Pouch That Phone!

Chris Rock asks for mobile devices to be locked at his shows

Chris Rock fans have been asked to "take one night off from being the paparazzo of your own life" and to just enjoy his show without filming it.

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Legions of Rock fans heading to his shows at London's O2 Arena over the weekend can look forward to having their phones put into a special pouch, Sky News is reporting.

It appears as if the "Grown Ups" star has banned all phones and smart watches from his U.K. "Total Blackout" tour in January.

The request is a way of preventing fans from recording his performances and putting them up on social media and/or online β€” with anyone caught using the devices at the shows getting booted from the venue.

The comedian has said the use of the devices has become a "major intrusion" on the integrity of his performances as a working comic.

Rock said that "there is also the added problem for comedians who spend months polishing their performances to a high state of hilarity only to have their punchlines shared in advance by illegal recordings of their show."

The solution is to have the mobile devices placed for free in Yondr pouches, which are locked as fans enter the arena. The attendees keep the pouches with them at all times during the show and then have them unlocked as they leave.

And, according to Sky News, if fans need to use their phones at any time during the show, they can go to a designated area to have staff members unlock them.

One fan, Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald, saw Rock's show in Glasgow β€” "How refreshing to not see 10,000 phones and people actually talking to each other. It's the future!" she tweeted.

Another fan tweeted: "It was beautiful to actually see so many people not using their phones like zombies!"

Enforcement has reportedly been strict, and while there is an area for fans to have their devices unlocked for use, some problems have arisen.

In Glasgow, a fan by the name of Chris Penman claims that he was thrown out of the show for looking at his phone β€” even though he was given permission, as he was waiting for an update about his father's medical condition.

"I'm happy that my dad is doing better but I'm angry because my wife paid Β£140 [roughly $200] for the tickets as a gift and we didn't even get to see Chris Rock," he explained to the evening news.

Rock is not the only star using the Yondr pouches: Dave Chapell, Alicia Keys, Jack White and Guns N' Roses have also reportedly used them.

Meghan's first impression of Andrew revealed

Meghan Markle's first interaction with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was one for the books.

In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry recounts the awkward moment when his now-wife encountered the former Duke of York for the first time.

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What did Meghan think?

In 2016, Harry introduced Meghan to his extended family during a lunch at Royal Lodge with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and several other members of The Firm including Mountbatten-Windsor, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie.

But the Suits star apparently confused Mountbatten-Windsor for a member of the royal staff.

"After a moment, Meg asked me something about the queen's assistant," the father of two wrote, adding that Meghan referred to Mountbatten-Windsor as "that man holding the purse" and "that man who walked her to the door."

"She definitely hadn't Googled us," the Duke of Sussex joked of his future wife.

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Mountbatten-Windsor loses his titles

King Charles III officially removed his younger brother's titles over Mountbatten-Windsor's friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations of misconduct against them both.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honors of Prince Andrew," the palace said in a late October statement.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor," the statement continued. "His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement concluded.

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Could Meghan and Harry be next?

According to royal biographer Tom Bower, Harry and Meghan could suffer the same fate as his estranged uncle when Prince William becomes king.

"For Harry, it was an unbelievable shock that the king could strip Andrew of his titles β€” including prince β€” and it changes everything," Bower told The Mirror.

"He must really fear that William will strip him, Meghan and [their two] children of their titles when he succeeds to the throne," he added.

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Prince William's revenge?

The Princes of Wales might not be forgiving to the Sussexes when he becomes king.

"They are on borrowed time and vulnerable now," Bower said.

"I don't think there is anything they can do to reverse the hurt they have caused Kate [Middleton] and William, and William is still furious," he continued.

"The Sussexes have a real problem because Meghan isn't making any serious money and nor is Harry really, so the threat is they'll do something foolish and damaging to the royal family," he added

Beatrice and Eugenie issued harsh warning

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Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice may need to be cautious about their every move after their parents' scandal erupted.

"So far, they have emerged relatively unscathed, although personally I think they would be wise to curtail their business activities and visits to the dripping-with-money venues of the Middle East," royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror.

"They need to be careful not to become tarred with the same brush as their parents: both Andrew [Mountbatten-Windsor] and Fergie appear to have been seduced by great wealth for much of their lives, and their reckless pursuit of that wealth has been part of their undoing," Bond added.

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Eugenie and Beatrice, who aren't working royals, continue to attend official gatherings despite their father's public downfall. Mountbatten-Windsor has been pushed out of the royal fold due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor isn't expected to attend Kate Middleton's annual Christmas gathering, but the Princesses of York are likely to receive invitations.

