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Kate Middleton Shares New Photos With George and Charlotte to Celebrate Mother's Day in the U.K.


For Mother’s Day in the U.K., Kate Middleton and Prince William spread a little cheer online by posting a few rare photos that offer a personal look at their family.

On Sunday, March 22, the royal couple sent happy wishes to all the moms out there while showing off a selection of sweet, intimate shots on their joint Instagram account, @KensingtonRoyal. The first photo portrayed Kate giving Princess Charlotte a piggyback ride while William carried Prince George on his back. If you scroll all the way through, the post also shared a card George made for his mom to celebrate today’s occasion.

The card George made is an adorable example of his handiwork, featuring a hand-drawn vase with cut-out paper flowers. The post also included images of Prince Diana with Prince Harry and Prince William, and Kate with her mother Carole Middleton.

In the caption, the duke and duchess referenced the difficult period of isolation and social distance happening throughout the globe as a result of the coronavirus health pandemic. “To mothers new and old and families spending today together and apart – we are thinking of you all at this difficult time,” the post read.

Kate and Prince William reached out to those on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak in London last week, visiting first responders to thank them for their work during the health crisis. They reportedly met with a few met staffers and sent regards from the Queen and Prince Charles.

“That is why Catherine and I were proud to visit staff working at NHS 111, to pass on our personal thanks, along with those of my grandmother and father, to staff working around the clock to provide care and advice to those that need it most,” Prince William told the first-responders. “All of us have a part to play if we’re going to protect the most vulnerable. That means acting on the latest expert advice, staying home if we or those we live with have symptoms, and avoiding nonessential contact to help reduce the spread of the virus.”



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Mother's Day 2019: The Best Celebrity Instagrams


On Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 12), celebrities took to social media to shower the most important women in their lives with love and thanks—including their own mothers, grandmothers, the women who gave birth to their beautiful children, and other mother figures.

New mother Meghan Markle shared a teeny snapshot of her new son, Archie. In a post celebrating Mother’s Day on her shared account with her husband, Prince Harry, Meghan wrote, “Paying tribute to all mothers today – past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honor and celebrate each and every one of you.” Hear, hear.

Here are just a handful of the loving tributes from celebs to the women who have been there since (truly) day one.

Meghan Markle

In a beautiful post sent via her and Prince Harry’s official account, the new parents shared the cute toes of their son Archie in front of a field of forget-me-nots, Princess Diana’s favorite flower. “Paying tribute to all mothers today – past, present, mothers-to-be, and those lost but forever remembered. We honor and celebrate each and every one of you,” the post read.

Khloé Kardashian

Khloé posted an adorable selfie of her alongside her daughter, True—with smiles on each from ear to ear. “It’s Mothers Day!!! Happy Mother’s Day ??,” she wrote.

Hailey Bieber

For her Mother’s Day post, Hailey shared some love for both her mother and grandmother, capturing the image “3 generations.”

Amber Tamblyn

Amber celebrated Mother’s Day by posting a poignant poem dedicated to mothers everywhere. She added, “Happy Mother’s Day to anyone and everyone who has been a parent to someone who needed it, whether that’s a child, a friend, or to themselves.”

Kylie Jenner

For her day, Kylie posted an image of her and baby Stormi, apparently mid-photoshoot. “The best thing I’ve ever done, my greatest role in this life,” she wrote.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese took this Mother’s Day to pay tribute to her mother, writing, “You are the BEST Mom I could ever dream of. The most creative, curious, joyful person I know. I love the way you laugh and sing and find happiness in little things like squirrels on your porch and birds outside your window.” She added, “You’re my biggest inspiration and my best friend. I love you, MOM.”

Julia Roberts

The movie star posted a vintage picture of her mom—and now we know where Julia got her gorgeous smile from.

Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney shared a pic featuring her and her brood in Italy—and a short but sweet caption: “My heartbeat.”

