo, to their joint Instagram account. "Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour," they captioned a photo. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> 📲| Prince William dancing to "Shake It Off" at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London <a href="https://t.co/c0J7aSM1Li">pic.twitter.com/c0J7aSM1Li</a> — The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSwiftSociety/status/1804453576560808210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2024</a></blockquote> Eagle-eyed fans who attended the show also spotted the royal shaking it off on the balcony of a private box at the stadium on Friday night and shared a snippet of Prince William dancing the night away to X, formerly Twitter. "Prince William dancing to "Shake It Off" at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London" they captioned the video. Fans were amused at the royal cameo, with one saying: "He was getting it with the ultimate dad moves." Another quipped: "Prince William got moves and boy I tell you George & Charlotte are definitely embarrassed." "Shake it off Prince William! Shake it Off!" added another. Images: Instagram/ X

Music

Kevin Costner reveals heartwarming interaction with Prince William

Kevin Costner has revealed that Prince William left a strong impression on him after the royal organised a meet-up with him several years ago. "I happened to be in England, and I got this message that the Prince would love to talk, and I said, 'What?'... and then I went, 'Okay'," the Hollywood actor told People magazine. "We met in this room, and it was just us. He walked up, and we shook hands. ..." What came out of the royals mouth next left the actor feeling delighted, as he revealed that his late mother, Princess Diana, had a crush on Costner. "The first line out of his mouth was, 'You know, my mom kind of fancied you'." He described Prince William as "quite a young man," and that the interaction had left him with "fond memories of who he was, how I was approached and what we talked about." Costner also revealed that he had talks with the late Princess about being involved in the sequel to his iconic film The Bodyguard. "There was a moment that that was really flying down the tracks, very quietly, because it's how I operate," he said. The three-time Golden Globe winner shared that Sarah Ferguson was the one who introduced him to the Diana. "It was so sweet. Sarah was the one that set this up. Sarah was very cool... when she could have been going, 'Well, I'm a princess too. What about me? ' She didn't do that at all. Diana and I began to talk," he praised the Duchess of York. Images: Marina Takimoto/ZUMA Press Wire/ Shutterstock editorial/ Instagram

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Disturbing details emerge about former suspect in William Tyrrell's disappearance

New rendered image holds hope in William Tyrrell disappearance 10 years on

Robbie Williams and wife share heartbreaking family update

Major update in long-delayed William Tyrrell inquest

Last Australian 'Rat of Tobruk' dies age 102

Gold medallist sleeps in Paris park to protest "disappointing" Olympic village conditions

Heartache for Harry and William after the death of their uncle

Prince William’s huge salary revealed

"Such dad vibes": Prince William spotted on electric scooter

Prince William shakes it off at Taylor Swift's concert

Kevin Costner reveals heartwarming interaction with Prince William

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