"I assume that Catherine sends out personal invitations every year to members of theΒ royal family. That would be the normal thing to do when you are organizing an event like this, and the sisters have been regular fixtures at the carol concert, so it would be a very pointed criticism of them if the Princess had omitted them from the guest list this year," Bond said.

"It has been made clear throughout the scandal involving Andrew that Beatrice and Eugenie remain valued members of the royal family and will be invited to get-togethers like this, as well as Christmas at Sandringham," the correspondent continued. "It will be up to them to decide if they want to face the cameras and join the rest of the royal family, or spend time with their parents."

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Bond noted that balancing their loyalty to their parents and the royals will "be an ongoing dilemma" for Eugenie and Beatrice, adding that "most people feel quite sorry for them."

"It must be incredibly tough to see your parents so publicly humiliated and evicted from their home. Beatrice and Eugenie must have deeply divided loyalties," Bond continued.

Another royal's peppercorn rent revealed

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor isn't the only member of the royal family who apparently scored a sweet deal on rent.

After it was alleged that the former Prince Andrew paid nearly nothing in rent at Royal Lodge β€” from which he was recently evicted β€” a new report claims one of his relatives also secured a significant discount on a royal residence.

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Prince Edward's peppercorn rent

According to documents held by the Crown Estate and disclosed toΒ The Times, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, Prince Edward, paid $9,261,635.92 for a 150-year lease extension for his home, Bagshot Park, in 2007.

The Duke of Edinburgh now pays minimal rent for the property where he and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, have lived for 25 years.Β Β 

The documents state that there are no conditions on a potential sale of Edward's lease, except that the new tenant must be able to afford to maintain the sprawling estate.

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Pushback over Edward's living arrangements

There has been backlash over Edward's alleged living arrangements β€” despite his status as a senior working member of The Firm.

Former liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker called the situation "obscene" and said that the royal couple should not be given state-funded housing.

"Most people have no idea who Edward is or what he does. Why is he getting any state subsidy?" a spokesperson for the politician said in a statement.

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What did Andrew pay in rent?

Before he was thrown out of Royal Lodge over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly benefitted from the family's privileges.

According to a report, the former Duke of York originally signed a $9,883,720.93 lease for 75 years for the estate but wasn't paying a hefty amount in monthly rent.

King Charles III forced Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, off the property they called home for around 20 years.

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Charles puts his foot down

Charles is reportedly gearing up to make significant changes within The Firm, including which members of the royal family are on the payroll.

"Over time, that is all going to change. Properties will be let at commercial rates going forward and to people outside the family. Where it is in a palace environment, they will, of course, be security vetted," one insider told Daily Express.

Snarked a second source, "The king isn't running a housing association for distant relatives."

Elizabeth shut down Harry and Meghan's 'inappropriate' request

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's shocking request was shut down by Queen Elizabeth II.

After the Sussexes' 2018 wedding, Her Majesty gifted the duo Frogmore Cottage, but a royal insider claimed the pair hoped to live in Windsor Castle.

"There are empty bedrooms and suites in the private apartments which the Sussexes may have had their eye on, or perhaps some former living quarters in the castle grounds converted into other things," Hugo Vickers told The Times. "But I can see how it might not be entirely appropriate to have a young family living there."

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Her Majesty's cousin Lady Elizabeth Anson previously discussed how important it was for the monarch to give the Sussexes' Frogmore Cottage.

"The cottage was a big deal. The Queen's entrance into the gardens is right next to their cottage. It is essentially her backyard, her solitude, and her privacy. She was giving that up in gifting Harry and Meghan Frogmore Cottage. We all thought it was very big of her," Anson said, per Daily Express. "She said, 'I hope they'll respect it.'"

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Before moving into Frogmore Cottage, the Sussexes lived at Nottingham Cottage β€” a property the couple later described as underwhelming.

"I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace. Nott Cott was palace adjacent – that was the best you could say for it," Harry wrote in Spare.

In Harry & Meghan, the Sussexes reminisced over their old living space.

"As far as people were concerned, we were living in a palace, and we were, in a cottage…" the Duke of Sussex emphasized while sharing home videos of the abode. "We were living on palace grounds."

"Kensington Palace sounds very regal, of course it does, it says 'palace' in the name. But Nottingham Cottage was so small," Meghan added.

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The Sussexes ended up finding their forever home in California β€” away from the royal family.

"We did everything we could to get this house," Meghan told The Cut when discussing her West Coast mansion. "Because you walk in and go … Joy. And exhale. And calm. It's healing. You feel free."

"The Montecito house is the kind of big that startles you into remembering that unimaginable wealth is actually someone's daily reality," the article's writer, Allison P. Davis, said, per New York Post.

Elizabeth 'often commented' on one thing about Kate

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Queen Elizabeth II frequently complimented Kate Middleton on her signature brown tresses.

