The duchess, 43, has been wearing Princess Diana's gold Cartier Tank Française watch—a sentimental piece gifted by Prince Harry—on repeat since 2020, and she's seen sporting it throughout the trailer for her upcoming lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

The video gives us a glimpse into her post-royal transformation, featuring the former Suits actress baking bread with celeb pals, throwing tea parties and casually making the most perfect floral arrangements. And while her outfits range from cozy cashmere shells to a surprisingly chic beekeeping suit (yes, really), Diana's elegant timepiece remains a constant companion.

The $26,000 Tank Française design features a classic 18K gold bracelet and serves as an elevated staple for the duchess that she pairs with another Cartier piece, the designer's iconic gold Love bracelet.

“The Cartier Tank is the French maison’s most iconic watch, famed for its timeless design and elegant silhouette,” British Vogue's jewelry and watch director, Rachel Garrahan, said in a 2023 story for the outlet. “Princess Diana frequently wore the classic design with a black leather strap. For more formal occasions she opted for a jewel-like gold Tank Française—it was based on the original Tank but has a more angular design and an integrated metal bracelet.”

The late princess wore her watch regularly after her divorce from Prince Charles, and according to British Vogue, the Cartier design "was named after the British military tanks that helped defeat the German forces at the Battle of the Somme in 1916." Ironically, Markle owns a two-toned version of the same watch, a piece she bought herself during her Suits days.

The gold watch appears to be ideal for everything from baking cakes to tending bees (hopefully no honey got on it!), and the idea that Markle treats every day as special is something that should be noted. Rather than saving the heirloom timepiece for nights out or dress-up occasions, she's embraced it as part of her everyday uniform.

As for With Love, Meghan, the eight-episode series, which launches on Netflix Jan. 15, suggests the duchess is ready to write her next chapter on her own terms. And if her farm-to-table chic outfits are any indication, she's mastered the art of mixing meaningful royal touches with her own California cool aesthetic.

The duchess cooks up a storm and tackles flower arranging with aplomb in the trailer, released on her brand-new Instagram account on Jan. 2, but she also shows off her love of one royal-approved hobby: beekeeping. In fact, Markle sports a massive white bee suit and hood as she walks out to an apiary in a clip from the trailer.

"Look at how much honey we have!" she whispers in excitement as she scrapes honey from a tray as a fellow bee enthusiast looks on.

We know jam will be part of her upcoming American Riviera Orchard homewares brand, but according to the brand's official trademark filing, honey is also in the list of items that could be sold in its yet-to-be-announced product lineup.

Beekeeping is a hobby also enjoyed by many other royals through the years, and the Princess of Wales keeps a hive at her country home, Anmer Hall. She even brought a jar of her own honey to a 2021 event at the Natural History Museum.

In 2023, Princess Kate shared a photo of herself in a full beekeeping suit on Instagram to honor World Bee Day, writing, "Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem and today is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.”

Queen Camilla and King Charles love a good garden-themed hobby, so it's no surprise they're also avid apiarists. The King keeps beehives at various royal properties such as Windsor Castle and also at his country retreat, Highgrove House, and The Queen once sold honey from her Wiltshire home, Ray Mill, at iconic London department store Fortnum & Mason.

Camilla is such a bee enthusiast that she recently awarded a royal warrant to bee venom facialist Deborah Mitchell.

Buzzy hobbies aside, the Duchess of Sussex will share gardening, cooking and entertaining tips in the eight-episode series, which releases on Netflix Wednesday, Jan. 15.

"I have been so excited to share this with you!" she wrote on Instagram. "I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support - and fun!"

As for her bees, we'll be anxiously awaiting to hear how Meghan got in

The IT Cosmetics co-founder shared a sweet selfie with the duchess on Instagram Thursday, writing, "Congrats @meghan on the announcement of your new show With Love, Meghan on @netflix it was so much fun to celebrate with you today! "

In the pic, Lima wore a relaxed denim shirt and bright pink lipstick as she held the phone, while the duchess is seen smiling behind her in a black coat with a green top underneath. The friends appear to be sitting at a picnic table under a tree in the photo, and Markle—who rocked long curls for her girl's day out—wore her signature stack of gold bracelets and Princess Diana's Cartier watch.

"I’m so excited for the world to experience even more of your joy, your heart, your kindness, your humor, your humility, your compassion, your many talents and your LOVE!" Lima continued her caption, calling Markle "an incredible friend to so many, including me."

While the Shark Tank season 16 guest shark didn't elaborate on what they did during their outing, Lima did express her enthusiasm for With Love, Meghan's impending release, writing, "I can’t wait for it to come out on Netflix in a week and a half!!🎉🙌🚀."

The Duchess of Sussex shared her own thoughts on the show—which will feature cooking, gardening and entertaining content—in her Instagram post Thursday. "I have been so excited to share this with you!" she captioned the trailer. "I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support - and fun! As ever, Meghan."

In the video, the duchess wears an array of her signature neutrals and laid-back California styles as she cooks with friends, hosts parties and searches for the perfect flowers. She even wears a beekeeper suit as she heads to the garden in search of honey—a hobby she happens to share with Queen Camilla and Princess Kate.

Tune in when all eight episodes of With Love, Meghan drop on Netflix Wednesday, Jan. 15.

On December 31, the actor, who co-starred in and directed It Ends With Us, filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on what he says are Lively's "false" allegations—and his legal filings for the lawsuit include new allegations against Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds.

In court documents, Baldoni describes a confrontation with Reynolds in which he says the Deadpool star was "aggressive" while defending Lively.

"Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, had aggressively berated Baldoni during a meeting at their penthouse in New York, accusing him of 'fat shaming' Lively," the lawsuit reads (per E! Online). "Baldoni, in an effort to avoid further confrontation with Lively and Reynolds and rebuild rapport with his co-star, continued to bend to her will."

While Baldoni admits he did ask a trainer "how much Lively weighed," the actor insists that he didn't intend the question as "fat-shaming" and that he had asked because of concern about his own "back issues" ahead of a scene in which his character was going to lift hers.

Baldoni's lawyers said that the trainer "relayed this information to Lively, who then informed Reynolds," which led to the "confrontation, according to People, which also reported that the actor's legal team described the incident as an "inappropriate and humiliating berating of Baldoni — delivered, perhaps intentionally, as other celebrity friends were coming in and out of their penthouse."

Lively described the incident (which she noted occurred four months after she gave birth to her fourth child), differently in her complaint, which stated that she "humiliated to learn" that Baldoni "secretly called her fitness trainer, without her knowledge or permission, and implied that he wanted her to lose weight in two weeks. Mr. Baldoni told the trainer that he had asked because he was concerned about having to pick Ms. Lively up in a scene for the movie, but there was no such scene."

For its part, the New York Times is standing behind its reporting on the piece and plans to "vigorously" defend against Baldoni's lawsuit.

"Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported," a spokesperson for the Times said in a statement to People. "It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article."

In spite of its massive success, however, Carpenter says she wasn't sure if "Espresso" would be a hit when she decided to release it as a summer single because, well, espressos are more of a fall vibe.

"I remember deciding to put this song out in the beginning of summer and thinking espresso, coffee is kind of more of a fall beverage," Carpenter told The Hollywood Reporter. "I really didn’t know if it would connect, but the sentiment and the sound of the song and the confidence that it kind of just carries along with it was something that I really believed in. So I had literally no idea that anyone would like it, but I liked it, and that was kind of all that mattered to me in that moment, and something I try to remember over and over again."

Spoiler alert: It connected. In fact, it connected so well that the song crossed into cultural phenomenon territory, inspiring a popular Saturday Night Live sketch starring Ariana Grande and leading directly to Carpenter's new partnership with Dunkin' and the creation the chain's Sabrina's Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso.

Carpenter called the Dunkin' collab a "no-brainer" and said the company's take on an "Espresso" inspired drink felt aligned with the mood of the song.

"I have this song called 'Espresso,' and when they approached me about it, I kind of realized that my window is closing for my coffee collab, and I didn’t really do it," she said when asked to share the origin story of the Dunkin' partnership. "We kind of had some moments when the song first came out, but nothing that felt really, really signature. This is just a drink I love so much, and they’ve been so supportive in kind of bringing the vision to life and keeping it really in the vein of 'Espresso,' which has been really fun."

So where do you go after having one of the verifiably most-listened-to songs of the year?

"Well, that is up to you guys, I would assume, or fate," Carpenter said when asked about what's next for her career. "But for me, I’m always sort of thinking one year ahead consistently. So, I sort of started the thought process of what would happen after Short n’ Sweet as I was making it, and that’s all I’ll say for now. But I’m very excited for the new year, because I think, again, I just allow myself the space to grow and have fun with it, not take it too seriously, and that’s what I’m going to try to do."

While promoting his new line of non-alcoholic beers, Bero, in a new interview with Men's Health, the Spider-Man actor opened up about his own decision to ditch alcohol back in January 2022.

Initially, Holland had only planned to take a one-month break from drinking, but once he stopped, he saw what a big part of his life social drinking had become.

“Every Friday after work was a write-off: Let’s get drunk and have a good time. I didn’t have bad experiences, but I would drink enough so that I would ruin my next day,” he explained, apparently adding that the aftereffects of his weekend drinking were intense enough that he talked to his doctor about his liver health.

According to the Men's Health profile, Holland "found his first month of sobriety unsettlingly difficult," and shared that one particular night out with his brother made him decide to commit to a longer stretch of sobriety than he'd initially planned. Although Holland had driven himself and his brother for the poker night they were attending, he felt like he needed a drink to enjoy himself and found himself asking his brother if he would be willing to drive them home so that he could drink—a move that surprised his brother and served as something of a wakeup call for Holland.

“It was a bit of an eye-opening moment for me and for him,” he explained. “It’s really helpful when the people closest to you start going, ‘Are you sure?’”

After that, Holland added a second month to his personal sobriety pledge—and kept adding a month at a time until he reached the six-month mark, when he considered ending his sober streak at his 26th-birthday party, but realized that he wasn't actually interested in drinking again and decided to maintain sober living as a lifestyle.

