I tested this suave Bluetooth speaker from Sweden and it left me with mixed feelings – here's why
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker aims to offer good vibrations, a pleasing design and stunning, portable build. Don't worry, it's only a Bluetooth speaker. And for the most part, this diminutive portable speaker achieves what it sets out to do. It has an eye-catching shape fit for fashionistas, decent all-round audio and impressive build quality. But unfortunately for the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker, it just falls short of its competitors in a couple of crucial areas.
Before we get into that, though, let's start with a sound assessment. Due to its tiny size, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is pretty limited in terms of the quality and volume it can produce. It has a single 45mm, 5W full-range driver that produces typically clear, tonally-accurate audio. Some sounds can get a touch edgy at times – especially those in the treble range while listening at higher volumes.
But again, I still felt that the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker sounded fine given its intrinsic limitations. Specifically, I was surprised by the meatiness of the bass on offer. Next to the not-much-smaller JBL Go 4, I found the Joy speaker capable of dishing up superior low-end impact. You won't find the extra serving of detail that some of the best Bluetooth speakers can deliver, though, with more subtle sonic ornaments often hard to uncover. It's also worth noting that the speaker only harnesses the basic SBC Bluetooth codec, so you won't be able to enjoy higher-quality aptX files at their very best.
Perhaps unconventionally, the draw of this speaker isn't all too much to do with sound – it's about style. Happy Plugs refers to the Joy Speaker as 'fashion tech designed in Sweden', giving it a real sense of identity. Its rounded look, attractive color options and lace attachment certainly give it that je ne sais quoi, something that can often be overlooked in a cheaper, more bare bones speaker such as this.
Speaking of price, this Happy Plugs product will set you back just $49.99 / £39.99. Realistically, that's pretty standard stuff for a speaker in this weight class but still, it's a looker for the money. Competitors like the JBL Go 4 and Sony SRS-XB100 have very similar list prices. Other than its winsome design, the Happy Plugs Joy doesn't really do enough to set itself apart from some pretty fierce competition, in my view.
That predominantly comes down to its disappointing feature-set. Sure, the built-in mic works to a commendable standard and the ability to pair another Joy Speaker for stereo sound is handy, but that's about it as far as features go, bar the inclusion of an AUX port for wired listening. There's no companion app or way to adjust EQ – something I'd expect for a speaker released in 2025.
Another issue is the poor dust- and waterproofing offered by the Joy Speaker. It is only IPX4 rated, meaning it can withstand some water splashes or rainfall, but little else. Given you see a whole bunch of competitors, like the Ultimate Ears Miniroll, offering IP67-rated protection against dust and water submersion, IPX4 just feels a bit underwhelming, I'm afraid.
When you pair the fairly feeble protection against the elements with the speaker's 5W maximum power output, it's safe to say the Joy Speaker is better suited to bedroom use, rather than taking into the great outdoors or a party environment.
And if a small, personal speaker is all you're looking for, the Happy Plugs Joy is still an OK option at a reasonable price. Its stylish edge will no doubt earn its fair share of plaudits, even if there's a shortage of features and undercooked protection against the elements. Overall, I'd still say you're better off with the JBL Go 4, or even one of the best waterproof speakers like the excellent Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 – both of which offer impressive audio in a similarly mini package, but one that can also be dunked fully in a pool and survive.
$49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$80)
Launched in January 2025
The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker released at the beginning of 2025, carrying a very modest list price of $49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$80). That price applies to each of the four color variants this speaker comes in, namely: Black; Blue; Green; and Pink. The Happy Plug Joy Speaker's main competitors at this price-point include the excellent JBL Clip 5 and supremely durable LG XBoom Go XG2T – more on those in the 'Also Consider' section.
Lacks companion app and EQ adjustment
Middling battery life
Has effective built-in mic
I don't like to do this, honestly I don't – but I'm going to start on a negative note. The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker has a pretty limited set of features. For a speaker released in 2025, that's pretty disappointing – even for a small one like this.