"Meg looked beautiful and I told her so. She was wearing a black-and-white dress, with a full skirt, patterned with flowers, and when I put my hand on her back, I could feel how delicate the material was," Prince Harry wrote in his memoir, Spare, referring to Meghan Markle.

"Her hair was down because I suggested she wear it that way. Pa likes it when women wear their hair down. Granny too. She often commented on 'Kate's beautiful mane,'" Harry added.

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Over the years, Kate and Elizabeth developed a close bond.

"I don't think she really trusted anyone on first impression, we're all performing the same show, the show is supporting the Queen," royal expert Richard Kay told Daily Mail.

"But with Kate and the Queen, it grew deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two," Kay added.

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Royal commentator Ingrid Seward highlighted how Elizabeth viewed Kate during their time together.

"I think the Queen saw her strength and saw that she is a caring person who had this amazing affiliation to duty," Seward noted. "I think Kate would have really appreciated the kindness and attention the Queen had given to her, and she knows better than anyone how busy the Queen is. She put time aside to make Kate feel appreciated."

Following his grandmother's death, Prince William gave insight into Elizabeth and Kate's relationship.

"I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives," William said in a statement.

George gearing up to face 'intense scrutiny'

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Prince George's next phase of education could face backlash.

"If the Wales family runs true to form, they will announce Prince George's secondary school at the eleventh hour,Β possibly as late as September 2026," managing editor ofΒ The Good Schools Guide Melanie Sanderson told Hello!.

"They understand that the school itself, as well as George's new peer group, will fall under intense scrutiny as soon as it is revealed and will probably want to minimize this, allowing the young royal to transition to his new school with as little fanfare as possible," Sanderson continued.

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Prince William, who is an Eton alum, and Kate Middleton haven't confirmed where they'll send George, but many royal experts think the youngster will follow in his father's footsteps.

"I believe Eton is the most likely choice for Prince George. In our most recent review, we describe it as 'traditional, radical, expectation-busting and packed with confident boys with nary a hint of entitlement,'" Sanderson said. "To me, this encompasses all the values we are told are important to this generation of royals."

The Waleses have a history of keeping school decisions under wraps until two weeks before the term starts.

"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have today announced that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will attend Lambrook School in Berkshire from September 2022," the couple's team said at the time. "Their Royal Highnesses are hugely grateful to Thomas's Battersea where George and Charlotte have had a happy start to their education since 2017 and 2019 respectively and are pleased to have found a school for all three of their children which shares a similar ethos and values to Thomas's."

The Prince and Princess of Wales are often applauded for their down-to-earth parenting.

"William and Catherine are more than partners in duty, they are parents in vision with complementary strengths," Jo Frost, who is best known as "Supernanny," wrote in an Instagram post.

"William carries the weight of history and responsibility but also the empathy of a man shaped by loss and scrutiny, wanting to get it right for his children. He places emotional safety and stability at the heart of his parenting," Frost continued. "Catherine pairs this with calm, centered, hands-on practicality. Her championing of early childhood development echoes my own mission, deeply personal and reflective of her home life."

Charlotte faces losing her titles

Princess Charlotte might not be able to keep her royal titles.

Due to a specific monarchy rule regarding Prince George, Prince William's only daughter is at risk of not being able to use the honor.

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The rule that risks Charlotte's title

According to protocol, when William becomes king of England, George will likely assume the title of Prince of Wales. This honor has been held by the father of three and King Charles III.

However, this will spell trouble for Charlotte. "Her right to be Princess of Wales flies out the window when her brother gets the official title of Prince of Wales," a broadcaster at the OSSA channel claimed.

"A royal lady can only be a princess if she's married to a prince or the daughter of a prince," they added.

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What could happen?

Since William will eventually become the leader of England, the 10-year-old will likely take on a different title.

Like her great-aunt Princess Anne, Charlotte could take on the title of Princess Royal. However, she can use it only after the 75-year-old passes away.

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Charlotte makes history

Charlotte is third in line to the throne, a monumental moment for the monarchy.

"For the first time in British history, the spare is a princess, even though she has a younger brother," historian Dr. Nige Fletcher said in a Channel 5 documentary via Daily Mail.

"Princess Charlotte is in line after George, after a change in the law and she now outranks her brother, Prince Louis," he said.

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What role could Charlotte have within The Firm?

According to royal commentator Phil Dampier, Charlotte will have to decide when she's older about whether she wants to be a senior working member of The Firm.

"William and Kate [Middleton] see George as primus inter pares β€” first among equals. Yes, he's the future king, but the way things are going, Charlotte and Louis may have major roles too," he said via The Royal Observer.

Author Sally Bedell Smith toldΒ The I Paper, "I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture. I'm not so sure about Louis."