“I’m quite strong-willed. When I decide to do something, I’m really gonna do it,” he said of his process for going sober. “I leaned on close ones a lot: family, friends, old colleagues, new colleagues, people that reached out that I didn’t know who also were sober.”

The actor recalled one moment when leaning on outside support was particularly helpful. It came early on in his sobriety and he was craving a drink after a difficult week when his lawyer visited him in his hotel with some sober wisdom that really clicked.

“He gave me a really poignant piece of advice that helped me get through everything, which was: You’ll never wake up the morning after a night out and wish you had a drink," Holland said. "That piece of advice really rang true to me, because my problem was that I would have one drink and be fine, and then I would just go too far.”

First, Justin gave fans a look at the couple's New Year's Eve celebration with a picture of Hailey ringing in 2025 wearing a pink bikini under an open, cheetah-print fur coat, showing off her abs just four months after giving birth to their son, Jack Blues, in August.

Hailey accessorized her NYE look with a festive "Happy New Year" headband, Ugg boots, and two meaningful necklaces—one with a large, blingy "B" pendant and another with the initials "JBB," in honor of her son.

Justin made it clear that he was a big fan of the sexy look, captioning the pic, “Um. Goin anywhere with u bb," and adding "Happy new year" at the bottom of the image.

Hailey got 2025 started by sharing an intimate family photo of her own—a rare picture of her infant son.

In the black and white picture, Hailey's face can be seen in closeup, partially obscured by Jack's tiny little foot. She captioned the Instagram Story photo, “HNY 🐾😊."

Both posts come amid a recent round of rumors about the couple's marriage, which seem to trace back, at least in part, to a December 29 video shared by TikToker Sloan Hooks speculating about possible trouble in Justin and Hailey's relationship.

"I just received a tip about Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, and it doesn't look like things are going too well," Hooks says in the video, citing Instagram Story posts the couple shared that some interpreted as veiled messages about each other.

Specifically Hooks highlights a post Justin shared featured Jacquees' song "B.E.D.," which Hooks points out features lyrics about a man wanting sex and not love, and then post Hailey reportedly shared "20 minutes later," featuring SZA's song "30 for 30," including the lyrics, "But if it's f--k me, then f--k you."

@sloanhooks

♬ original sound - SLOAN

Hailey seemed to respond to speculation the next day with a post on her Instagram Story captioned, "Me to all of you on the Internet," over a TikTok video of eyegotthyme saying, "You're not well and it's OK. You've done made a lot of choices. The choices that you made done put you in situations that you hate. You don't want to be in those situations. You recognize every day when you wake up, 'F--k, this is the reality that I made for myself.'"

In November, a source close to the couple, who celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in September 2024, said Hailey and Justin don't let rumors about their relationship get to them.

“They laugh at the constant divorce rumors,” the insider told People. “It’s annoying but just noise.”

George, Louis and Charlotte delighted fans with their appearances (and hijinks) at Princess Kate's carol concert and the traditional Royal Family Christmas Day church walk in December, both signs that the Wales family was returning to routine after the princess finished chemotherapy in September.

Now that the Princess of Wales is easing back into royal duties, it seems that the kids might expect some "treats" this year. Royal author Ingrid Seward recently told Hello! that the Prince and Princess of Wales will likely want to take their kids on a few vacations after a difficult 2024.

"I think William and Kate might take the children skiing during the Easter holidays and will probably be planning a big summer holiday, because as far as we know they didn't go anywhere last year," she told the outlet.

"Kate will be wanting to spoil them a bit, because it's very frightening for children when their parents are that ill, so I think they will be up for a few treats this year," she added.

However, royal fans shouldn't expect to see the kids increase their public appearances in 2025, per Seward. "Like many famous parents, they are cautious about exposing the children to too much scrutiny in this digital age. They know they must produce the children at certain times, but I think they very much keep them under wraps the rest of the time."

Speaking to Marie Claire, royal biographer Robert Hardman agrees. "I don't think we're going to see them in any way being shunted into the public eye more than is reasonably expected," he says.

"We might see them at Easter at church, we'd expect to see them at The King's birthday parade in June, and after that really, if there's one of those sort of big charity events like Kate's carol concert," he tells Marie Claire. "I think there's definitely a view that they're not—we the public should not expect to see them any more than sort of official royal family gatherings."

However, the Making of a King author notes that the Wales children could potentially make an appearance during the 80th anniversary of VE Day in May, even if a full-family balcony appearance might not be in the cards. "That's a sort of moment where you do get street parties and big international events, so we might see them," he shares.

Per the Daily Mail, court documents revealed that Countess Spencer was informed by the earl that their marriage was over "by text message."

Earl Spencer, who married Karen in 2011 and shares 11-year-old daughter Lady Charlotte Diana with the countess, has also been accused of cheating on his wife with now-girlfriend Dr. Cat Jarman. Jarman, 42, is suing Countess Spencer, 52, for allegedly revealing her medical diagnosis of MS without consent.

According to the media outlet, Countess Spencer "compared notes with Dr. Jarman's husband, Tom Jarman" and per her High Court defense in the privacy suit, "discovered that their affair had been going on since at least November/December 2022 when the two of them were together in Norfolk (although more likely since 2021)."

The now-couple met when Dr. Jarman, who is an archaeologist, visited Spencer's home, Althorp House, for "an archaeological investigation" in 2021.

However, Earl Spencer—who shared a photo from his late sister's memorial at Althorp on Christmas Eve—denied the text message claims. Per the Daily Mail, he said, "The notion that I would end my marriage by text is an absurd attempt to blacken my name. Karen ended the marriage, after endless threats to do so over the years, in early March."

“She asked me to confirm the end of the marriage in a text on 18 March and my reply that day was a simple acceptance of her decision," he continued. "I have those texts still, and will share them in court when I clear my name.”

However, Countess Spencer's court papers claim that Earl Spencer "completely refused" to explain the divorce to his wife—a situation she felt was "both cruel and inexplicable."

An email Countess Spencer sent to Jarman was also included in her High Court defense. "First of all as a woman, I just have to tell you that I am so disappointed in you. Turning all of the children's lives upside down like this is so unbelievably immoral," the countess wrote.

"Good luck Cat, you're in for a hell of a ride," she ended the email. "I think that you'll find having him to deal with full-time will be much trickier than the odd five-day escape to Norfolk and a night or two in London here and there."

The Duchess of Sussex shared the trailer on her new Instagram account, @meghan, on Thursday, Jan. 2, writing, "I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it. Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support - and fun!"

Markle wears a gorgeous slate blue gown by Ulla Johnson in the promotional poster for her lifestyle show, and while the pleated silk dress definitely delivers some glamour, we wouldn't be surprised if she was barefoot underneath. Markle—who is arranging a bouquet of peonies in the photo—looks breezy and relaxed as she stands in front of a table covered in flowers (and what appears to be jars of her signature jam).

Moving on to the sun-drenched kitchen, the duchess gives viewers the full coastal grandmother aesthetic in relaxed button-up shirts and neutral separates. In one scene, she wears a loose white shirt with a pair of striped Zimmermann shorts, and in other clips, the Duchess of Sussex sports a beige knit tank from J.Crew along with an ivory knit shell from the brand. And while heading to a flower shop, she looks polished yet laid-back in a chambray shirt under a chic camel coat.

Throughout the trailer, Markle's neutral-toned wardrobe—think oatmeal-hued sweaters and crisp linen aprons—offers a masterclass in California casual.

However, it's not all button-ups and tees; the Duchess of Sussex brings back a blue ship-print Emilia Wickstead dress as she joins Mindy Kaling for a garden-themed tea party in a photo shared by British Vogue. It's a piece the duchess was first seen wearing in a photo on close friend Delfina Blaquier's Instagram Story during a 2022 barbecue.

It's a familiar aesthetic for the Duchess of Sussex, who sported a sleeveless cashmere turtleneck and linen trousers for an event with the Archewell Foundation's Welcome Project ahead of the holiday season. And of course, she's worn a number of similar looks in both her pre- and post-U.K. life, relying on favorites like skinny jeans, Hermès sandals and minimalist gold jewelry.

As for her new show, expect plenty of "tips and tricks" to create the perfect gatherings (and everyday moments) this year. "In With Love, Meghan, we join Meghan in the kitchen, garden—and even at the beehive—as she prepares to host friends both old and new," Netflix wrote in a press release. "Sharing some of her favorite tips and tricks for cooking, gardening, crafting, and more, Meghan reveals how even the most minute details can help add beauty to our lives and, most importantly, help bring people together."

All eight episodes of With Love, Meghan will stream on Netflix Jan. 15—and we're surely in for more fashionable moments once the show drops.

Former prisoner Francesca Fattore, 44, met the Princess of Wales at HMP Send in Surrey, England in 2020. At the time, Fattore had just completed a 12-week rehab program, and she was shocked at the way the royal treated her.

Discussing her meeting with Princess Kate, Fattore told the Express, "Do you know what? The one thing that surprised me about Kate was how she didn't judge—she just didn't care that I was a prisoner." Fattore continued, "The way she was with me, it was just like I was a normal person."

Unfortunately, Fattore hasn't always found people to be as accepting, so Kate's attitude had a lasting impact on the former prisoner. "You have so many people out there judging prisoners and ex-prisoners yet she supports rehabilitation there and I was just shocked that someone like her sat next to me and saw me as equal," Fattore told the outlet.

A former drug dealer whose life was negatively impacted by drugs, Fattore suggested that Princess Kate helped her make positive changes after prison. "I think the main thing that will stay with me...I said to her I was really nervous and I was shaking, literally," Fattore told the outlet. "But she just sat down next to me and I said, 'I am so nervous,' and she said, 'Don’t be silly it is fine.' She just made me feel so relaxed then as well."

Fattore continued, "I said to her that prison was the best thing that happened to me and she said, 'Why do all prisoners say that to me?' She was really shocked that going to prison was the best thing that happened to me."

The former prisoner also referenced Princess Kate's cancer journey, noting that her own mother has been diagnosed with the condition. "If I could give a message to her, it would be to say she is amazing," Fattore said. "I would love to tell her again that I feel so blessed to have met her and it is one of the biggest things that has ever happened to me."