A lot of that stems from the omission of a companion app, which instantly restricts what this thing can do. You won't find any ways to adjust EQ, view connected devices or get the visual on battery life, for example. That's a bit of a let down when you consider that small options like the JBL Go 4 offer all of this and more (we'll talk more about this little treasure later).
There are some features of note, though, like the inclusion of a built-in mic, stereo pairing and an AUX port for wired listening. Now, in fairness, the inbuilt microphone is above average – I found call quality to be slightly superior to my phone in speaker or earpiece mode. Similarly, when recording a voice note, I felt that my speech was clear at varying distances, even if there was a bit of feedback lurking in the background.
Stereo pairing is a handy inclusion, especially as this speaker can't get too loud – more on that later. AUX is cool too if you're into wired listening, but I suspect most will stick with Bluetooth. This uses version 5.3, which is plenty good enough – although some competitors are using version 5.4 as of the time of writing.
On top of this, you're getting up to eight hours of playtime with the Happy Plugs Joy. That's fairly average stuff. Sure, it's superior to the seven hours offered by the JBL Go 4, but it's vastly inferior to the fantastic 16 hours you'll get with the Sony SRS-XB100. A strong battery life would've added some much needed credit into this speaker's account, but ultimately it just feels a bit uninteresting, feature-wise.
Features score: 2.5/5
Decently clear all-round audio
Surprisingly full bass output
Fairly weak power output
Sound-wise, I was left with conflicting thoughts on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. Right off the bat, I can tell you that the manufacturer's claim of 'high quality audio' is stretching the meaning a bit. When tuning into That Lady Pts. 1 & 2 by The Isley Brothers, I found some percussive elements to be a touch tinny-sounding at high volumes and side-by-side with the JBL Go 4, vocals occasionally lacked control.
But overall, I still felt that sound quality was solid for both its size and price. And in some areas it outclassed the Go 4. For instance, when bumping Dasha - Tour Mauborg Remix by Fusion Affair, the bass thump running throughout hit with significantly more impact and weight when listening via the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. Similarly, I was impressed by the depth of the drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X, even if the speaker wasn't quite dynamic enough to replicate the bouncing effect of the bass bounding throughout the intro.
In addition, I sensed that the acoustic guitar running through Come sweet death, second impact by Megumi Hayashibara was fairly expressive and tonally accurate. It was also pleasantly forward until vocals entered the fray and deservedly assumed the limelight. I will caveat that with a note that densely layered tracks, such as I Want You by Moloko, aren't expertly emulated, with synths, vocals, percussion, strings and more sometimes bunching up to create a slightly restricted-sounding result.
But much of that is down to the inherent limitations of speakers this small. You're rarely going to be smacked by a majestically broad, nuanced soundstage or massively full-sounding profile from a model this mini – I have tested enough speakers of this size to know it. I wasn't getting a huge dose of detail out of my favorite tracks either, with more granular sonic elements often left under wraps. That reminds me: this speaker only supports the basic SBC codec – no aptX or LDAC for less-compressed Bluetooth streaming this time out, I'm afraid.
Another issue that's pretty typical of tiny speakers like this is relatively low power output. And the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker doesn't look to buck that trend. It has a single 5W 45mm driver that can't get all too loud. Sure, it will have enough power for solo bedroom listening, but if you're turning up to the party with this, you're going to be left wanting more. On that note, if you're more of a party animal, it's well worth checking out our guide to the best party speakers.
So here I am, left with pretty mixed feelings. Overall, I'm leaning towards a positive outlook on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker – and not just because of the name. It offers generally clear audio, surprisingly attention-grabbing bass output and stereo sound – if you have two paired in stereo mode. But there are some imperfections, too, including occasionally tinny output, restricted volume potential and a lack of detail.
Sound quality score: 3.5/5
Small, stunning appearance
Outdated IPX4 waterproofing
Beautiful color options
But arguably the main strength of this lil' speaker is its eye-catching design – after all, Happy Plugs itself describes the Joy Speaker as 'a statement piece'. I'm not sure if it's quite the fashion revolution that it's made out to be, but still, I really like the look of this speaker. (Is it worth mentioning that some of the TechRadar team call this review sample Grogu? I suppose I just have.)
