While controversial and scandalous upon its initial release, the book has made a profound influence on feminist ideologies and discussions about gender equality and autonomy
New details about Prince William and Princess Kate’s dating life before their royal wedding in 2011 have emerged, courtesy of royal biographer Robert Jobson’s latest book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, out August 6. Jobson details in his volume how the duo forged a friendship at the University of St. Andrews in the fall of 2001 before they became a couple.
The acclaimed author with extensive connections within the royal household writes that both Prince William and Kate Middleton were attached to different people at the time of their first meeting, but once they began dating each other, they often walked to class, browsed the local grocery store, or simply spent nights at home listening to music together. “Among the student community, it was an open secret that they were a couple,” Jobson notes, before detailing how the Prince’s ex-girlfriend forced the two to make their romance official.
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It was a stereotypical college party in the early 2000s when teens entertained themselves by playing games like Beer Pong, Spin the Bottle, Never Have I Ever, and more during gatherings. At one such party, while their group of friends was invested in the latter game, William’s ex-girlfriend, Carly Massy-Birch, “perhaps unwittingly” exposed William’s “secret love affair with Catherine,” Jobson jots in his aforementioned book.
Royal biographer Katie Nicholl also detailed what went down that night in 2002 in her 2011 book The Making of a Royal Romance. According to a party guest’s tip to Nicholl, when it was Massy-Birch’s turn to make confessions during the drunk game, “She announced, ‘I’ve never dated two people in this room,’” knowing full well that William was the only one who had because Kate was sitting next to him.
Nicholl’s tipster added that everyone was in shock by Massy-Birch’s rather bold move and that Prince William shot a cold look at her and whispered under his breath that he couldn’t believe her former friend just said that. “We knew they were together, but it was the first time William confirmed his and Kate’s relationship in public,” the source said.
The tension between William, Kate, and Massy-Birch did not, however, escalate, as can be concluded by the fact that she was invited to the duo’s royal wedding, along with a handful of the royal’s other former flames.
Kate and William, however, are currently going through testing times amid the former’s cancer diagnosis.
When the Princess of Wales announced her cancer detection this March following undergoing a planned abdominal surgery, she underscored how her husband has been a great source of strength and support to her in this difficult time. She also mentioned in her social media video message that it took some time to publicize her health details because she and her husband first had to make their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, comfortable with the critical bit of information.
Princess Catherine has been doing well recently, attending the Wimbledon Men’s final in July and the King’s official birthday ceremony earlier.
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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat registered a historic win in the women’s wrestling 50 kg freestyle division event in the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics after she defeated Yusneylys Guzman of Cuba by 5-0 on Tuesday, August 6. With this victory, Phogat became the first female wrestler from India to enter the finals in any Olympic Games.
As Vinesh Phogat registered a historic win in the women’s wrestling 50 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the hashtag #Dangal began trending on X (formerly Twitter). Netizens are now demanding a sequel to the 2016 blockbuster sports biopic Dangal, starring Aamir Khan. Phogat’s dominant 5-0 victory over Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez secured her spot in the final, making her the first Indian woman to reach an Olympic wrestling final.
One enthusiastic user wrote, “@niteshtiwari22 sir, please get ready for directing #Dangal2 as our queen #VineshPhogat is about to get a medal in @Paris2024. Thank you for making us proud #VineshPhogat.” Another commented, “Aamir Khan Sir, time for #Dangal2 #VineshPhogat.”
Another wrote, “If #VineshPhogat wins a gold medal in this Olympics, I think Nitesh Tiwari should start preparation for #Dangal2. #SanyaMalhotra can play a key role in the film.”
One commented, “Dangal fame VINESH PHOGAT, the first-ever Indian wrestler to play in an Olympic final—this has to be the greatest redemption story in our country #Dangal #Dangal2.”
A fan wrote, “Her life story deserves a Bollywood blockbuster. #VineshPhogat #Paris2024.” Others echoed, “So when are we getting #Dangal2?” and “Time to make a sequel. #Dangal2 #VineshPhogat.” Another user passionately commented, “Bhai, Aamir ko lekar #Dangal2 bana ab.”
Dangal, one of Bollywood’s most successful films, grossing Rs 2000 crore worldwide, tells the inspiring story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, an amateur wrestler who trains his daughters, Geeta and Babita, to become India’s pioneering female wrestling champions. The film, starring Aamir Khan as Mahavir, along with Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra as the adult Geeta and Babita, and Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar as their younger selves, also features Sakshi Tanwar as their mother.
The film’s emotional resonance and cultural impact have been profound, making a sequel an enticing prospect, especially considering the remarkable achievements of their cousin, Vinesh Phogat, who continues the family’s legacy in wrestling.
Vinesh Phogat’s journey to the Olympic final has been exceptional. She began by defeating the top-seeded and defending champion, Yui Susaki from Japan, in the Round of 16, and then narrowly won against Oksana Livach of Ukraine in the quarterfinals.
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