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tm/AMANDA PLATELL: Be careful Kate. You don’t realise it, but your inner circle may have inadvertently stabbed you in the back

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When I saw the headline on the front of a Saturday newspaper supplement: ‘Arise, Queen Kate’, I thought for a shocking moment something terrible had befallen Queen Camilla.
Thankfully not. But Kate’s beautiful smiling face nevertheless adorned the magazine’s cover, flagging up a seven-page piece about what kind of Queen she intended to be.
The article stated that she plans to make an ‘impactful change’, that she would be ‘more ambitious and bolder than any of us appreciated’ and that ‘Kate will be a Queen who really listens’.
But isn’t it a bit soon to be talking about ‘Queen’ Kate in this way, when Queen Camilla is still in situ, apparently in rude health, fulfilling her royal duties and supporting her charities as well as her husband through his cancer battle?
The article claims to have sourced its information through ‘palace insiders and close long-term friends of the Prince and Princess of Wales’.
Which made me think. Did those ‘close long-term friends’ of William and Kate have their approval to talk? Did Kate and William, in fact, sanction this article in The Times Magazine about her intentions when she becomes Queen?
We may never know, but even if they did not, it is surely ill-advised of their close circle to talk about her future in this way.

Kate would never have intended any slight against Camilla, of course, writes Amanda Platell...
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... But I can¿t be the only person to think that this emphasis on her queenly qualities is a slap in the face for the present Queen
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Kate would never have intended any slight against Camilla, of course, writes Amanda Platell… but I can’t be the only person to think that this emphasis on her queenly qualities is a slap in the face for the present Queen

Kate would never have intended any slight against Camilla, of course. But I can’t be the only person to think that this emphasis on her queenly qualities is a slap in the face for the present Queen.
Camilla has long championed unsung charities – she is patron of more than 100. She has gone out of her way to help concerns that protect women and girls against domestic violence, that encourage literacy and reading, that support the Armed Forces and veterans, and that care about the welfare of animals.
As for that pledge that ‘Kate will be a Queen who really listens’, the unsaid and perhaps unintended message is that Camilla doesn’t listen.
And yet of all the things her detractors may throw at Queen Camilla, not listening just isn’t fair. She deserves a sainthood for listening for decades to her hand-wringing husband going on about global warming, the benefits of talking to his pelargoniums and much more – including his ‘hardships’ as Prince of Wales.
To Kate’s credit, much of the article is a showcase for her Centre for Early Childhood at the Royal Foundation she shares with William, described by aides as ‘her life’s work’. Quoted in the article is Harvard Professor Robert Waldinger, with whom she wrote a powerful essay about the dangers of smartphones and screentime for children called The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World.
Prof Waldinger remembers meeting former PM Tony Blair at a summit on early learning convened by Kate, and how Blair told him: ‘You know it’s so important that an institution like the Royal Family does this, because politicians can’t do it.’
Would the professor have spoken out in such a way without Kate’s approval? Who knows?

One source compared Kate and William to the Beckhams. But, asks Amanda Platell, do we really want to cheapen our future King and Queen by likening them so?
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One source compared Kate and William to the Beckhams. But, asks Amanda Platell, do we really want to cheapen our future King and Queen by likening them so?

But my point is that a good number of friends and acquaintances – some named, others anonymous – do talk about Kate in the article. And, given all this emphasis on her as our future Queen, I don’t think they should have.
One source goes so far as to compare William and Kate to ‘dear old David and Victoria Beckham’, in the way they appreciate their own brand.
‘While it may seem a ridiculous comparison,’ they say, ‘I think the public can spot a genuine relationship and a genuinely strong marriage and two people who fit well together. How strong they are individually, but also as a couple. And I think that’s a great asset.’
A strong marriage is undoubtedly important to the royals but do we really want to cheapen our future King and Queen by likening them to the Beckhams? Is it really how William and Kate want to be perceived in this unforgiving social media world?
Another insider says Kate understands the ‘crowns and gowns element of the job’, with the implication that it is a duty to show up looking gorgeous in carefully crafted couture outfits worth thousands and wearing tiaras worth millions from the royal collection.
I do not believe for one second Kate’s friends thought they were doing anything but supporting her in sharing their views. But it all seems a little premature and, dare I say it, tacky.
A recent YouGov poll deservedly crowned Kate as the most loved royal, with a popularity rating of 68 per cent, for the first time ahead of her husband William on 62 per cent.
Nothing should be allowed to jeopardise the couple’s standing, however much they might want to change things in the future.
Charles and Camilla are still working full-tilt with many engagements planned in the diary for this year, including a joint official state visit to the United States on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
There will come a time to hail the ascension of King William and Queen Catherine, but it is not yet.
It’s just too soon for anyone to be cheering: ‘Arise, Queen Kate.’

In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.
In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.

Traumatized Hainesport Twp. residents forced to dispose dead birds amid suspected outbreak An error has occurred. Please contact…

After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.
After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.

Cats give genetic clues to better cancer treatments Similarities between pet and human tumours suggest new ideas for…

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.

A former prince is arrested in the UK with accountability in question in the US Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured…

Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?
Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?

When Rhode Island shooter started firing, bystanders jumped into action to end the carnage Moments after Robert Dorgan…

BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.
BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.

Rhode Island ice rink shooting victims confirmed as shooter’s daughter alleges ‘vendetta’ against family Robert Dorgan’s daughter says…

In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?
In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?

Refugees Without Green Cards Subject to Arrest Under New Policy Image A federal immigration agent in Minneapolis last…

Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?
Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?

After Colbert-CBS Rift, Interview With Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Draws 85M Views Across YouTube & Social  …