Lea Michelle

Lea shared an adorable snap of her and her mom from her wedding day. She captioned it, “Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing and beautiful mommy!”

Michelle Obama

The former First Lady posted an image of herself with her mother and daughters. In the caption, she paid homage to all the lessons her mother taught her: “From an early age, she saw that I had a flame inside me, and she never tempered it. She made sure that I could keep it lit. Mom, thank you for kindling that fire within me, and for your example as a mother and a grandmother to our girls. We would never be who we are today without you. #HappyMothersDay, Mom. Love you.”

Mindy Kaling

“I always used to dread Mother’s Day because of how much I miss my own mom who passed away 8 years ago. Going to brunch and seeing all these women laughing and talking to their moms made me so jealous! But this year, I feel lucky to have my daughter, because telling her stories about her grandmother is a great distraction. But I will always feel that hole in my heart. So I want to send lots of love to those out there who are missing their mothers,” she wrote.



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My Mother Died Before I Had the Chance to Say Goodbye. Here's What Mother's Day Means to Me.


My mom died two years ago this spring. She had complications from a stem cell transplant to rid her of lymphoma. She was only 58 years old.

The night before she died, my aunt texted me that my mother was in the ER and that I should call her. This was a common thing, her going to the ER, because of her breathing condition. I thought, “I can’t do this right now.” I had two events that night, back-to-back, and was preparing for meetings the next morning. On the car ride home, I took my time on Instagram and fell asleep on the couch watching My So Called Life. I had thought to call her all night, and then just forgot. This would haunt me for a long time. I woke up at 4am EST which would have been 1am PST (she was in Oregon), and I felt a wave of electricity wash over me. I fell back asleep and then woke up in a panic to get to work. As I was rushing to the subway, I saw a text from my aunt that said “Call me!”

I almost waited until I got out of the subway in Soho. (It’s important to understand that my mom had been sick for many years, and trips to the ER had sadly become a normal occurrence.) But I called my aunt right away and when she picked up the phone, she said, “Honey, I’m so sorry, but your mom had an episode last night and is gone.” I couldn’t believe it. The air completely left my lungs. She told me my mom was unconscious, but still had a heart beat. I FaceTimed her right then, in the middle of the street and hysterical. I was able to tell her that I loved her and what an amazing mother she was, as she left this world and crossed over to the next. I believe she heard every word I said. When I hung up the phone with her, I just collapsed into the street and cried, “I wasn’t ready” and “I didn’t get to say goodbye.”

The writer with her two children.

Courtesy Sara Larson

With Mother’s Day this weekend and the recent birth of my son, whom she never got to meet, I’ve been thinking a lot about her and how hard it has been to walk through this time without her. I’ve been replaying my last conversation with her, which took place a week before she died. It was a normal afternoon lunch break chat and I remember feeling frustrated with her because she was a little blues-y. I also thought I might be pregnant (which I wasn’t—although I had been trying for almost two years at this point) and wanted to tell her, but decided not to because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. With the two-year anniversary of her memoriam, I was hit with the realization of how much I truly missed her during this pregnancy and would have loved to hear her voice even for five minutes to assure me that my delivery would go well and that I shouldn’t be afraid.

It still feels surreal that she’s not here and as I look at my children I just miss her and wish they could experience her love and light. For a long time, I beat myself up that I hadn’t called her the night before. I found out that she had wanted to call me and my brothers and even had her phone brought to her in the hospital bed but was so short of breath that she never called. I never called. What would I have said to her in that last conversation? And would it have been so different from the previous one I’d just had with her? We always ended our phone calls with “I love you.” But would it have been it different to actually feel like I was saying goodbye? Would I even have known that that’s what I was doing?



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The Absolute 12 Best Mother's Day Gifts 2019: Purses, Face Masks, Plants and More


Our moms do a lot for us: They raise us, they put up with us during our teen years, and, even after that, they spend the next decades worrying about us. Mother’s Day should probably be every day—but on the one official occasion we’re supposed to do it up for mom, it’s more important than ever to find a unique gift she’s going to love. So, the stakes are high. But Never fear: We’ve gone ahead and identified the absolute best of the best, the products that are just as special and cool as mother dearest.