Fattore continued, "She is an inspiration to so many women—she is amazing, genuine, and I think she is an absolutely amazing woman."

While watching BBC2 documentary Princess Margaret: The Royal Rebel in 2020, British TV presenter Fern Britton took to X to write (via the Daily Mail), "Watching the documentary about Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon on @BBC2. I interviewed Lord Snowdon about 12 years ago and I can tell you he was the most spectacularly rude and uncooperative interviewee I have ever met. And I've met a few so, Bravo!"

As reported by the Daily Mail, Britton wasn't the only person to experience Snowdon's alleged rudeness. During an appearance on BBC series Great Lives, Armstrong-Jones was meant to discuss his admiration of Mini designer Alec Issigonis. However, "he reportedly demanded a glass of wine and seemed to have little interest in or knowledge of Issigonis," the Daily Mail explained. "His behavior made the presenter feel as though Snowdon regretted even agreeing to feature on the show."

It would seem that Princess Margaret had just as many detractors as her former husband. Sir Roy Strong, who had been an attendee at Princess Margaret's dinner parties, reportedly didn't have much affection for the royal. Per the Daily Mail, Strong called Margaret "so inconsiderate" in a diary entry, and revealed that he "really couldn't stand any more of it."

Strong explained, "This was a Princess who never seemed to think of anything other than everyone's role to fulfill her slightest whim."

Royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward spoke to OK! magazine about the late Queen's special relationship with Duchess Sophie. "With the exception of her daughter Anne, the Queen was closer to Sophie than any of the other royal women," Seward told the outlet. "It really was a genuine closeness, and Elizabeth was always Sophie's biggest confidante."

As for why Sophie was deemed so special by the late monarch, Seward told the publication, "The Queen found her very down to earth, because she refused to have expensive security and things like that, and she loved her lack of airs and graces. I think she saw Sophie as a bit of a surrogate daughter, too."

Royal expert Katie Nicholl also opened up about Duchess Sophie's connection to the late Queen, saying (via OK!), "Sophie had a wonderful relationship with the Queen, and she never saw it as a chore." Nicholl continued, "She was very willing to step up and provide support when needed, and she did it with quiet enthusiasm, and always with a cheerful smile. I think in return, Elizabeth learned not just to rely on Sophie, but to trust her implicitly."

Duchess Sophie also had a lot in common with her mother-in-law, according to Seward. "They had a real love of military history in common," the expert explained. "Sophie apparently once went to the First World War battlefields and museums of northern France, which obviously the Queen wasn't able to do. So Sophie rang her from there to tell her about it."

Per OK!, courtiers previously shared that it was Duchess Sophie who managed to convince Queen Elizabeth to watch The Crown. The Queen's decision to watch the Netflix hit, and point out discrepancies, was evidence of the implicit trust she had in her daughter-in-law.

"I think she saw in Sophie a very sensible young woman, and she was quick to welcome her into the inner circle," Nicholl explained. "Sophie knew her place in the hierarchy of The Firm, and never caused any problems. Even in the early days, when there was a bit of drama surrounding her, the Queen stood by her."

Fans were previously in the dark as to what the show—which features cooking, gardening, and other home and lifestyle content—was called, but in her new post, the duchess revealed the eight-part series is titled With Love, Meghan and will stream on Netflix Jan. 15.

"I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it," she captioned the Instagram video. "Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support - and fun!"

She signed the post, "As ever, Meghan."

In the clip, which is set to the 1960s hit "Do You Believe in Magic," Markle channels a mix of Martha Stewart and fellow Montecito, California resident Gwyneth Paltrow as she whips up some recipes, selects flowers at a shop, toasts with friends and even dons a beekeeper suit.

"I've always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it," she says in a voiceover," adding that she enjoys "surprising people with moments that let them know I was really thinking of them."

Mindy Kaling also stars in the clip, exclaiming, "What?! This is probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life" as Meghan covers her face and laughs.

Regarding her show's content, the Duchess of Sussex says she's "going to share some little tips and tricks" for viewers that she's learned over the years. "This is about connecting with friends, making new friends and just learning" she shares as footage of the duchess wearing an apron next to longtime makeup artist Daniel Martin plays.

Per Netflix, all eight episodes, which were filmed in Montecito, will drop on Jan. 15.

"In each episode, Meghan invites friends old and new to roll up their sleeves and join her in the kitchen, garden, and beyond," the streamer wrote in a press release. "Whether Meghan is sharing personal tips and tricks, or taking the opportunity to learn something new, it’s a time for connection. Guests include Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, with additional acclaimed chefs and special friends."

This marks Markle's second Instagram Reel on her new @meghan account, with her first post featuring a video of herself running through across a beach in a white outfit and writing "2025" in the sand.

As for what each episode holds, tune into Netflix on Jan. 15.

Unstoppable tells the inspirational true story of athlete Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and defied expectations by becoming a champion wrestler in college. In the movie, Lopez plays Judy Robles, who overcame obstacles of her own (including financial hardships and domestic violence) while raising Anthony as a single mother.

The real Judy Robles has been joining Lopez in promoting the film and, according to Variety, has earned standing ovations at screenings of the movie.

“I tell her all the time, ‘You need to own who you are and what you’ve done,’” Lopez told Variety of the inspiring woman she plays in Unstoppable. “You’re inspiring every mother who has ever struggled. You really have triumphed. You’ve raised a son who has become a leader, and you deserve credit.’ But she’s very humble.”

Lopez also touched on the similarities between Judy's story and her own during the interview.

“We both grew up Latina in this country," Lopez said. "We both had children and have hopes and dreams for them. We both had challenging relationships, which left us holding our families together.”

While Lopez didn't elaborate on the "challenging relationships" she's dealt with in her own life, the comment came amid the actress and singer's divorce from Ben Affleck. Instead of lingering on the specific challenges she and Judy Robles have faced, Lopez turned the conversation toward the ways those challenges made them both stronger in the long-run.

“From the minute women are born, we’re always having to prove ourselves, to show we’re good enough,” she explained. “That creates a type of strength. And then a lot of us give birth—and there’s nothing that makes you stronger than doing that.”

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, the brother of Princess Diana, had four children with his first wife, Victoria Aitken, formerly known as Victoria, Countess Spencer. The couple, who divorced in 1997, welcomed daughter Lady Kitty Spencer, twin girls Lady Eliza Spencer and Lady Amelia Spencer, and son Louis Frederick John Spencer, Viscount Althorp during their marriage.

According to The Sun, Charles and Victoria's children "grew up abroad and away from the limelight," with the outlet noting that Princess Diana's nieces subsequently earned a "wild child" label.

In 2016, Lady Kitty opened up about her royal aunt in an interview with Vanity Fair. "I was so young [when Diana was alive]," Kitty explained to the outlet. "There are only a few memories, but special memories and happy memories, and I'm so lucky to have those."

Just last year, twins Amelia and Eliza reflected on their own memories of Princess Diana. As the family grew up in South Africa, they were somewhat removed from the incessant press attention surrounding their aunt in the United Kingdom. Recalling a photographer approaching them once when they were with Diana, Eliza explained to Tatler in 2024, "Obviously it could have been quite terrifying for us, being so young and not understanding what was happening. But she turned it into a game of who could get back to the car first." Eliza continued, "It was amazing how she protected us in a way that made us feel safe and not frightened. We had no idea what she was doing at the time."

When Charles Spencer told the twins that Diana had died, Eliza replied, "But not in real life, Daddy," per Tatler. "She thought it was such a terrible story that it must be a fairytale," the outlet reported.

Eliza told Tatler that Diana was "incredibly warm, maternal and loving. She always made an effort to connect with us as children and had a talent for reading children's hearts." Understandably, Diana's death was life-changing for the entire family. "As a child, I realized the enormity of the loss for my father and family," Eliza explained. "It was only later that I came to understand the significance of the loss of her as a figure in the world."

The three women have since followed in Diana's footsteps in several ways, from displaying their fashion prowess to supporting multiple charitable endeavors. It would seem as though Princess Diana's influence will continue to impact Kitty, Eliza, and Amelia throughout their lives.

Speaking to Marie Claire, royal biographer Robert Hardman says a balcony appearance to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—which is coming up in May—probably isn't happening, and there's a good reason why.

"I think The King has a view—he certainly felt they were very overexposed in 2022 and 2023 given you had the Platinum Jubilee, then The Queen's death, then the coronation," Hardman shares. "There was an awful lot of royal air time. He gets the fact that you don't want to overdo it."

Referencing the close timeline between the VE Day celebrations in early May and Trooping the Colour in June, the Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy author continues, "I think if you had all the family on the balcony in May for VE Day, then had them all back on the balcony again a month later for his birthday, it might fill a bit like overkill."

"People have an appetite to see the family, but it's a limited appetite, so you don't want to push it," the royal expert adds.

Hardman says that as for the Royal Family, the public should "expect to see them at events, but not necessarily a balcony," pointing out that during the 50th anniversary of VE Day in 1995, "there was a balcony appearance, but it was only The Queen, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother because they were on the balcony in 1945 and they were part of that wartime generation."

"Given there are no [senior] royals left who were part of that wartime generation, this is a day for the veterans, not a day for the monarchy," he adds.

However, Hardman does think fans could potentially see Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the "big commemorations" in May. "That's a sort of moment where you do get street parties and big international events, so we might see them."

He continues that Prince William and Prince Harry made an appearance with their parents during the 1995 commemorations, even though the then-Prince and Princess of Wales were separated at the time.

"It was deemed appropriate for Charles, Diana, and both boys to appear in public together for the 50th anniversary of VE Day, so maybe the 80th will be an opportunity to see the [Wales] kids out and about," Hardman notes.

Speaking to the Mirror, royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop agreed that a full family photo op doesn't seem to be in the cards. "All the royals, Harry included, do remembrance well and May 2025 sees the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two," Dunlop said.

However, she added that "a balcony shot with the whole Windsor clan is probably too much to ask for."

In past years, such as the 60th and 70th anniversaries of VE Day, members of the Royal Family attended a service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, making it likely that there will be another service planned for May.

