Issue 27: This week in New Idea

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KATE’S EARLY LABOUR SURPRISE

It’s the royal event everyone’s been waiting for and talking about, and New Idea has all the inside information. This week we reveal all the details – including how the Duchess of Cambridge put the finishing touches on her birth plan after doctors advised the royal baby was ready. After a 20-minute appointment at Kate’s gynaecologist on June 20, doctors surprised her when they revealed the baby ‘could be born any day now’ as she was full-term. The couple have put a helicopter on standby to fly Kate from their home in Wales or her parents’ country home to St Mary’s Hospital, London.

MILEY CYRUS OUTRAGE: SHE’S OUT OF CONTROL

Sleazy antics, drugs and feuds – Miley Cyrus has gone so far, even Liam’s had enough! While the former Disney star has courted her fair share of controversy over the years, her recent spate of alleged drug use and provocative antics has prompted fears about the messages Miley and many other Hollywood Idols are sending to young impressionable girls. New Idea’s child and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg explains: ‘Never has girlhood been under such sustained assault, and the frontrunners in the sexualisation of this generation are these irresponsible celebrities who seem hell-bent on the “skankification” of a whole generation!’ This week Dr Carr-Gregg offers his expert advice on how to deal with this concerning issue.

PRINCESS MARY PACKS HER BAGS: WHY I’M MOVING HOME

She is the perfect guest of honour to celebrate the Sydney Opera House’s 40th birthday In October. But now New Idea can reveal that beyond her public duties, Princess Mary of Denmark jumped at the chance to return Down Under because she is desperately homesick and wants to buy home in Tasmania. ‘Mary just can’t wait to get home and see her family and friends,’ says a Copenhagen pal. ‘She is being pulled back as she gets older.’

EXCLUSIVE: BLAIR MCDONOUGH – ‘OUR ISLAND WEDDING’

Just on sunset, a tropical rain shower whispered through the palm trees and a double rainbow appears as if by magic. It was the perfect start to married life for newlyweds Blair McDonough and Kristi Townley, who tied the knot in a heartfelt beachside ceremony in Hawaii. Just as they had hoped, their big day was filled with laughter, joyful tears, music and friends and family, who had flown in from around the world. ‘We’ve been in each other’s live for 10 years,’ the beautiful bride tells New Idea. ‘There might have been a few false starts, but we are here today and I’m the happiest girl in the world!’

OUR RAFTERS FAREWELL

Talk about family and Rebecca Gibney’s face lights up – just like her much-loved TV character, earthmother Julie Rafter. There’s her husband of 11 years, Richard Bell, her adored son, nine-year-old Zac and then there is Rebecca’s small-screen clan from Packed to the Rafters actor Erik Thomson and their cute blonde twins – who played their late-in-life daughter Ruby – bid a bittersweet farewell to fans this week after six-top rating seasons. ‘I was a mess. Particularly on the last day,’ the Gold Logie-winning favourite confesses. ‘I loved Rafters. It was a huge part of my existence.’ In the lead up to the final episode, Rebecca Gibney and Erik Thomson speak out on their time together on-screen.

NEW IDEA FOOD: ‘IT’S PARTY TIME!’

New Idea showcases the best birthday party ideas guaranteed to put a smile on your kids’ faces. Whatever your theme – construction, rainbow or disco – we’ve got an amazing cake to match. Plus, we’ve included top decorating items to ensure your party is a hit!