Prince William raises £24million in one year for charity prize

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Prince Harry recently faced criticism from renowned royal biographer Tina Brown, who questioned his dedication to work and the impact of his charitable efforts, describing the latter as surprisingly small.

As the Prince of Wales considers the criticisms made by Gordon Brown – a man who was a close friend and trusted advisor to his mother, Princess Diana – he might point out the successes of the Earthshot Prize.

Founded by William in 2020 with the goal of discovering, assisting, and recognizing individuals creating practical solutions for environmental repair, the Earthshot Prize has achieved another milestone.

The company recently reported its highest ever income of £24 million for the year ending March 31, 2025, according to filings with Companies House.

Donations to the Earthshot Prize totaled over £23 million, including a significant £5 million contribution from The American Friends of the Royal Foundation – the charitable organization associated with Prince William and Catherine. The Royal Foundation itself saw its income increase to £12 million in the last year, as previously reported. Since becoming independent from the Royal Foundation in 2022, Earthshot has raised a total of £66 million.

This success likely confirms William’s approach of focusing on the quality and impact of the charities he supports, rather than trying to satisfy everyone all the time.

The Earthshot Prize clearly has a significant global impact. The sheer number of donors and supporters – filling three full pages – demonstrates its wide appeal.

Beyond the Earthshot Council – which naturally features Sir David Attenborough, along with figures like Cate Blanchett and Stella McCartney – a wide range of universities and businesses are involved, including Microsoft, the Bezos Earth Fund, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

 

Tearful Lilly Becker bids pricy London farewell 

Lilly Becker, the ex-wife of Boris Becker, has relocated to Germany with their 15-year-old son, Amadeus. She says the move was necessary due to financial difficulties living in the UK.

The 49-year-old Dutch model and the 57-year-old former Wimbledon champion split up in 2018. He was later imprisoned in 2022 after being found guilty of concealing £2.5 million in assets to avoid paying his debts.

Lilly revealed she faced a really difficult time last year, even getting down to just five euros in her bank account. She recently appeared topless in the German Playboy magazine.

It’s just too expensive for me to live alone in London with my son,” she explains. “I want to maintain the lifestyle we’re both accustomed to, but it’s incredibly difficult to do so in London right now. That’s why I’m looking at opportunities in Germany.

Speaking on the Driven Women podcast, she shared that this is a fresh start for both her and her son, and she’s explained the changes to him in a way he understands. He’s actually really enthusiastic about it, and she believes it will be a positive experience for his education, broadening his horizons.

Oh my gosh, he’s only fifteen! When I told him, he just said ‘No!’ It absolutely broke my heart, I even teared up a little. He just looked at me and said, ‘Mama, I don’t know anything else,’ which was SO sad. We went to check out the school, and he seemed a little more okay with it, just a simple ‘Okay’. Honestly, I’m a wreck, totally nervous, but it’s that good kind of nervous, you know? Like butterflies in your stomach!

Oh my gosh, Lilly is just amazing! I was SO thrilled when she won ‘I’m a Celebrity’ – the German version, of course! – because she was really struggling with money before, and it’s just incredible to see how much that win has turned things around for her. I’m just so happy for her success!

I remember a really tough time when I was 48 – I only had five euros left in the bank, which was incredibly humiliating. I’ll never forget the feeling of being hungry, especially knowing my child was hungry too.

 

Daphne’s son weds on family isle 

While Netflix’s new series, *House of Guinness*, portrays a wealthy family filled with drama and misfortune, Daphne Guinness, who comes from the actual brewing dynasty, is celebrating positive news within her own family.

Her oldest son, 36-year-old Nicolas Niarchos-whose father is the shipping magnate Spyros Niarchos-has married artist Malu Dalla Piccola, who comes from a prominent Italian family.

The wedding reportedly took place this weekend on the private island of Spetsopoula, which was formerly owned by the grandfather of the groom, the wealthy businessman Stavros Niarchos.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, and divorce settlements are definitely a part of that landscape. I understand Daphne, who is now 57, received a reported £30 million when she and Spyros separated back in 1999. It just goes to show how complex these situations can be.

 

Levi’s Punchy reply to Jamie detractors…

As a big fan of Jamie Oliver, I was really interested to hear he’s taking steps to ensure his cookbooks are respectful of different cultures. After getting some criticism for his ‘Punchy Jerk Rice’ – people felt it didn’t quite capture the true flavors of Caribbean cooking – he brought in experts to review everything and make sure he’s representing dishes authentically. It’s great to see him listening and learning!

Levi Roots, the entrepreneur known for his successful Reggae Reggae Sauce and his appearance on Dragons’ Den, isn’t one to be cautious or hesitant.

At the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Awards in London, Roots shared his thoughts on Jamie’s decision to hire experts on cultural appropriation. He believes it was the right move, even though Jamie knew it would likely cause criticism, and commended him for having the courage to do it.

The Jamaica-born entrepreneur, 67, adds: ‘What Jamie did was brilliant for Caribbean cuisine.

Jamie likely wanted to introduce Caribbean food to a wider audience, recognizing that not everyone will enjoy it. But that shouldn’t discourage anyone from giving it a try.

 

Lord Bathurst, who died in 2009, famously described Prince William as a reckless young driver after being passed by his Volkswagen Golf on his property in Gloucestershire. But he’s not the only historical figure with a connection to Cirencester Park.

Countess Bathurst, whose family has lived on the estate for over 300 years, believes her home is haunted. She says she often feels like someone is with her when she walks through the Long Room, and people have frequently reported seeing two women sitting and sewing there.

Sara Bathurst also shared a spooky story about The Oak Room, which features a beautifully carved four-poster bed dating back to 1631. A guest staying in the room-which is paneled with wood-reportedly woke up feeling someone tugging at her foot. At first, she thought it was a playful joke, but quickly realized she was completely alone. It certainly gave her a fright!

 

Ringo Starr, 85, travels with his All-Starr Band and jokingly says his family kids him every time he announces his retirement.

Ringo Starr, who is married to Barbara Bach-a former Bond actress-jokes that he jokingly retires every year. His children playfully tease him about it, reminding him he said the same thing last year.

Ringo Starr has no plans to retire from drumming anytime soon. ‘We’re currently on tour and will definitely finish this one,’ he said with a laugh, adding, ‘I’ve even scheduled shows for next year!’

 

Bobbi Brown, a leading make-up artist, is known for creating the ‘natural’ look that’s so popular now. However, when she first worked with Jerry Hall in the 1980s, the model wasn’t a fan of Brown’s subtle, ‘no-make-up’ style.

In her new autobiography, *Still Bobbi*, she recounts an experience with a client: after finishing the woman’s makeup, she gave her a mirror. The client, saying she appreciated the work, then proceeded to completely redo most of it, heavily contouring her entire face.

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2025-09-25 01:49