And while specific plans for the VE Day celebrations haven't yet been announced, there will certainly be plenty of royal commemorations for this historic event—even if there's not a balcony moment.

"To avoid any misunderstandings in the press: Unfortunately, we cannot attend church today," she wrote on Instagram. "Durek is in the hospital receiving dialysis, which he has to have 3 times a week, and today is one of those days. I am very ill, and cannot come because of that."

Princess Märtha Louise further noted that she had no pleasure in feeling the need to dispel any potential rumors about her husband and family. "Sad that we have to justify why we are not at church, so as not to create speculation that there is discord in the family, which there is not," she wrote. "We still love each other. Fortunately. We would have attended if we could. But it didn’t work out this year. Merry Christmas!"

Speculation about the couple's relationship with the Norwegian Royal Family springs from the fact that Verrett is a self-styled shaman and alternative therapist. Verrett is known for his work in Los Angeles with celebrity clientele, which reportedly includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Nina Dobrev.

Prior to their wedding, Princess Märtha Louise defended Verrett against what she called "lies" attempting to discredit him, his upbringing, and his career.

"[Nordic publication] Se og Hør just repeats the lies until everybody believes them," she wrote on Instagram. "This time they are repeating the lie that Durek was not from a wealthy family as a child (because his mom says so who got money from spreading whatever lies she could), when the truth is that he grew up in a good neighborhood, his mom left him at an early age and it was in reality his mom not having money, not him. She wasn’t even around."

She continued, "Durek's father’s bankruptcy came after Durek moved out, so he was not affected by his father’s bankruptcy.”

On New Year's Eve, the 44-year-old Grammy winner decided to close out 2024 by sharing a video with a montage of highlights from her year. While the video included plenty of good memories from Aguilera's best moments of 2024, it opened with a slew of screenshots of comments she's been bombarded with from people weighing in on her appearance.

The screenshots Aguilera used to open the video included critical comments calling her "fake" and unrecognizable, declaring that she no longer looks like herself, as well as praise for her appearance with comments suggesting she looks like her 2002 self and that a "time machine" or "witchcraft" must be involved in her youthful look. The point is clear: Positive or negative, everyone seems to have an opinion about the "Beautiful" singer's looks.

In voiceover included in the video's audio track, Aguilera talks about being "shamed," "labeled," and "judged" and striving for confidence.

"This year, doing something a little different," she wrote in the post's caption. "This is a reminder to everyone that you are your OWN STORYTELLER in your OWN LIFE. No one else can dictate who you are. No one deserves an explanation."

The declaration that "no one deserves an explanation" calls back to comments Aguilera made earlier this year about her decision not to engage with rumors that recent changes in her appearance are a result of Ozempic use.

“I have a maturity now where I just don’t give a fuck about your opinion. I’m not going to take it on,” Aguilera said in her August cover story interview with Glamour. “It must be your responsibility to take up your space. Other people’s opinions of me are not my business.”

In her end-of-2024 Instagram post caption, Aguilera reflected the ubiquity of judgement from others and the importance of self-acceptance in dealing with that judgement.

"I am evolved enough to know that nothing comes easy and no one is perfect," she continued. "Everyone will judge you. No matter WHAT you do. And/or what you don’t do. Acceptance comes with accepting yourself first. And the difficult journey it takes sometimes to get there. I celebrate everyone taking the time to put one step in front of the next everyday in order to build the next version of themselves for the better. Allowing yourself grace, patience and respect..."

So to recap, the Aguilera-approved approach to a better life in 2025 includes accepting yourself, owning your own story, and not letting outside judgements live rent free in your mind, which honestly sounds like a pretty good plan for, well, literally everyone.

While legal experts say a number of factors contributed to the former couple's drawn-out divorce process, a source close to Pitt says one factor topped the list when it came to his decision to finally settle: His girlfriend, Ines de Ramon.

The jewelry designed reportedly pushed Pitt to put an end to the legal battle—which began the better part of a decade ago, when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016—so that their life together could move forward.

“He was influenced by Ines to finally settle,” an insider close to Pitt and de Ramon told Page Six. “Ines wants to have a life together—with possibly children in the future—without the albatross that was the eight-year War of the Roses.”

Pitt and de Ramon were first linked in November 2022, when they were spotted backstage at a Los Angeles Bono concert together and, in February 2024, a source confirmed to People that the couple had moved in together. That source described the decision as the "natural" next step for the couple and said the actor "couldn't be happier" and has "found his spark again" since he started seeing de Ramon.

And it sounds like things can get even better for the couple now that he and Jolie have reached their divorce settlement.

“She has made [it known that] her opinion is that life would be much more enjoyable with this settled,” the Page Six source added of de Ramon encouraging Pitt to settle.

A second source told the outlet that de Ramon is a "positive influence" on Pitt in general, adding that she "has a really good perspective on things"—including the need for Pitt to end the contentious divorce.

"It’s sad how this whole thing has played out, but at least this is progress in the right direction," the source said of the lengthy legal battle. “Both sides realized it was time to move on. It was mutually beneficial to get it done with.”

For her part, Jolie is reportedly happy to have the divorce settled, too. A source close to the actress told People that the 8-year-long process was "horrendous" for Jolie and her lawyer confirmed in a statement that she's "exhausted," but "relieved this one part is over" (Pitt and Jolie's legal battle over their French winery, Chateau Miraval, remains ongoing—possibly forever).

Just days after the actress filed suit again Baldoni detailing the sexual harassment she says she experienced on the film's set and his alleged campaign to publicly "destroy" her reputation and undermine her credibility, a source told People Lively hasn't been letting the legal battle dominate her private life.

"She enjoyed the holidays and very much tries to live in the moment right now," the insider revealed.

Still, Lively isn't in denial about what lies ahead as her complaint moves forward and the source says that, even as she's been spending time with loved ones over the holidays, the actress has stayed "in contact with her team" and "knows she'll have an explosive start to the new year."

Lively is prepared for the long battle ahead of her. As People notes, her initial December 20 complaint with the California Civil Rights Department is a prerequisite to bringing a workplace harassment lawsuit in California—and could be the first step for what the outlet's report says "has the potential to be an ugly legal battle."

The insider says Lively is prepared for whatever ugliness pursuing the suit might bring though.

"She still believes she's doing the right thing," the source added. "She's ready to tackle whatever comes her way."

Since news of Lively's lawsuit broke, several of her friends, former co-stars, and others in the industry who say they've endured similar treatment over the years have spoken out in support of the actress.

And, at home, she has the constant support of her husband, Ryan Reynolds, another source recently told People.

"Ryan is always her rock," the source explained just two days after news of the lawsuit broke. "They have such a special relationship. He's very proud of her in so many ways."

As for how Charles and Camilla managed to save so much money, their decision to fly commercial for most of the trip definitely helped, via People. As reported by the outlet (and The Telegraph), King Charles and Queen Camilla's royal tour of Australia and Samoa cost a total of $372,797, or approximately $62,000 per day. This figure included everything necessary for the royal tour, from travel costs and accommodation, to the couple's meals, events they attended, and general hospitality.

Conversely, both of Queen Elizabeth's most recent trips to Australia cost considerably more than her son's visit. As reported by The Telegraph and People, the late Queen's 2006 visit, which lasted a total of five days, cost a whopping $899,701. When the former monarch returned to Australia in 2011, for an 11-day visit incorporating stops in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth, the trip cost a jaw-dropping $1.6 million.

Despite costing a lot less money, Charles and Camilla's royal tour was definitely eventful. The Australian public went wild during The King and Queen's visit, in spite of republican sentiments putting a stop to some meetings with the royals.

During a visit to the Australian Parliament in Canberra on October 21, 2024, Aboriginal Australian senator Lidia Thorpe interrupted King Charles and shared her dismay at his presence. "You are not our king," she told him, via The New York Times. "Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us."

Thorpe referenced past abuses and colonial genocide, and then requested that the United Kingdom enter into a treaty with Australia’s Indigenous population. "Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people," Thorpe shouted at Charles. "You destroyed our land."

As Australia is a constitutional monarchy, Charles is technically King, but has very limited powers within the country.

Eagle-eyed royal fans noticed a terse exchange between Kate and Camilla when they attended Queen Elizabeth's funeral and committal service on September 19, 2022.

According to OK! magazine, lip reader Jeremy Freeman noted that, at one point during the event, Prince George seemed to be trying to pinch his sister, Princess Charlotte. Visibly upset, Princess Charlotte apparently shouted, "Ow!" and turned to look at George. Per Freeman, Queen Camilla reacted to the exchange, and allegedly told Kate, "Take her!"

As reported by the Express, viewers apparently noticed the altercation, with one individual writing on social media, "Looks like Prince George and Princess Charlotte have a small disagreement. Look at The Queen Consort, Camilla!"

While lip reader Freeman didn't recount Princess Kate's response, it would seem as though she didn't take too kindly to the strict instruction. However, it's unclear whether Kate responded to Camilla's alleged comments or not.

Royal biographer Tom Quinn previously spoke to The Daily Beast about Princess Kate's parenting methods. "I have heard that Kate has been very good at both accepting the way the system works, but also slightly subversively modifying it," Quinn told the outlet. "[Kate] insisted that William was involved in bedtime, reading to the kids and bathing them, and they split the school run."

Meanwhile, Prince William and Princess Kate reportedly declined to have servants to permanently care for their children. "I think it would surprise people to see how ordinary things are at home," a source told the Daily Mail. "The children help with laying the table, clearing their plates when they've finished eating and helping with tidying up. There's no preferential treatment."

Amid reports that Swift plans to make Nashville her home base as she settles into her post-Eras Tour era based in large part on its proximity to Kelce's home in Kansas City, a source close to the couple told the outlet that the NFL tight end is putting the relationship front and center when it comes to shaping his future plans, too.

"Taylor and Travis are all in with each other, that is a simple fact everyone can agree with but as it pertains to where they will live in the foreseeable future, especially together will be judged by a few factors," the Daily Mail source said, adding that Swift would love for Kelce to join her in Nashville—and he plans to do just that.