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Could Charlotte choose her own path?

Despite being born into a special position, royal expert Ingrid Seward thinks Charlotte still has the freedom to choose her own destiny.

"It's not like it was in Charles' youth. Nowadays, children make their own decisions. It's just so different from when even William was brought up. I think children have immense choices now that they didn't have even 15 years ago," she said via The Royal Observer.

Anne and Camilla are 'totally opposite'

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Princess Anne and Queen Camilla have drastically different approaches to official gatherings.

According to GB News, palace aides said the two women are "totally opposite" when it comes to reviewing paperwork. The Princess Royal is described as a "relentless consumer" of briefing papers, while Camilla reportedly has a more "instinctive" style.

Their conflicting leadership style was highlighted during Anne's recent trip to Singapore. The Times reported Anne, known for being well-prepared for events, was "reeling off facts" while visiting the Rolls-Royce headquarters. The publication noted that if Camilla had been there, she likely would've "barely skimmed" her briefs, as she prioritizes "finding people how they are."

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Despite their opposing work styles, Anne has praised Camilla for fitting in with the royals.

"I've known her a long time, off and on," Anne said of her sister-in-law in Camilla inΒ Charles III: The Coronation. "Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the King has been absolutely outstanding."

"This role is not something that she would have been a natural for, but she does it really well. And she provides that change of speed and tone," she continued.

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Anne isn't the only person who's noticed Camilla's growth, as royal experts often applaud how the queen, once known as King Charles III's mistress, reshaped her public image.

"What Camilla did… she worked really hard at looking after Charles," royal expert Ingrid Seward told Fox News Digital.Β "Once she was married to Charles, she really took on the burden of royal duties, whichΒ isn'tΒ easy for someone [who]Β hasn'tΒ been brought up to it."

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Prior to Charles' cancer battle, Camilla had a demanding schedule.

"Imagine going to a very grand wedding every single day and having to get up, dressed up, go out, meet people and talk toΒ a lot ofΒ peopleΒ you'reΒ never going to meet again,"Β Seward continued.Β "That is quite exhausting every single day. And this is for a woman [who]… was an army housewife. She was used to slopping around in her jeans,Β doing theΒ gardening, going to her little shed and doing some painting, doing a bit of cooking, not really ever getting dressed up."

"But so suddenly to be thrust into that world was quite exhausting for her,"Β Seward added.

Sarah Ferguson fielding six-figure offers for first sit-down

People are chomping at the bit for a tell-all interview with Sarah Ferguson.

According to a source, the former Duchess of York is being offered large sums of money for a bombshell sit-down after being banished from the royal family due to her connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

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Ferguson might tell all

After being evicted from Royal Lodge and having her children's book axed from publication, Ferguson is likely weighing her options. "Sarah and her team have had offers from all over the world for a sit-down," one insider told The Sun about the reported six-figure proposals.

"She's thinking things over very carefully," the source said. "She and her team know a televised interview would be make or break for her in terms of salvaging her reputation."

"It would also give her the chance to spell out the fact she knew nothing about whatΒ EpsteinΒ and his associates were doing in terms of abusing girls," the insider continued.

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Ferguson fights back

The mother of two reportedly feels persecuted by The Firm and believes she has less culpability than Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

"Sarah is actually quite keen to answer questions as she strongly believes she's done nothing wrong and been harshly treated," the source claimed.

"She has to find money and somewhere to live next year," the insider continued. "Sarah is bruised like never before by events and things like the book being pulped have damaged her income."

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The Palace panics

As Ferguson decides whether to sell her story, Buckingham Palace staffers are worried she might go "rogue" and reveal shocking secrets.

"There's a danger of her going rogue and saying things that could cause embarrassment forΒ King CharlesΒ III andΒ Queen Camilla, or other members of the family," a second source said.

"But there's not much they can do to stop her," the insider continued. "Andrew has had his chances to tell his story. Now it's Fergie's time."

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Ferguson tries to win back public opinion

While Ferguson could feel inclined to tell her side of the story, she'll do so carefully in order to win back public opinion.

"She needs to take time to re-establish herself before she considers what to do," a third source added. "If she does do a TV interview, she won't run off and do it immediately."

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Ferguson defends herself from Epstein allegations

The 66-year-old also wants the world to know she had no involvement in Epstein's crimes against young women. "Andrew is unlikely to be keen, as an interview would be Sarah's chance to distance herself from him and explain she knew nothing," the same insider said.

"Sarah has always said she had no idea what Epstein and Andrew, were up to and why would anyone tell her?" the insider continued. "She's the mother of two girls after all. She admits she knew Epstein and the reality is that she cultivated a friendship because of his wealth. But that doesn't mean she knew what he was doing behind closed doors."