I’ve worked as a royal journalist for over 20 years, writing for tabloids, magazines and online publications. Most of my work has been focused on the British royal family, although I’ve covered other royal families too.
My work has involved writing blogs, news stories, background pieces and occasionally expert opinions. Some of the things I’ve written have been controversial, and some stories have obviously been more sensitive than others.
Over the years, I’ve come across information before it became public. Sometimes it came through people working around the royals, sometimes through other journalists or photographers, and sometimes through sources who wanted to remain anonymous. And yes, there are things I know that will probably never become public.
One of the moments I’m proudest of happened around 2012.
I was working at a magazine when a paparazzo approached us claiming to have topless sunbathing photographs of Catherine, Princess of Wales, who was Kate Middleton at the time. Initially, I thought he might be bluffing, but he showed us the photographs.
The magazine was interested in publishing them, but I strongly objected. I felt it was a serious invasion of her privacy, and I didn’t think publishing private photographs like that was justified. I argued against it, and ultimately the magazine didn’t publish them.
Another publication eventually did, and the consequences were significant, including a substantial fine.
Looking back, I’m still glad I stood my ground. It wasn’t just about protecting someone who would one day become queen. It was about what I believed journalism should and shouldn’t do.
That’s just one story from a very long career. I’ve covered royal scandals, palace rumours, media controversies, private briefings, leaks and plenty of things that never made it into print.
So, AMA. I’ll answer what I can without identifying private sources or sharing information that was given to me in confidence.