For Mother’s Day 2019, the options include a chic piece of carry-on luggage (for all those visits to go see you, of course); a sheet mask that’s basically a hydrating, glow-inducing miracle in a packet; a tote that truly holds it all; a pair of sparkling peacock earrings that are sure to turn heads; even some house plants. We’ve also thrown in a few great picks for new moms, too, because although you can’t gift them what they really need—a two-hour nap—these gift ideas will make life a little less stressful (and yes, their sleep a little more sound).

Read on for our picks for the best Mother’s Day gifts for every kind of mom.



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Mother's Day 2018: The Best Celebrity Instagrams


This Mother’s Day, as we’re getting together with our moms, spending time with our kids, or remembering brilliant, beautiful mothers who have sadly passed, celebrities are taking to Instagram to pay tribute to their own matriarchs. From devoted momagers (Yolanda Hadid and Kris Jenner, we’re looking at you) to incredible moms who stayed out of the spotlight or worked long hours to create opportunity for their kids, these women—much like our own moms—deserve a ton of love. Scroll through for some very poignant, heartfelt Mother’s Day tributes from celebrities to the mamas that raised them.

Gabrielle Union

“This is my mom. Mom graduated from high school in the mid 60s & went straight to work. She met my dad & they began to take college courses at night after work & cleaned a daycare after classes for free childcare. My mom didnt graduate from college until 1983. She never gave up, she never stopped working. This is who raised me. She has never had enough resources but she’s always made a way. When my parents got divorced after almost 30 yrs she didnt make it our business or talk to us about her “side”, she made sure we loved and respected our dad. She prioritized our peace. At 60 my mom adopted 3 more kids…shes still going and shes still finding a way against all the odds. This incredible woman is my forever inspiration and I love you and celebrate you today and everyday. Love you Theresa Marie Glass Union. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY”

Gal Gadot

“Happy Mother’s Day Ima! I love you sooo sooooo sooooo much. You’ve always been there for me, always loving me. Thank you for all that you do for me and our family.”

“Sometimes all you need is your Mama ? #happymothersday”

Michelle Obama

“It’s impossible for any picture to truly capture what my mother, Marian, has meant to me. Happy #MothersDay to all of the moms out there, and especially to my own.”

Rihanna

“beautiful. sweet. strong. humble. gang. – @monica_fenty ??? Happy Mother’s Day to my fav’ !!! sending love to all the mothers, the mothers to be, and the ones who stepped in to be mothers to those who can’t be with theirs today! God bless you not just today, but everyday for the thankless and selfless jobs that you do! You’re greatly appreciated!!”

Jessica Alba

“Motherhood: it’s a doozy, isn’t it? Your world gets turned completely upside down. Everything you thought you knew about what was important is no longer. And all the things you once took for granted — like sleep, and sitting down to eat an actual meal — become the greatest luxuries. Little people change you. To love and need someone that much and have them love and need you just as much…it’s the best and hardest and most heartbreaking thing there is. I still can’t believe it, but my oldest baby is almost 10 years old. And you know what? She doesn’t need me in the same ways she once did. There goes that heartbreak again…but it’s true. The time we have with our little ones when they’re actually little is so fleeting. And it’s a reminder for me to be present and cherish every messy moment. Every tantrum, every tired cry, every bit of these days that sometimes feel like they’ll never end. Because the truth is, they will. As a first-time mother, I was still learning about this person I had become. And I felt like everything had to be just perfect. But these days, I’m ok if my baby cries a little bit…because I know he’ll be ok. And so what if the dishes pile up in the sink…and if my living room looks nothing like the Instagram post five seconds after I take the picture. It’s all ok. This Mother’s Day (and really, every day), I want to thank you for trusting us @honest to be a part of your journey. And I want to let you know that even if it doesn’t always feel like it, you’ve got this. It’s not gonna be perfect. But you’re an amazing mama. And that’s everything. xo. ?❤️✨”

Nicki Minaj

“My mother told me to post this. ?Love you mommy.”

