Home Page 4657

The most dramatic male makeovers

George Clooney turns 54-years-old tomorrow, and he’s never looked so good. Ironically, it will be his first birthday celebration as Mr Amal Alamuddin.

In light of the milestone, The Weekly take a look at the many men who have been made over by their wives, going from scruffy to sleek in months, or even weeks.

Amal isn’t the only woman who has successfully achieved the man makeover in Hollywood.

Before Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux was hairy, scruffy and terribly dressed but in a few short weeks Jen had shaved, plucked and styled him into the hunk we know today.

And during the Liz Hurley days Shane Warne barely resembled his pre-Liz Hurley self.

Gone were the frosted tips, wrinkles and extra kilograms – replaced by smooth skin, a svelte physique and a designer wardrobe.

Check out the most dramatic man makeovers here.

Pre Amal, George Clooney donning shaggy locks and a

larrikin-like smile at the Hard Rock Hotel in 1995. Now, with his wife by his side at the Met Gala, Clooney is all class.

Jennifer Aniston’s fiance Justin Theroux transformed with weeks of meeting her.

Shane Warne was chubby in 2007, but thin and wrinkle-free in London last year.

Keith Urban in 2001 and with wife Nicole Kidman in 2011.

Liev Schreiber was very scruffy in 2001, but Naomi Watts had polished him up by 2011.

Guy Ritchie looked daggy in 2000, but Madonna had him looking dapper by 2008.

John Mayer went from grunge to gentleman when he dated Jennifer Aniston in 2009.

Kevin Federline pre-Britney Spears, during their short marriage, and afterwards.

Gavin Rossdale in 1995, and with wife Gwen Stefani in 2011.

Kelsey Grammer remarried in 2011 and suddenly dressed 20 years younger.

Reese Witherspoon’s husband Jim Toth in 2002, and with her in 2012.

Brad Pitt was super-sexy before Angelina Jolie, but scarily hairy in 2009.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Back to work for the Duchess of Cambridge!

Back to work for the Duchess of Cambridge!

She’s still technically on maternity leave, but royal duties already beckon Duchess Kate.

According to MailOnline, the new mum is set to fulfil an official public engagement on September 12, as guest of honour at a charity gala. It will be her first job since George’s July 22 birth. Not a bad way to go back to work!

Kate and Prince William will appear at the Tusk Conservation Awards held by Tusk Trust – a charity for which William is patron. Wills is a strong supporter of the charity, which funds wildlife conservation projects in Africa, including preserving some of the world’s most endangered species.

“It is a long standing engagement,” a representative of Kensington Palace told MailOnline, confirming the Duke and Duchess will be in attendance.

Of course, every special event calls for a special outfit – and in this case, it will be Kate’s first post-baby outfit since the celebrated light blue dress by Jenny Packham that she wore outside the hospital where George was born. So the question on fashion watchers’ lips is, what will she wear?

Related video: First glimpse of the royal baby.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

New mum Kate back to work after baby

Prince George's Godparents announced

Kate and William will appear together at a charity gala next month.

New mum the Duchess of Cambridge will be back at work sooner than expected with her first royal engagement scheduled less than eight weeks after the birth of her baby Prince George.

Kate will take a break from her ongoing maternity leave to attend the inaugural Tusk Convention Awards as a guest of honour alongside her husband, Prince William, on September 12, the Daily Mail reports.

It will be the Duchess’s first engagement since the birth of Prince George on July 22. She hasn’t been seen in public since departing Kensington Palace for her parents’ country home in Berkshire the following day.

All eyes will no doubt be on what Kate is wearing as it will be the first look at the Duchess’s post-baby wardrobe since the Cambridge family emerged from St Mary’s Hospital with Kate wearing a blue polka-dot frock by British designer Jenny Packham.

Prince William has already resumed his work on the royal circuit appearing at the Angelesey show in Wales earlier in the week, and has returned to work as a search and rescue pilot after two weeks of paternity leave.

The event next month is one close to William’s heart. It is organised by the Tusk Trust, a UK charity that funds African conservation projects to which the Prince is patron.

Prince William has close ties to the charity, as like his late mother Diana, he has a great passion for the country, people, and ongoing conservation work in Africa.

In a new documentary entitled Prince William’s Passion: New Father, New Hope, the Duke speaks of his work with the Tusk Trust and reveals he hopes his son will follow in his footsteps.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

William gives first interview since birth of baby

William gives first full interview since birth of baby

William in a still from his new interview.

Prince William has given a candid interview about fatherhood and his hopes and dreams for his new son Prince George.

William, 31, sat down with CNN and ITV in Kensington Palace to give his first full interview since becoming a father on July 22.

The footage — which will be screened next month as part of new documentary Prince William’s Passion: New Father, New Hope — see William “animatedly” discussing his son and reflecting on how fatherhood has changed him forever.