The insider added that, while the couple's goal is to spend as much time together as possible, the next few months—and, particularly, how the rest of the Chiefs' season plays out—will be pivotal in shaping Kelce's upcoming decisions about his career and, by extension, what the next few years will look like for the pair.

"He's not ready to retire, but if the Chiefs win a third consecutive Super Bowl, Travis will be more prone to retire after his current contract that expires in 2027 and ride off into the sunset and look to start a family with Taylor anywhere she wants, which is leaning towards Nashville," the source said, having previously told the outlet that several factors have made Nashville Swift's top pick for where she and Kelce should start the next phase of their life together.

"New York City is exciting, and Taylor will always consider this home. But she is growing, as is their relationship, and she feels that it is time for her to establish roots in the ground for her future," the source explained. "Nashville is the place where she started her career, and this is all coming full circle. They both love the city....It is beautiful and it offers them the peace and tranquility with the assurance of safety that they both require."

Wherever Swift and Kelce land as they build their life together and whatever steps they take in their respective careers as they do so, the source stresses the decisions will be made together.

"It's been a discussion on what is next," the source said, adding that Swift and Kelce's discussions about their future have "all been productive and they are so on the same page."

As much as this news might sound like a hoax or strange, collective internet fever dream, it's neither. On Sunday, December 29, the Fenty Beauty founder made a surprise appearance at the Girls Love Karaoke event in New York City, where she performed two songs from her 2016 album, Anti (and low-key trolled fans in the process).

In videos of the performance that fans shared online, Rihanna sings her tracks "Needed Me" and "Sex With Me" after warning the audience that she could only spare five minutes because her “battery” was “about to burn out," according to People.

@fentysflo

♬ Originalton - fentysflo

The reaction from fans who heard Rihanna's impromptu karaoke performance was mixed. Some focused on the excitement of the moment happening at all with comments like "Imagine going to [karaoke] night and you get a free Rihanna performance," others went in on the performance, criticizing her vocals as "horrible," and roasting the singer with jokes like "the mic was bleeding" and "My cat can sing better.”

@musicnewsz

♬ som original - Music News

Others took a much more playful view of Rihanna's performance as the singer purposefully embracing the bad singing stereotype of karaoke and/or just having a great time without caring how her vocals sounded.

"Say what you about Rihanna’s singing at a drunken karaoke event, however she will always be THAT GIRL," one fan said while defending the performance on X. "The MIC is always ON and that TONE is unmatched. 😘."

Another chimed in on the sheer relatability of the moment, writing on X, "that karaoke video of Rihanna? can’t really hate on her because I sound just like that when I am drunk and out having fun with friends 😭."

And, of course, there were some who took the moment as an opportunity to call for new music from the singer, adding to what she described in a 2023 interview with British Vogue as "toxic pressure" she feels to top Anti with her next album.

"There’s this pressure that I put on myself. That if it’s not better than that then it is not even worth it," she said at the time, adding that it's not a healthy way to approach creating music, which should be "an outlet and a space to create, and you can create whatever."

FWIW, the "Born Again" singer added during that interview that she doesn't plan to let the toxic pressure stop her from releasing more music in the future.

“I realized that if I keep waiting until this feels right and perfect and better, maybe it’s going to keep taking forever and maybe it’ll never come out and no, I’m not down to that," she said. "So I want to play. And by play, I mean I have my ideas in my head, but I can’t say them out loud yet.”

Prior to becoming a member of the Royal Family, Meghan Markle ran a now-defunct lifestyle blog called The Tig. Back in 2016, Meghan wrote, "These make my New Year's resolution list nearly (AKA actually every) single year. The swearing comes in lulls, triggered by being overworked or feeling mighty cheeky after a couple drinks."

Meghan continued, "And when it comes to the biting of the nails—well, it still happens with a turbulent flight or a stressful day. It's unladylike. But then again, so is the swearing. Dammit."

However, Meghan clearly wanted to make changes in 2016, and dropped some seriously inspirational words after her nail-biting and swearing suggestions. "This year, I resolve not to have a resolution," she wrote. "For this new year, the only thing I aim to do is to approach life playfully." She continued, "To laugh and enjoy, to keep my standards high but my level of self-acceptance higher."

Almost as if she knew something extraordinary was in store for her, the Duchess of Sussex wrote, "My New Year's resolution is to leave room for magic. To make my plans, and be okay if they sometimes break. To set my goals, but to be open to change."

If you've been struggling to make your own list of resolutions, it certainly wouldn't hurt to borrow some of Meghan's ideas for 2024.

As reported by The Sun, royal fans waiting outside of the church in Sandringham listened to the festive service via loud speakers. During the sermon, Rev. Canon Paul Williams reportedly showed the crowd a Terry's Chocolate Orange, a traditional festive U.K. treat, which is formed in segments, just like the fruit. After asking the congregation if they knew how to separate the segments, he said, "You have to tap it and unwrap it." And that's when Prince Louis stepped in to make everyone laugh.

According to royal fans listening outside, Williams instructed Prince Louis to "just drop" the chocolate item on the floor. The instruction was "followed by a loud bang as the treat slammed into the floor," per The Sun. It would seem that Louis was perhaps a little over enthusiastic in "dropping" the Chocolate Orange, which reportedly caused a lot of laughter.

Prince Louis' comedy routine wasn't the only unforgettable thing to occur at Sandringham on Christmas Day. Princess Kate and Queen Camilla twinned in matching green outfits. King Charles' "hot equerry" was on hand to help Kate carry gifts from royal fans. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were showered in gifts by well-wishers. And Princess Kate's decision to interact with everyone in the crowd drew comparisons to her mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Meanwhile, royal author Ingrid Seward spoke to Hello! magazine about the difficulties Prince Louis and his siblings have overcome following their mom Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis in 2024. "Kate will be wanting to spoil them a bit, because it's very frightening for children when their parents are that ill, so I think they will be up for a few treats this year," Seward said. "I think William and Kate might take the children skiing during the Easter holidays and will probably be planning a big summer holiday, because as far as we know they didn't go anywhere last year," the royal expert explained.

"Kate will be wanting to spoil them a bit, because it's very frightening for children when their parents are that ill, so I think they will be up for a few treats this year," royal author Ingrid Seward told Hello! magazine.

According to Seward, Prince William and Princess Kate will likely take their children on vacation in 2025, to make up for what must have been an awful 2024. "I think William and Kate might take the children skiing during the Easter holidays and will probably be planning a big summer holiday, because as far as we know they didn't go anywhere last year," the royal expert explained.

Seward also noted that Princess Kate and Prince William continue to exercise caution when it comes to including their children in public events. "Like many famous parents, they are cautious about exposing the children to too much scrutiny in this digital age," the expert told the outlet. "They know they must produce the children at certain times, but I think they very much keep them under wraps the rest of the time."

Despite having seriously famous parents, George, Charlotte, and Louis' lives are relatively calm when compared to previous generations of royal children. "These kids have a much more ordinary and informal life than their predecessors, because they're not surrounded by nannies and staff; they're very much with their parents," Seward noted. "The three of them seem to get on incredibly well; they're close in age, they all enjoy sports, they're bound by the situation they're in and they're all in it together. And I think that makes them all closer."

The duchess previously shared plenty of moments from her life under @meghanmarkle, but the account was deactivated in January 2018, shortly after her engagement to Prince Harry. The Sussexes also had their own official royal Instagram account, @sussexroyal, which the duke and duchess stopped using once they stepped down as senior royals. But with the impending launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, it seems she's ready to share personal moments once again.

Her first post is a Reel that Marie Claire understands was captured by Prince Harry at a local beach near their home in Montecito, California. In the video, Meghan, dressed in all white, runs across the sand and bends down to write "2025" before giggling and heading out of the frame.

In August 2023, Marie Claire reported that the duchess was rumored to be returning to Instagram after securing the @meghan handle. However, it was unclear if the account was definitely hers, and a full year after it went up, there were no posts...until now.

The Duchess of Sussex's return to Instagram is not under the umbrella of royal titles or official duties, but rather as a private individual looking to connect with her audience in a more personal, authentic manner. The move is especially significant because of the duchess's work with the Archewell Foundation's Parents Network, which helps families who have been negatively impacted by social media.

It's understood that Meghan will be sharing personal moments in a hope to demonstrate that social media can be used as a positive tool to spread joy and connection.

As for her next Instagram post, watch this space.

In a new interview, royal commentator Katie Nicholl opened up about Duchess Sophie's alleged role within the Royal Family and its key relationships. She told OK! magazine, "Sophie is a very popular member of the family because she's easy-going, there's never any drama, and she just gets on with the job, quietly and diligently." Nicholl also called Sophie a "bridge between generations," who has allegedly been a support to Prince William, Prince Harry, and their respective families.

"She was very supportive in those years when William and Prince Harry fell out," Nicholl claimed. According to the royal expert, the Duchess of Edinburgh "was among the few people who understood how difficult it was behind-the-scenes, and rumor has it she played a bit of a peacekeeper."

Nicholl claimed that "Sophie and Catherine are very close... much more so than people realize." In fact, the Duchess of Edinburgh appears to be friendly with most people within the Royal Family, including Queen Camilla.

"Sometimes you get a glimpse of Sophie and Camilla at official engagements, and you can see the smiles aren't just for the cameras," Nicholl told the outlet. "They genuinely get along, and if you look at their interests, particularly around women empowerment, there's a lot of common ground."

Nicholl also suggested that Sophie, who was once called the "Royal Family's secret weapon," has become so prominent in royal circles precisely "because she never got overly involved in all the internal politics."

Throughout 2024, during which Princess Kate underwent treatment for cancer, "Sophie and Prince Edward have been there emotionally for William and Catherine," Nicholl explained. As a result, the close friendship between the two couples was reportedly "cemented." "They live close to each other in Windsor, and the Edinburghs have visited them at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, too," according to the royal expert.

Ultimately, it seems that Duchess Sophie could be a key figure within the Royal Family for years to come.

"These last eight years have been such a horrendous time for her and her family," a source close to Jolie told People after news of the divorce settlement broke.