Drew Barrymore

“I took this pic about 2 years ago and we have all changed so much. But the love we have here has only grown stronger. I love this picture and carry it everywhere I go. I carry it in my heart. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY. although everyday is Mother’s Day, it is sure great to celebrate! My olive and my Frankie… you are the loves of my life.”

Gigi Hadid

“Happy Mother’s Day to the greatest ☺️ @yolanda.hadid ? !!!! ??????We love you more than words could ever say. You are everything! x”

“❤️”

Bella Hadid

“Each time my feet touched the earth I knew my mother was there with me. I knew this body was not mine but a living continuation of my mother and my father and my grandparents and great-grandparents. Of all my ancestors. Those feet that I saw as “my” feet were actually “our” feet. Together my mother and I were leaving footprints in the damp soil” – Thich Nhat Hanh ? To all the moms, grandmamas, and the women who have stepped up to be…we appreciate and love you. Happy Mother’s Day to my queen my anchor my home the creator of my existence”

Gwen Stefani

“I love my beautiful mom ❤️ happy Mother’s Day to a loving inspiring human gx”

Emily Ratajkowski

“Happy Mother’s Day to the number one woman in my life. Your love is the most magical thing in the universe and I am forever grateful to be your daughter.”

Priyanka Chopra

“Keep smiling! @madhumalati love u.. ❤️sending love to all the mothers who are and were and all the mothers to be.. ?‍❤️‍? you are greatly appreciated #happymothersday “

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen

“Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful wife Chrissy. I see so much of you in Luna and I love it so much. I can’t wait to meet our little boy and to see you give him so much love and get so much love in return. I’m so happy to be on this journey with you.”

Reese Witherspoon

“Happy #MothersDay, Mom! You are the embodiment of Southern grace, humor, and charm. There’s nothing I love more than our conversations over sweet tea. ?”

Anne Hathaway

“Happy #MothersDay to my Mom, the actress Kate McCauley Hathaway. This is a photo of her as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. She was four months pregnant with my older brother when she played this part and did cartwheels on stage every dang night- twice on matinee days. She pursued her dreams of being an actress while raising three children before that was cool and before you got credit for it— and she hasn’t stopped. She is in rehearsal right now for “At Wit’s End” at Cape May Stage which runs May 24th- June 22nd. If you find yourself in the cutest town just south of #exitzero in NJ, you should check her out.Mama, you’re the Queen. Happy Mother’s Day xx”

Ariana Grande

“mommy ! i love you so so so much. thank you for being a mom and a dad, a best friend, an inspiration, a comedian, a healer, a genius and a brilliant example of a woman. I hope I can be even half the superwoman you are someday. happy happy mother’s day mommy ! you deserve the whole universe and more.”

Jennifer Lopez

“Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful Mommy…You light up every room you are in… with your energy and joy… you make me laugh in a way no one else can and I am so grateful you are my mother. You are so much a part of all I am. You made me believe I could do anything and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today of it weren’t for you. I love you with all my heart. Happy Mother’s Day mommy!!! #thelupenator #whereallmydancingskillscomefrom #igetitfrommymama #unconditionallove #amotherslove❤️ #youalsodrivemecrazybutiloveyou”

Kendall Jenner

“hi mom”

Khloé Kardashian

“Happy Mother’s Day to the best mommy we could ask for!! Just remember mama “you’re doing amazing sweetie!” You really are!! We couldn’t imagine life without you!! You are the reason for it all!! Thank you for showing us what unconditional love and loyalty is!”

