The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman, Random House, $32.95. There was an international bidding war for this debut novel by Australian author Margot Stedman and while the plotline is solid, it is the mesmerising quality of the writing that has caused the much deserved commotion. Stedman’s descriptions are superb: vivid and accessible without being […]

One in four Australian children are overweight or obese but should their parents tell them they are fat? US socialite Dara-Lynn Weiss has sparked worldwide controversy for doing just that. Weiss opened up about her seven-year-old daughter’s battle with her weight in the April issue of US Vogue. Related: Why girls are having sex at […]

Prince William has surprised Kate Middleton with a romantic Swiss ski holiday to make up for missing Valentine’s Day. The Duke of Cambridge arrived back in the UK last Wednesday after seven weeks in the Falkland Islands. It was the longest the couple have been apart since their brief split in 2007 and an “emotional” […]

Queen Elizabeth is usually well-versed in matters of etiquette, but she didn’t seem to mind showing up uninvited to a stranger’s wedding on Friday. The 85-year-old monarch was visiting Manchester Town Hall when she was told that local couple John and Frances Canning had just exchanged vows inside. Related: William and Kate’s romantic ski break […]

Women in management have a reputation for being demanding and difficult but a new study has found they’re actually better bosses than men. The survey found that women bosses were more democratic and easier to communicate with, allowing their employees to participate in decision-making and encouraging feedback on management policies. “In line with known gender […]

Prince William and Kate Middleton had an emotional reunion yesterday after seven weeks apart. William returned to the UK after a seven-week tour of duty in the Falkland Islands and was met at the airfield by an excited Kate. In pictures: Kate Middleton steps out in her mother’s dress It was the longest time the […]

Prince Charles is not known for his charm, but he turned it on for Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary yesterday. Charles, 63, stared into Mary’s eyes as he slowly smooched her right hand, leaving the princess looking more than a little uncomfortable. Hand kissing is a royal tradition that goes back centuries, but Charles is one […]

When you’ve watched someone from afar for so long, it’s always bizarre to hear them speak and Kate Middleton is no exception. We’ve seen thousands of pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge over the years, but she hasn’t spoken publicly since becoming a royal — until now. In pictures: Kate Middleton borrows her mother’s dress […]

Kate Middleton made her first public speech yesterday but it was her outfit that made the headlines. Instead of buying a new dress for the momentous occasion, the Duchess of Cambridge donned a blue Reiss frock last seen on her 57-year-old mother Carole in 2010. Kate, 30, is famous for recycling her favourite outfits, and […]

George Clooney has given women everywhere another reason to adore him - while in prison last week he used his only phone call to ring his mum to tell her he loved her.