The source's description of the years-long ordeal as "horrendous" fits with the statement her divorce attorney, James Simon of Hersh Mannis, released Monday, in which he said the actress was "exhausted," but "relieved" that the settlement has finally been reached.

"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," the statement read. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."

Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, following an incident on a private plane, during which the actress claimed Pitt was abusive toward their six children. The actor was investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and eventually cleared and Jolie declined to press charges—a decision the People source also touched on.

"She could have pressed charges against him. She could have told the world what happened. She didn’t," the source added. "All she wanted was for Brad to get the help he needed and for their children to get the support they needed to heal."

Although all six of the couple's children were minors when Jolie filed for divorce (and custody disputes were reportedly a part of the settlement negotiations), now only two are still under 18—twins Knox and Vivienne, who are 16. The four older children—Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18—are all legally adults and have "virtually no contact" with Pitt, a source told People earlier this year.

Even with the lingering issues in the family (and the former couple's continuing legal battle over a French winery they owned together), finalizing the settlement is a weight off Jolie's shoulders, according to the source, who added that "It gives her some relief" that "this part is finally over."

According to the Daily Mail, the "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" singer is putting her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce first when it comes to making some big decisions, post-Eras Tour.

A source told the outlet that recent reports that Swift plans to make Nashville her home base for the time being are a prime example of how her relationship with Kelce is impacting her choices and priorities.

"Taylor has grown up a lot in the past couple of years," the source said. "Falling in love with Travis so deeply has shifted her priorities around a bit and has given her a new outlook on life."

According to the Daily Mail, Swift decided to make her Nashville residence her home base over her homes in New York City, Los Angeles, and Rhode Island because of its proximity to Kansas City, which is apparently only a 90-minute flight away from her Tennessee home.

"New York City is exciting, and Taylor will always consider this home," she source said of Swift's decision to spend less time in her beloved Tribeca townhouse as she settles into life after her Eras Tour. "But she is growing, as is their relationship, and she feels that it is time for her to establish roots in the ground for her future."

The source stressed that Swift "will always have her home in NYC, as well as her other homes around the world," even if she decides to spend more time elsewhere going forward—especially as she and Kelce take the next steps in their relationship.

"Ideally, she and Travis will live together in one home as they start a family," the source said. "This is no different than any other couple with a family."

And if and when the couple decides to start a family, Nashville would be a meaningful place for Swift to take that step.

"Nashville is the place where she started her career, and this is all coming full circle. They both love the city," the insider added. "It is beautiful and it offers them the peace and tranquility with the assurance of safety that they both require."

Now she's reflecting on it all in new Instagram post filled with many behind-the-scenes snaps from all of the above happenings, including a sweet photo of Grande with her new boyfriend, Ethan Slater. "A year full of art and heart 𖦹 ｡˚ฺ ｡˚·ꕤ.ﾟ!" Grande wrote in the caption. "Thank you eternally for your love and support, words truly don’t suffice. i love you always and am wishing you a all a very happy new year!"

The post drew comments from several friends and family members, including her co-star (and SNL staple) Bowen Yang, and her brother, Frankie. "What a beautiful gorgeous incredible year," the elder Grande wrote.

"So happy to have made so many beautiful memories together and get to watch you beam your light out all over the world in the most brilliant ways. I love you so much. Happy new year Ari. COME ON 2025! HERE WE GO! 🫧"

Grande also posted a few accompanying Instagram Stories with further reflective messaging about the past year of art and work.

"Somehow, all of my favorite projects happened this year," she wrote in one. "And I was able to create with so many of my favorite people."

Another Instagram Story was directed at her fans and their loyalty to her. "Thank you to my sweet, incredible angels for your love and support year round," she wrote. "You have made me feel so seen and held. I love growing with you and seeing where art, life and inspiration takes us together."

"Here's to another year with you," she wrote with a heart, "thank you for everything. I'll never ever take you, our bond, or our memories for granted."

With another Wicked film on the horizon, it feels all but certain 2025 will also be a banner year for Grande.

To say that Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet are still going strong would be accurate, but it would also be an understatement. According to a new report from People, things have been going so well that the couple is taking a big step forward in their relationship—or, more specifically, in Chalamet's relationship with Jenner's kids.

Although the pair have been going strong for more than a year and half, Jenner wanted to take things slow when it came to integrating Chalamet into the lives of her two children, Stormi, 6, and Aire, 2. Now, a source close to the Kylie Cosmetics founder says, she's ready to make Chalamet part of her family.

"They had an early Christmas celebration together before Kylie spent Christmas Day with her family,” the source says. “It took Kylie a long time to introduce him to her kids. He's part of the family now though. Her kids know him as a 'friend.'”

Earlier this month, a source told Page Six about the pair's early Christmas celebration with Stormi and Aire, revealing that they "had a really nice dinner together with Kylie’s family, and they drove around to look at Christmas lights" and adding that "the kids had a really magical time, and Kylie and Timothée made some very special memories together."

Jenner and Chalamet were first linked in April 2023 and, although they have kept their relationship relatively low-key and private, they've never hidden their feelings for each other during the times they have been spotted together in public either (see: their notorious Golden Globes PDA in January and their cuddly meatball-fueled date in NYC in October) and insiders have described the relationship as serious for a while now.

“Her relationship with him is great and very easy," People's most recent Jenner/Chalamet source said. "He's super supportive of her priorities and he works around her schedule a lot. They are both committed to making it work."

So it sounds like we all get to keep on keeping up with these two for, well, potentially forever (and maybe someday, if we all wish really hard, Keeping Up With the Jenner-Chalamets can leave our collective imaginations and jump onto our screens—probably not, but maybe, right?).

The singer and actress has unveiled a new collaboration with Dunkin Donuts, in the dead of winter (at least here in the northern hemisphere): a, iced, shaken, brown sugar espresso latte.

Sabrina's Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso, as it's called, hits all Dunkin' Donuts locations today, December 31, 2024, and to celebrate, the pint-sized singer donned her showgirl best to shake that ess(presso) and have a bit of cheeky fun at the same time.

"I just love shaking that ess," the singer states in the above commercial. "You're really good at shakin' that ess," an onlooker comments.

"Thanks, been shakin' that ess for hours. You should try it," she quips. Shortly thereafter, the Short n' Sweet songstress realizes there's something funny going on, as several other folks comment that they, too, are "shaking that ess" and "grabbing that ess" to shake, shaking their giant shakers of espresso all the while.

It isn't until an older woman declares that, "nobody shakes that ess like gam-gam!" that Carpenter realizes what's so funny about what's happening around her. "Oh, shake that ess kinda sounds like shake that—" she states before immediately getting cut off at the world "ass."

It's a silly bit of advertorial business that, as one commenter on X put it, showcases how Carpenter, "has such a 1950s variety show advertisement vibe," adding that it is "hard to explain but she's great." Which we totally agree with—it's giving Cher meets Carol Burnett, in a way, isn't it?

Anyway, anyone else suddenly wanna grab some ess later?

Speaking to Slingo, via the Express, Grant Harrold, a former butler for the Royal Family, said, "I remember going to one [party] at St. James' Palace and hanging out with Prince William, Prince Harry, and Camilla." It would seem that the event quickly got quite raucous, with William even ending up in a "fight" with a member of staff, according to Harrold.

"I remember there was a water fight going on between another member of staff and Prince William—and I was in the firing line sitting between them!" he explained. "It was always so festive and made you feel so involved and welcome to be a part of the celebrations. We would always be invited to the Christmas parties within the family, which were always so exciting."

Harrold also noted that "everyone was in fits of laughter" when Prince William took part in the water fight.

Meanwhile, Paul Burrell, another former royal butler, opened up about the changes Prince William is likely to make when he becomes King. "I think it's already changing in shape," Burrell told Marie Claire on behalf of Spin Genie. "We're seeing things aren't quite the same as they used to be, the monarchy is changing, the coronation honeymoon seems to be over."

Burrell continued, "When William becomes King, the Middletons will be with them... They will have Christmases at Sandringham and the Middletons will be there."

Princess Diana's former butler also predicted that William "will clear out all the stuffed shirts, and all the people who shouldn't be there and it will be very much a family Christmas and not a court Christmas."

Manifestation, my babies, that's how.

In a new behind-the-scenes interview clip from the film released exclusively to PEOPLE in the lead-up to the film's at-home digital release, Grande and director Jon M. Chu dove deep on what felt like a culmination of sorts for the Grammy Award-winning singer (and actress).

For her part in making the magic happen for herself, Grande explained that she, "had been chasing [producer] Marc Platt down for about 10 years, wondering when this movie was going to happen, when I would have the opportunity to audition."

"As soon as I heard that maybe in a few months they might start seeing people," she went on to add, "I was like, 'Great! Now's the time I'm starting.'" And that "starting" included wearing as much pink as her body and wardrobe would allow, going so far as to even buy and wear pink underwear to get herself into Glinda's magical-thinking mindset.

"I was like 'what underwear would Glinda wear today?' I had, like, a little portion of my closet that was all just little pink tops and stuff, just in case," she explained.

And though she always seemed destined for—and determined to land—Glinda's role, the director did not make it easy on her, making her audition several times, both for Glinda and for Elphaba.

"Strangely, I sang for both," she added. "I don't know why. I think we all kind of knew why I was going in, and it was for Glinda."

"I love Elphaba," Grande offered, before off-handedly adding, "but, you know..."

You can watch the whole clip over on the PEOPLE website—or check out the film which is finally available on digital download to rent or own starting today.

In a column for The i Paper, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond opened up about Princess Diana's wishes for sons William and Harry. "I remember William's mother, Diana, telling me that she wanted her two boys to be brought up in a way no other royal Princes had been," Bond wrote. "And she did her best to give them an idea of what life beyond the Palace walls is like."

Bond also reflected on how Prince William may have internalized his mother's wishes, and nurtured the same freedom in his own children. "William and Catherine have gone further," Bond wrote. "They can't change the fact that their children have been born into an extraordinary destiny and they've introduced them gently to some of the pomp and pageantry, but they've also given them a taste of a more ordinary existence—moving out of Kensington Palace to a relatively modest house with no live-in staff."