Kim Kardashian

“Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom in the entire world! You’ve taught us all how to live life to the fullest and work hard for what you want. You’ve always taught us that family above everything! Thank you for being the best grandma to my kids! I love you”

“You don’t even understand how many lollipop bribes this pic cost me…but it was so worth. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. I’m the luckiest mom in the world to have these three babies in my life!”

Kris Jenner

“Happy Mother’s Day to my mom MJ! Mom, thank you for all you do for me and for raising me to be strong and independent and passionate and to love hard… I love you with all my heart ❤️ #HappyMothersDay”

Amy Schumer

“Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for always being there and always answering when I call. I love you.”

Kristin Davis

“Home made Mother’s Day cards are the best ? Wishing all of the moms and women who want to be a mom and nurturing women everywhere a wonderful day!”

Taraji P. Henson

“She is pure unconditional love. She is grace and Mercy. She is strength and protection. She is giver of life. SHE IS A MOTHER AND I THANK GOD EVERYDAY THAT SHE IS MY MOTHER!!! I love you Mushia Ladybug!!!! Happy Mother’s Day EVERYDAY!!! GODIS?????”

“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the kick ass mom’s out there from one tough #Cookie @empirefox ???”

Camila Cabello

“here’s to the kind of woman I hope to be one day….. thank you thank you thank you for being my angel on earth and for everything you do that nobody sees. i could never be me without you, and i have my biggest role model as my best friend- i love you and I’m so thankful for who you are and everything you’ve done for our family”

Diane Kruger

“Happy Mother’s Day ♥️♥️♥️ To many more adventures together ♥️♥️”

Jenna Dewan

“The love and gratitude i have for this amazing mama right here is endless. Thank you Mom for showing me how to love deeply and with strength, and to look for the light no matter what. I love you!Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there! I see you and love you all ??”

“And ohhhhh myyy goodnesssss to this little fairy baby right here. Thank you Everly for choosing me as your mother:heartbeat: I will love, cherish and support you till the end of time. You teach me every single day and i am continually in awe of your strength and your wisdom. I can’t believe this was almost 5 years ago….!!!! Love you bigger than the sky and all the stars”

Zendaya

“To the Queens of my world…my grandmothers…happy Mother’s Day.”

“Mommy”

Jessica Biel

“It took me almost thirty years to truly understand everything you sacrificed for me. I am in awe of your wisdom and grace, and I hope I can emulate those ideals with my own child (without ending up in a straitjacket). I love you so much Mom. Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the amazing moms kicking ass and taking names in the world.”

Related Stories:

What Women Who Have Experienced Loss Want to Hear on Mother’s Day

10 Books to Buy Your Mom for Mother’s Day That She’ll Actually Read

These Powerful Photos Capture the Beauty of Mothers Around the World



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Mother's Day Actually Has a Deep History of Activism


To many, Mother’s Day means flowers and brunch—but its origins are much more radical than a Hallmark card can handle. The holiday has a deep history of activism and political protests, which feels worth revisiting now, in 2018. After all, this is a year in which an increasing number of mothers were inspired to run for office so they can make a difference, the Women’s March celebrated its anniversary with protests across the country, and a female politician made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. Senator to give birth. Motherhood is a powerful unifying force, something the founders of Mother’s Day certainly recognized.

The holiday’s creation is generally attributed to a woman named Anna Jarvis, who campaigned Congress through many letters and moving speeches to make it an officially recognized day. In 1914, Jarvis got her wish when Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation that declared the second Sunday in May a “a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.”

PHOTO: Bettmann

Mother’s Day Founder Anna Jarvis

In her book Memorializing Motherhood, author Katharine Antolini describes Jarvis as a devoted daughter, who wanted the day to serve as an observance of the “primary source of a home’s security and love.” But as the years passed, according to Antolini, Jarvis came to deeply resent how the card and candy companies had co-opted the holiday. Jarvis also disliked it when women’s activist groups, like the Suffragettes, used the day to make political statements.