William also revealed his hopes that George will share his passion for nature and pledged to redouble his work with conservation charity the Tusk Trust so that his son can enjoy holidays to Africa like he and Harry did as young boys.

Footage from the chat has yet to emerge, but CNN’s Max Foster, who conducted the interview, said he had never seen William so unguarded and happy.

“I’ve never seen him so animated,” Foster said. “We had lots of time with him and he was on great form. I’m thrilled with the interview.”

“The documentary offers viewers a unique and rare insight into the true passions in Prince William’s life, Africa, wildlife conservation and, above all, his family,” an ITV spokesperson added.

The documentary will also include footage of one of William, Kate and George’s first outings as a family.

William also spoke about his new son yesterday during an appearance at an agricultural show in Anglesey. He said the baby had been keeping him on his toes, but he loved every second of fatherhood.

“He’s pretty loud but of course very good looking,” William said. “I have to say that I thought Search and Rescue duties were physically and mentally demanding, but looking after a three-week-old baby is up there!”

William also revealed he and Kate hope to bring George to Australia next year.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Shop ’til you drop… a dress size

Shop 'til you drop… a dress size

Shopping not only makes you happy, it can help you lose weight a new study says.

Shopping has long been a guilty pleasure of Australian women, but a new survey shows they needn’t feel bad about the habit at all.

The UK study, led by Wall’s Solero Exotic, found that women cover the equivalent of seven marathons per year during their shopping expeditions, burning off as much as 15,000 extra calories.

Shopping was also proven boost happiness as well as aiding weight loss, and was found to be a more enjoyable activity among women than getting fit.

Researchers inferred the incentive to slim down while shopping would deter women from shopping online, which has become a huge phenomenon especially among female shoppers.

The survey said 58 per cent of women would happily venture to their favourite boutiques with the knowledge that a trip to the shops would aid in their weight loss.

“This is definitely a great incentive amongst women to combine one of their most popular hobbies with possibly one of their least favourite things to do i.e. keeping fit,” said a spokeswoman from Curves fitness.

“But it’s also highly important to take into account that following a decent diet will assist even further in women looking to lose weight, and that just shopping alone may not be enough to help keep those calories off.”

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Another royal baby! Windsors welcome baby girl

Another royal baby! Windsors welcome baby girl

Lord Freddie Windsor with his wife Lady Sophie.

Just three weeks after Prince George made his fashionably late arrival into the world, Britain has welcomed another royal baby.

Lord Frederick Windsor’s wife Sophie Winkleman gave birth to a baby girl at UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles yesterday.

“Lady Frederick Windsor was yesterday safely delivered of a baby girl at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles,” a statement said.

“The weight of the baby was 7lb. Lord Frederick Windsor was present at the birth. The baby’s name will be confirmed in a few days.”

Frederick Windsor — known as Freddie — is the eldest son of the Queen’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent, 71. Michael was born eighth in line to the throne but gave up his place in the succession to marry his wife, Princess Michael of Kent, who was a Catholic and refused to convert to Anglicanism.

Freddie kept his place in the succession and is currently 41st in line to the throne, making his new daughter 42nd in line.

Freddie and Sophie, an actress who appeared on sitcomTwo and a Half Men, married in a lavish ceremony at Hampton Court Palace in 2009.

They are currently living in LA where she is pursuing her acting career and he is working as a financial analyst.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Snow holiday travel guide

Want to go skiing, but think it’s all too complicated? As Australia enjoys some bumper snowfalls, take these top tips for a family adventure to Victoria’s Falls Creek.
People on a skiilift

It’s a nerve-wracking thrill — dropping your seven-year-old son at the top of a snow-capped mountain, urging him to keep his shiny black helmet strapped tight.

As he’d only seen snow the first time when we arrived at Falls Creek just hours before, I thought his lesson would involve gently sliding around the junior enclosure, with its jaunty flags and barely-there slope.

So I was amazed that, by 3pm, he’d already graduated to the adult learner slope, where the cutely named Mousetrap magic carpet transports novices up the hill.

By noon the next day, he’d conquered ‘Wombat’s Run’, the picturesque 2.2k track which meanders down the mountain — the nation’s longest green (beginner’s) run.

So is it worth taking a child to the snow? Yes, there is a lot of gear to fit and clips to be done up, neck muffs to pull on, zips to do up, snow goggles to adjust and hot chocolate to buy.

But it is a magical experience they will never forget, and children are fast learners! All over the mountain, there were oh-so-cute processions of three to five kids, carefully tailing their instructors like ducklings following their mum. (And if truth be told, I tagged along behind one little gang when I got lost on skis!)

My son, Liam, enjoyed every bit of the adventure, from flying through the sky on the chairlift, to showing off his newfound skills, and learning to make snowballs. He learnt in a day and a half, what had taken me over a week to master two decades ago in Austria.

Falls Creek, in north-eastern Victoria, is a winter wonderland, a ski-in ski-out resort where every minute feels like an adventure.