The royal expert also noted that the Prince and Princess of Wales are "regulars on the school run, and they chose the school specifically because of its ethos that courtesy, kindness, and empathy are fundamental values in life."

Bond also suggested that Prince William's willingness to attend Taylor Swift concerts and take his son to soccer matches shows that he's embodying Diana's own parenting methods. "William can be quite cool—a charge that could never be leveled against his father [King Charles], whose childhood largely revolved around nannies and nurseries," the royal correspondent explained. "All of this augurs well for a future King George who is at least vaguely in touch with reality."

Following Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment, the Royal Family appears to have shifted their priorities. "William and Catherine have shown that they intend to have a work/life balance," Bond said, noting that they are already operating differently from the late Queen Elizabeth.

"William in particular has taken some flak for ring-fencing school holidays as much as possible," Bond wrote. "He's obviously lucky to be able even to attempt to do so, but I admire his determination to be as much of a hands-on dad as possible, especially during his wife's illness." And perhaps, most importantly, Princess Diana's legacy continues.

For which we can only thank and commend her—because the experiences she details in the Instagram video posted below are truly harrowing and should not be endured by anyone who's simply trying to do their job at work.

From being physically harmed by a male co-star while filming a fight scene, a publicist forcing her to do a photo shoot while miscarrying, and being "felt up" by a crew member when she was barely 18, these are just a smattering of things the actress—and no doubt countless others—have suffered through. All because of the perception that everyone in Hollywood should be so grateful, and feel so lucky to be there (to say nothing of the millions of dollars it costs to make things), that bad behaviors should be ignored.

And they clearly, very often, are.

In the video, which runs over four minutes long, Beckinsale recounts several inappropriate—and downright illegal—experiences she's had while filming. Like the time she was physically harmed during a fight sequence and "ostracized" for speaking out about it.

"Sometimes there's a certain kind of actor who gets kind of a thrill out of legally being able to harm a woman during a fight sequence," Beckinsale explained. "And I was harmed, to the point where there were MRIs proving it. And actually what happened was I was gaslit and made to feel like I was the problem, blamed and ostracized, and left out of cast dinners, not spoken to, as soon as I mentioned there was a problem."

When it comes to how and why this relates to Lively's experience, Beckinsale explained that while she's, "never met either of them and I wasn't on the set, so I can't speak to any of that," she went on to add that the complaint "has highlighted ... this machine that goes into effect when a woman complains about something legitimately offensive, upsetting, harmful—or whatever—in this industry."

Her words speak not only that, but to the fact that if this machine exists in Hollywood and can successfully silence beloved celebrities with power, imagine what's happening to women in industries and positions where they do not have the same level of power and support.

For years, she and other actresses have essentially been told that you aren't supposed to talk about these things, you're supposed to "absorb it and somehow you're the homie. That has got to stop. That has to stop."

Beckinsale went on to add that she is "grateful to Blake Lively for highlighting this is not an archaic problem no one is facing. This is continuing. And then when it does happen, a machine goes in place to absolutely destroy you."

“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family," Jolie's lawyer, James Simon, told People in a statement. "This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."

The pair split in 2016, when Jolie filed for divorce after an incident on a private plane, during which the actress claimed Pitt was abusive toward their six children (the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services eventually cleared Pitt after investigating the allegations), but reaching a settlement in the divorce took years.

According to a separate report from People, experts say the former couple's lengthy divorce timeline was "absolutely" not normal and was caused by a "perfect storm" of factors, including Pitt's DCFS investigation, custody disputes, and issues with the original judge on the case.

Another factor that John Lambros, a family law attorney licensed in Florida, Michigan and Massachusetts who spoke to People about the legal issues surrounding Pitt and Jolie's divorce said could have contributed to the drawn-out settlement saga is bifurcation.

In 2019, the actors' divorce was bifurcated, meaning that they were declared legally single even though their settlement negotiations were ongoing.

“What does everybody want to do when you're in a divorce? You want to get divorced,” Lambros said, explaining that bifurcating the divorce can reduce people's incentive to reach a settlement quickly. “When you bifurcate that case and you grant them their divorce, well, a lot of the pressure of ‘I'm still married’ is gone.”

Although all six of the couple's children were minors when Jolie filed for divorce, now, only the youngest, 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, are still under 18. The couple's other four children—Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18—are all legally adults and no longer a part of any formal custody arrangement. A source told People earlier this year that Pitt has "virtually no contact with the adult kids."

“His engagement with the younger kids is more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule,” referring to Pitt's production schedule filming the racing movie F1 on-location in Europe.

The source added that Jolie “has the kids most of the time, but, per their agreement, he has visitation with the younger kids.”

In May, Shiloh filed paperwork to legally change her last name from "Jolie-Pitt" to "Jolie," a decision that insiders said was purely her own.

"Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself," a source told People at the time.

People reported that Pitt's representatives declined to confirm or comment on the settlement, which Jolie's lawyer described as a "relief" for the actress.

"She doesn’t speak ill of [Pitt] publicly or privately," a source close to Jolie told the outlet. "She’s been trying hard to be light after a dark time."

With just 18 months between them, Camilla and Annabel have reportedly always been close. According to The Sun, Annabel became Camilla's "rock" when the royal faced personal challenges, including King Charles' cancer diagnosis, in 2024. The outlet also suggested that the "perfect" sisters were inseparable in their youth, as they attended Pony Club events and parties together.

The sisters showed their devotion for one another in the BBC documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year. In footage from the event, Annabel was clearly in awe of her sister, saying (via The Sun), "When I thought back to being two years old and watching the Queen's Coronation on a tiny black and white television, and there goes this golden coach with my sister in it." She continued, "I can't explain the feeling because it's so surreal. This cannot be happening. It was quite a moment."

Annabel also gave some insight into her close friendship with Camilla, saying in the documentary, "She's somebody who is completely loyal... [She] isn't somebody who has huge highs and lows."

Following Camilla's 2005 marriage to Charles, Annabel was employed by The King as the chief designer of his estates, People reported. However, in 2024 it was revealed that Prince William had decided to remove Annabel from his payroll, now that he has taken over the Duchy of Cornwall.

"Sources confirmed that Prince William would no longer employ Ms. Elliot, although it was no reflection on her work," The Telegraph reported at the time. Annabel worked on a plethora of Charles' properties in locations such as Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly, the sources noted. According to her official website, Queen Camilla's sister is respected as "an internationally renowned interior designer, decorator and antiques dealer."

In his column in The Sunday Times, James shared that the Middletons "always make sure that we spend time as a wider family so that the cousins get to spend time together, especially around Christmas."

James welcomed his son, Inigo, with wife Alizée in late 2023. Kate and James' sister, Pippa Middleton, is raising three kids—Arthur, Grace, and Rose—with husband James Matthews. And as all royal fans already know, Kate and her husband, Prince William, have three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

In the same column, James reflected on the trips he used to take as a child with his parents and sisters, in which they'd "pack up the car and drive somewhere." He explained, "[T]he adventures we'd get up to as kids—from rock climbing on the crags to exploring the caves—were like something from The Famous Five."

This isn't the first time James has noted just how close he remains to Kate and Pippa. In a September interview with Hello! magazine, he revealed that both of his sisters had provided him with baby clothes for his first child, all of which had previously been worn by their children. "They are milestones, because [my sisters] remember when their child was wearing something, and how old they were—it takes them back," James told the outlet. "It's been a lovely thing for them."

As for the Middleton family's close bond with the Royal Family, royal expert Katie Nicholl revealed on The Sun's "Royal Exclusive" show, "The Middletons have been very, very welcomed into the royal fold." She continued, "They have a very close relationship, and they had a lovely relationship with the late Queen." Nicholl also noted that Carole and Michael have "a good relationship" with King Charles.

Affleck and Garner aren't just successful, amicable co-parenting. Almost a decade after ending their 11-year romance (they started dating in 2004, wed in 2005, and announced their split in 2015), the former couple, who share three children, still treat each other like family.

Case-in-point: The exes reportedly celebrated the holidays together along with their daughters Violet, 19, and Seraphina, 15, and son, Samuel, 12.

"Jen and Ben were all together for Christmas. It's all for the kids,” a source close to the pair told People. “Jen grew up surrounded by her family for the holidays, and she wants the same for her kids."

Since their divorce, Garner and Affleck have always remained close and put their kids first, even as they've moved on in other romantic relationships. When Affleck rekindled his romance with Jennifer Lopez in 2021, Garner embraced the relationship and welcomed the Unstoppable actress into their blended family as a fellow co-parent and as a friend.

In 2023, a source close to the situation gushed about the women's bond after Garner invited Lopez's child, Emme, to join her and Seraphina on a trip to Disneyland.

“J.Lo has Jennifer Garner’s seal of approval,” an insider said, according to Us Weekly. “J.Lo thinks Jennifer is a kind and wonderful person and an amazing mother.”

Since Affleck's split from Lopez in August, he and Garner have been spending even more time together as a family unit, including volunteering together as a family on Thanksgiving, serving meals at an event organized by Los Angeles homelessness charity The Midnight Mission.

Even though they're spending more time together amid Affleck's divorce from Lopez, insiders say that nothing has changed, romantically, for the pair, who are in a good place as friends and co-parents, but nothing more.

“[Garner] will continue to make sure that they spend time together as a family and include Ben," a source close to the former couple previously told People. "The kids enjoy when they all spend time together. Jen's grateful that Ben's doing well. They are friends, but that's it."

In November 2004, Prince Harry was staying on a polo ranch in Lobos, Argentina as part of his gap year. Unfortunately, Harry's visit to the country took a turn when the "Argentine government was apparently alerted to the kidnap threat by a murder suspect in the local underworld," the Daily Mail reported. According to the outlet, the then-20-year-old royal found himself in the middle of "an abduction scare in which gun shots were fired," which sounds, frankly, terrifying.

Luckily, the response to the kidnapping plot involving Prince Harry was swift. "The Security Ministry responded by sending a squad of 15 armed police officers to patrol the perimeter of the El Remanso ranch, and they fired shots into the air after two shots were heard being fired in the area," the Daily Mail reported.