Ironically, though, her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, was an activist herself and known as a leader in her community. Beginning in 1858, Ann Reeves Jarvis organized Mothers’ Day Work Clubs, which helped educate struggling mothers in their area of West Virginia. According to Antolini, Anna was reluctant to discuss her mother’s activism and spent years publicly battling the meaning of the holiday she’d helped create.

But the use of “Mother’s Day” in America can be traced back even before Anna Jarvis’ campaign began. In 1870, poet and activist Julia Ward Howe wrote an appeal—known as the “Mother’s Day Proclamation”—for women to unite for peace. Two years later, she declared a “Mother’s Day for Peace” should be celebrated every June 2. Howe was calling for the end of state-supported violence, motivated by the recent devastation of the Civil War and Franco-Prussian War. For years, she organized events around the day.

Julia Ward Howe

PHOTO: Historical

Suffragette and Poet Julia Ward Howe

Though she came before Anna Jarvis (and her Mother’s Day for Peace arguably had more in common with the 1858 work clubs), Howe’s concept of a Mother’s Day dedicated to activism and anti-war efforts was largely eclipsed for many years. Today, though, it’s still referenced in activist circles, particularly on the east coast, many of whom continue to make Mother’s Day an important part of their yearly organizing efforts.

When anti-war group the Granny Peace Brigade (GPB) held their first Mother’s Day Rally in 2006, they handed out flyers printed with the words written by Ward over a hundred years ago:

Arise, all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that ofwater or of tears! Say firmly: “We will not have great questionsdecided by irrelevant agencies, our husbands shall not come to us,reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.

“Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have beenable to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We women of onecountry will be too tender of those of another country to allow oursons to be trained to injure theirs.”

Phyllis Cunningham of GPB says, via email, that the grannies asked people who took their flyers to spread the message, “War is never a solution.” They continued the tradition annually, though they’re not having a Mother’s Day event this year due to several members being unable to participate.

Howe’s voice is also celebrated by CODEPINK, a grassroots organization that has been leading national events on Mother’s Day since the early 2000s. (CODEPINK has often paired with GPB for events.)

“Mother’s Day is a call to end war from Julia Ward Howe, for women to plan peace,” says CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans. “So from the beginning, all over the country, we’d do Mother’s Day events. In D.C., we do a giant camp out in front of the White House. We’ve had international guests, we’ve woven roses into the White House fence, we’ve been arrested. Mother’s Day is huge for us.”

Though the focus of their group is to end U.S. wars and militarism, CODEPINK partners with coalitions on other issues, like advising Parkland students in their fight against the NRA and supporting activists resisting attempts to end DACA. In recent years, women from Mothers Against Police Brutality and Black Lives Matter have come to speak on Mother’s Day, including Reverend Wanda Johnson, mother of Oscar Grant, who was shot and killed by an officer on New Year’s Day in 2009.

Johnson wrote in a letter for CODEPINK in 2015: “We deserve to live in peace and we deserve justice for the crimes committed against our children. On a day when mothers are supposed to be honored and appreciated, let’s show some love for the moms who are hurting the most.”

CODEPINK’s plan for 2018 is a celebration of the new Poor People’s Campaign, an initiative led by Reverend William Barber, building on the work of Martin Luther King Jr., to challenge systemic racism, violence, and poverty. It’s important to Evans that CODEPINK focuses on issues like these on Mother’s Day because these are the things many mothers and their children struggle with everywhere. The commercialization of the holiday is frustrating for Evans, just like it was for Anna Jarvis, but for an entirely different reason: She thinks it’s an obvious attempt to distance people from political engagement.

“It was a call to end war, and it turned into commercialism,” she says. “That’s a distraction. A clear way to distract everyone from that fact that women and children pay the greatest price in war.”

Jarvis likely wouldn’t be happy with the efforts of organizers like Evans and Cunningham, or any of the women who have centered Howe’s declaration in their work on Mother’s Day. However, her mother might have appreciated the changes they’re demanding: safety, peace, and the opportunity to raise children in a world that wants to see them grow.



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