The Joy speaker almost has a rounded trapezoid structure, with a classy-looking fabric speaker grille on its front and reverse side. It also has five small, easy-to-use button controls on the top, which subtly blend into the rubber casing that coats the edge of the device. These include play/pause, call and volume controls, as well as power on/off and Bluetooth. There's a small LED that flashes to indicate if the speaker is charging or in pairing mode, which is a useful visual prompt as well.
On the side of the Joy Speaker, you'll discover a tab, under which lies a USB-C port that can charge the speaker from 0-100% in two and a half hours, as well as an AUX port. This will let you play music via a wired connection, if you feel so inclined.
One more highlight – I'm a big fan of the color options available here. I tested out a broccoli-shade green model, but there's also a dusty pink or blue and a deep black variant available. These colorways compliment the speaker's 'fashion tech' identity to a tee and make for a nice break from the plain, single color direction a lot of rivals go in.
This is all positive stuff so far, but when it comes to practicality, this speaker is a bit of a mixed bag. First, the pros. The lace attached to the side of the speaker looks sleek and is super effective for hanging it off a backpack or nearby attachment. There are also four mini rubber feet on the speaker that keep it in an upright position, even if it gets knocked a little. But I have one major gripe: the dust and waterproof rating.
The Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is only IPX4-rated, meaning it's resistant to light rain and splashes of water, but little more. For a speaker in this age, that's simply not cutting it. Almost every major manufacturer is putting out IP67 – or at least IPX7-rated speakers, which enables them to survive submersion under water for extended periods of time. IPX4 isn't ideal for listening at the beach or in the shower, for instance, whereas a speaker like the Ultimate Ears Miniroll will easily be able to pull through.
Design score: 4/5
Price is in-line with competition
Sound is about what you'd expect in this range
But competitors offer superior feature-set and durability
At $49.99 / £39.99, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker very much blends in with rivals including the JBL Go 4 and Sony SRS-XB100. It's by no means expensive, but not a crazy bargain either. Due to its age, you can occasionally find the Go 4 for less than $40 / £30, which is phenomenal value for money, so with time, I'd hope to see the Joy Speaker discounted to a similar level.
For a speaker of its size, the Joy Speaker does perform pretty well where it matters most – sound. Of course, you're not going to get perfectly crisp, detailed or booming audio, but for the most part it's expressive and clear enough to keep you engaged and enjoying your queued tunes. And of course, it is very easy on the eye. There's not a lot of power here and it's not so well protected against the elements, but if you're just looking for a speaker to use in your bedroom, it will do the trick, no problem.
Ultimately, there are a host of better-value options out there. I mentioned the JBL Go 4 there, which can sound a little thinner through the low-end but does have EQ adjustment options, a useful companion app and superior protection against the elements. Even the LG XBoom Go XG2T – which I marked down for limited EQ presets – still had some… and it offered superior battery life.
In its own right, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is fine value-wise. It gets the basics right, but just skips out on a few too many niceties to outdo its rivals. Unless you're a real lover of its design, I'd wager that you'll be tempted to consider some of those other options.
Value score: 3.5/5
You're all about styleIf the most important thing for you is stunning looks, the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker is well worth considering. It comes in four neat colorways, has a mini, curved build and dons well-sized buttons to boot.
You're on a budgetThe Happy Plugs Joy isn't outrageously cheap for a speaker of this size, but it's definitely not overly expensive either. At $49.99 / £39.99 it's a nice option if you're on a budget, although there are some small competitors, like the LG XBoom Go XG2T, that can be found at a similar pricepoint on sale, so make sure to weigh your options.
You want top-tier sound qualityGiven that it's a small-sized speaker, the Happy Plugs Joy sounds decent. But if you want a beautiful sonic experience for this size, you'll be better off with an option like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 – more on that below.
You're looking for a speaker that's shower or beach-readyOne of my biggest gripes with this speaker is its weak dust and waterproofing. It's just IPX4 rated, meaning it can survive water splashes, but not submersion or anything. That's not great considering a lot of competitors, like the JBL Go 4, can withstand being dunked a meter underwater for 30 minutes.