The British government officially responded, saying, "Given the recent publicity about the possible kidnapping threat to Prince Harry, the Metropolitan Police should where appropriate seek advice on the possible risks of kidnapping in countries being visited by members of the Royal Family."

It was also revealed that there weren't always Royal Air Force aircraft available for royals to use during official visits, which only contributed to potential security risks, per the Daily Mail. This was reportedly on account of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan at the time. As a result, the Royal Family allegedly chartered "civilian aircraft via a broker," which left them open to potential security breaches.

Thankfully, the alleged abduction plot was thwarted, and Prince Harry returned home safely following his gap year.

"Happy birthday to me," Avignone wrote in a caption of the duo in a sweet embrace, "emphasis on the *happy* 😆." In the photo, Swift is seen hugging Avignone close (while wearing the fancy new watch boyfriend Travis Kelce got her for Christmas) while a very sprinkled cake sits in front of them.

The duo—who met via mutual friend and actress Emma Stone back in 2008—have been spending heaps of time together of late, as Avignone was also at Taylor's Eras Tour wrap party that Kelce threw the singer earlier this month.

"When she thought she was going to a small, quiet dinner but it was actually a giant surprise party with her friends and family, props included 🥳," Avignone's post about the party read. The stylist posted several images of her and Swift alongside fellow famous friends, like the ladies from the rock band Haim (whom opened for Swift for several of the Eras Tour dates).

Taylor does not seem to be the only famous friend of Avignone's, either, as several notable folks show up in the comments of her birthday post wishing her a happy day—and plenty more are featured in other images across her Insta feed, like Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively, Antoni Porowski, Justin Theroux, Sabrina Carpenter, and more.

"I am very proud of how I handle all the things. All the things," she says in an interview clip featured in the video. Moments later, another interview clip cuts in, with the actress saying, "In my low moments, I've learned to just feel the feelings and then let them go."

The video features many a highlight from Lopez's decidedly busy 2024—including press tour moments her new films Atlas and Unstoppable, as well as her appearance on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet—even if there is no mention of Ben Affleck, from whom the actress filed for divorce in August of this year.

Despite the whirlwind nature of their reunion—which was the inspiration for her music video movie This Is Me...Now (and no doubt hundreds of former lovers deciding to give it another go all around the world)—and its subsequent dissolution, Lopez remains faithful to her positive attitude and belief that the best is always on the horizon.

Feeling reflective, Lopez remarks (via clip), "What a journey this has been. I honestly feel that the best is yet to come," before adding that she, "can sit here with my heart and soul intact, and still feel really full of love." And if we know anything about J.Lo, it's that she always leads with love first.

True to form, Lopez ends the video saying that, "It's gonna get better, and it always does. It's a beautiful life in that way." The video ends with an overlay of text that reads, "See you in 2025!" alongside her signature.

Carter traveled to the United Kingdom in May 1977, where he joined a group of NATO leaders for dinner at Buckingham Palace, via People. Hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, Carter came face to face with royalty, which included meeting the now-King Charles, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother. The event marked Carter's very first trip overseas as President of the United States.

Reports regarding Carter's meeting with the Queen Mother appear to vary greatly. According to the Associated Press, Carter eagerly greeted the Queen Mother when she entered the room. "Ever the Southern gentleman, Carter broke away, took her by the hand and escorted her to the assembled line of guests," the outlet reported. "The no-frills Georgia peanut farmer-turned-president ate chicken mousse off a gold plate and seemed excited by his dinner seating between the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, and across from her son, Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and the Queen Mother."

This version of events appears to be corroborated by a photograph of Carter holding hands with the Queen Mother as they stand in a line with other guests and members of the British Royal Family.

Biographer William Shawcross shared a very different version of events in his 2009 book, Queen Elizabeth: The Queen Mother: The Official Biography. According to Shawcross, the Queen Mother wrote in a letter about receiving a kiss from Carter, saying (via an excerpt from the book in the Daily Mail), "I took a sharp step backwards—not quite far enough." Shawcross revealed, "She never kept a diary after her marriage but wrote these brilliant letters in this wonderful hand all her life."

Furthermore, the Queen Mother allegedly included Carter's name in an "anti-toast" she gave to individuals she didn't like at a dinner party years later, via The Independent. When someone asked the royal why she included Carter on the unsavory list, she allegedly responded, "Because he is the only man, since my dear husband died, to have had the effrontery to kiss me on the lips."

Carter, of course, denied any such impropriety, and was seemingly extremely upset by the implication. Instead, the former president said he simply kissed the Queen Mother "lightly on the cheek" when dinner ended, per People.

Writing about the alleged incident in his 2016 autobiography A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety, via The Independent, Carter explained, "More than two years later, there were reports in the British papers that grossly distorted this event, stating that I had deeply embarrassed her with excessive familiarity." He continued, "I was distressed by these reports, but couldn't change what had happened—nor did I regret it."

It would seem that Carter had nothing but the utmost respect for Queen Elizabeth II's mother, and that whatever happened in 1977, he meant no harm whatsoever.

Rothwell recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about her hotly anticipated return to the series, and how she was "gagged" watching it all unfold on set.

"I would be on set, even when it wasn't my day shooting, just to watch the magic unfold," Rothwell explained. "And I would be gagged—as if I hadn't already read all the scripts! I'd be like, 'Oh, s--t.' I really do think that this season is magic. That's the only word."

As for her part in it? Rothwell's Belinda is going to straddle both sides of the world, as she's at the Thailand outpost of the luxe resort hotel on a work exchange program. "She's still working at the White Lotus, and she's in Thailand doing sort of an exchange program to learn more about the wellness programs that the Thailand White Lotus offers," Rothwell revealed.

"She's going to be a guest for the first time, even though she's taking classes and it's a work trip," she added. "She's staying at the hotel, which is something that she hasn't done before, and so we get to see her really dip her toe in the other side of life of the upstairs/downstairs of White Lotus."

And in doing so, Rothwell explained, "She gets a firsthand look at some of the things that I think went unnoticed by her [in] season 1. It's a really cool exploration of status and her journey and reconciling the fact that her dreams of owning the spa never came to fruition, so what do you do? 'I'm going to pick myself up and learn something new,' and still grow in her own way."

After being "so devastated by Tanya taking what little hope she had and shattering it," when she pulled funding for the spa she and Belinda had discussed, Rothwell's outlook for Belinda's season three trajectory feels hopeful.

Since the happenings of season one, Belinda's "been trying to dig herself out of that sadness and really be inspired again," Rothwell explained. "Her purpose for coming to Thailand is to have a dream again."

Anybody else absolutely chomping at the bit for the season three premiere date—February 16—to hurry up and get here already?

Author David Seow has revealed that he sent a copy of his book, The Royal Pup Pack: Catastrophe At The Palace, to Queen Camilla via Buckingham Palace.

The author took to Instagram to share a letter he received from Camilla, dated November 4, 2024, which said, "Many thanks for your kind letter and for sending me a copy of your new book, which I much look forward to reading." She continued, "Please keep writing—the world needs authors and artists!" Camilla then signed the letter by hand, and wrote a personal note underneath, saying, "My dogs enjoyed it too!"

Unfortunately, Camilla was left "heartbroken" in November as her beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Beth, died. According to People, Beth "had an untreatable tumor and had to be put down." As a result, Camilla's "unusual" hobby of reading to her dogs may have been placed on pause.

Queen Camilla and King Charles shared news of Beth's death on Instagram, writing, "A sad farewell to Beth, The Queen’s much-loved companion from @Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire." Although The King and Queen lost Beth, whom they adopted in 2011, they still own a second Jack Russell named Bluebell.

Camilla is such a fan of reading that she launched a book club during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently created a charity, The Queen's Reading Room, dedicated to encouraging people to engage with books.

At an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of Book Aid International in September, Queen Camilla shared her love of reading in an impromptu speech. "I have visited quite a lot of countries on my travels and I have been to libraries which have been recipients of Book Aid, and I have just seen the joy on the children's faces when they receive these books," she told attendees (via the Daily Mail). "And if we can keep on doing this all over the world, we're going to make a very, very big difference to people reading books, children getting access to books—and it's really thanks to Book Aid and all of you here who have made this possible."

The stars of the new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, were completely starstruck to meet the reporter (Tracy Gilchrist) who brought new meaning to the phrase "holding space" when she did so with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. So much so, they even held fingers about it.

"I'm starstruck, seeing you walk in," Fanning exclaimed before Chalamet put his finger out for her to clutch, causing the room to erupt into giggles.

"It's an honor to talk to you, I feel sort of starstruck, too," the actor added. It's a silly, perfect moment that shows just how ubiquitous the meme of Ariana and Cynthia has become.

If you have somehow managed to click on this story without understanding the context, first of all: how and why? Also: what's it like to not be so chronically online like the rest of us? Does the air smell sweeter? Does the sky shine bluer? Is your brain less smooth and full of beans?

Sorry, sorry—I digress. But if you somehow missed the now-iconic "holding space" moment and have no idea what's going on...we can explain.

Or better yet, Ariana and Cynthia can explain it, too:

You can watch the original interview below—they start "holding space" around the 2:41-minute mark:

As for her part in it, Gilchrist has previously noted that she meant for the moment to be a segue into a bigger question, but the circumstances in the moment moved it into this more meme-able direction.

If you've never been in a press junket before (I have done hundreds at this point), they're a particularly odd set-up: you (the journalist) wait hours on end in hotel hallways in order to pop into a room for 5 minutes or less and ask as many questions of the waiting actors/writers/directors involved in whatever film or television show you're all there to do press around, as you can. There's hot lights, tons of crew and/or studio press people (plus hair and makeup folks) all crammed into a tiny hotel room with you and the people you're interviewing. Everyone has been there for hours on end, with the talent involved often responding to variations on the exact same question over and over again.

In essence, it's a ticking time bomb for something silly and/or nonsensical to take place—particularly when there's a miscommunication, or misunderstanding of the question being asked (ask me about the time I interviewed Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson for a film called Rapture-Palooza).

Either way, it can be a wild, hurry-up-and-wait whirlwind of a time. And, truly, what's better than a silly meme coming out of all of it?