It is ideal for families, as 80 per cent is dedicated for beginner and intermediate skiiers and boarders.

Our apartment (at Limlimbu) is perfect for families, with toasty warm heating, and a personal drying room. Just fill it up with jackets, scarves and boots, and they are bone-dry within a few hours. Just walk down the apartment steps, strap your skis on, and you can ski straight to the bottom of the Falls Express chairlift.

And even better, just 50 or so strides up a snow-covered road (don’t forget your rubber boots), you’ll find the Summit Ridge restaurant, a fine-dining establishment complete with roaring fire and weather station so you can keep an eye on just how cold it is outside!

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Oprah Winfrey on the brink of breakdown

Oprah Winfrey has revealed starting her own TV network led her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey has revealed starting her own TV network led her to the brink of a nervous breakdown.

The 59-year-old TV mogul quit her popular talk show in 2011 to start the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

The channel struggled with ratings from the start and by March 2012, it had losses estimated at $330 million, taking a devastating toll on Oprah’s mental health.

In typical Oprah style, she struggled on, ignoring her feelings of anxiety and panic, until a mid-2012 interview with film director Jason Russell.

“He was talking about having a nervous breakdown, and I was thinking, ‘I have those symptoms,'” Oprah told People magazine.

A few days later, Oprah said she reached breaking point while recording voiceovers for OWN.

“I remember closing my eyes while I was reading,” she said. “I thought, ‘I cannot have another thing enter my brain’. I needed to pull back.

“After 25 years of being number one I had become accustomed to success. I didn’t expect failure. I was tested and I had to dig deep.

“People were counting me out. The schadenfreude was very painful for me, because I had never experienced it. I thought, ‘Do I not get credit for the 25 years? What have I gotten myself into?'”

Oprah credits her long-time love Stedman Graham with pulling her back from the brink of a breakdown, saying his advice and support was invaluable.

“He was amazing,” she said. “He said, ‘You can’t even think about quitting. You have been in cruise control. It’s gonna turn around, but you’ve gotta do the work.'”

OWN’s fortunes are slowing turning around, with experts estimating it will break even later this year.

Related stories


Home Page 4657

William and Kate bringing baby to Australia next year

William and Kate bringing baby to Australia next year

Prince William has revealed he and Kate hope to bring their new son Prince George to Australia next year.

The Duke of Cambridge let slip his travel plans while chatting with Australian couple Max and Maxine Davies at the Anglesey county fair in Wales yesterday.

“George is doing really well, thank you,” William told the couple, who hail from Victor Harbour, near Adelaide. “We are all very hopefully coming to Australia next year.”

If the trip goes ahead, it would mirror the trip William made when he was just a baby himself.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana travelled to Australia in 1983 with William in tow. He was less than one year old at the time.

William also opened up about his first few weeks of fatherhood, and the personality of his little boy.

“He’s pretty loud but of course very good looking,” William said. “I have to say that I thought Search and Rescue duties were physically and mentally demanding, but looking after a three-week-old baby is up there!”

Related stories


Home Page 4657

Mean monarch? Queen pays maids just $20k

Queen seeks a maid for just $20k

The Queen is hoping the royal baby arrives soon so it doesn't interrupt her holiday.

The Queen is advertising for a new maid but while the successful applicant will get to live in a palace and rub shoulders with royalty, they’ll be paid less than a third of what housekeepers in other government branches earn.

Her Majesty is currently seeking a full-time housekeeping assistant to work at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The role involves 37.5 hours a week of cleaning, dusting, bed-making and waiting on guests at special functions.

Applicants must have hospitality experience, be passionate, hard-working, flexible and “committed to achieving exceptional standards of service provision” but will receive just over minimum wage, the equivalent of just over $10 an hour or $20,000 per annum.

This is a meagre wage indeed compared to other similar positions in UK government offices.

Brighton and Hove City Council in England’s south are currently advertising for an housekeeping assistant to help clean the Royal Pavilion Estate. Despite requiring just 15 hours per week of work, less than half of the Holyroodhouse job, the position pays $26,000, an hourly rate of $33, more than three times as much as the royal household role.

Similarly in the private sector, housekeeping assistants are paid an average of $32,000 per annum, more than twice as much as the same position in the royal household.

Royal Household jobs are famously low-paid, but are still extremely coveted by British job seekers.

While salaries are small, there are many perks including accommodation in royal palaces (although this is not as glamorous as it sounds and is deducted from employees’ salaries), free lunches, generous annual leave and sick pay entitlements, bicycle and mobile phone salary sacrifice schemes and free tickets to a large number of events each year.

The Royal Household also has attractive entitlements surrounding maternity and paternity leave, fertility treatment leave, parental leave, and child care vouchers.

It is also regarded as an extremely social workplace where people work hard and play hard, with a party in staff quarters most nights.

Related stories