JBL Go 4The JBL Go 4 is a diminutive, stylish and solid-sounding speaker that's ideal for on-the-go listening. It offers pretty controlled audio given its size and surprising levels of loudness. On top of that, it has a superior IP67 waterproof rating, in-app EQ adjustment and cool color options to match. Read our full JBL Go 4 review.
Tribit Stormbox Micro 2Tribit has been putting out some amazing value audio tech over the past two years and the Stormbox Micro 2 is no exception. With excellent sound quality, fantastic protection against the elements, an awesome 12-hour battery life and the ability to charge your phone, there's just so much to love here. Read our full Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 review.
Tested for one week
Mainly used at our music testing space at Future Labs
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I spent hours playing music on the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker. I tried it out in a handful of environments, but mainly at our music testing room at Future Labs to best judge the audio quality in a quiet, controlled space.
When blasting tunes, I mainly took to Tidal using my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, where I streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, as well as my personal library. I also tested the Happy Plugs Joy Speaker alongside the JBL Go 4 to compare sound quality, design elements and loudness.
First reviewed: February 2025
Read more about how we test
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
10 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
31 Things Probably Designed By Geniuses June 2025
A lightweight Quickflip reversible backpack hoodie because sometimes the day can't decide if it wants to be warm or chilly, and if you're gonna lug around an extra layer just in case — it might as well double as a backpack! Promising review: "One second, I'm wearing a cozy hoodie. The next? Bam! It's a sleek backpack. I've never felt so efficient in my life. It's soft, warm, and makes me feel like a low-key superhero. Perfect for travel, unpredictable weather, or just impressing people with my newfound sorcery. 10/10, would flip again." —JBrownBrainsGet it from Amazon for $44.95 (available in five colors and seven sizes). A phone/tablet stand with a built-in speaker here to revolutionize the way you FaceTime with your fam, watch videos and movies, listen to music and audiobooks, and more! Reviewers love the volume and sound quality of the speaker as well as the sturdiness of the stand. Promising review: "I bought the Bluetooth speaker tablet stand as a gift for my daughter, and it's been perfect for her schoolwork and entertainment! The adjustable tablet stand allows her to find the perfect viewing angle, whether she's taking notes or just watching a video. The built-in Bluetooth speakers provide clear, rich sound, which enhances her experience when watching videos or listening to audio lessons. Now, everyone wants one!" —ShopaholicGet it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in nine colors). A rechargeable electric flosser starter kit if you hate flossing, but also hate hearing the disappointment in your dentist's voice every time you go in for a cleaning. This device will seriously speed up the process, making it just as easy and comfortable as brushing your teeth, thanks to the sonic vibrations, ergonomic handle, and gentle gliding floss. It's also available with extra-strength floss in case you need ultra-strong cleaning power for your gums. A twist comb for anyone who's tired of curl sponges drying out your hair and wants an easy, painless way to achieve the perfect curls and twists that actually last! Plus, it's reusable, so you won't have to keep buying sponges and struggling to get the results you want. A Kettle Gryp so you can instantaneously turn your dumbbells into kettlebells — without having to actually store both. This handy grip snaps right onto your dumbbell and is easy to move from one weight to another, so you can expand your workout without having to buy more heavy equipment. Plus, the handle is super comfortable to hold, and the device itself is lightweight and compact, so you can toss it into a gym bag or backpack. Moodmatcher's color-changing lipstick — it'll react to your skin's natural pH to instantly give your lips a unique shade that perfectly complements your skin tone and will last for hours! Choose from 10 gorgeous colors — all enhanced with aloe vera and vitamin E to keep your lips hydrated and soft all day long. An outdoor hanging bungee tug toy in case you don't have the time or energy to keep up with your dog's seemingly endless reserves, but wanna give them an engaging toy that'll actually keep them busy. You can hang one end from a tree branch or beam, and let your pup pull on the other end, which will instantly end their boredom! The strong bungee cord will create a force for your dog to tug against without breaking it, making for a long-lasting toy that you and your precious pet will love! A pair of tweezers with a built-in camera that streams live to your phone so you can target hairs, splinters, and more with surgical precision —especially when they're in places you can't quite see with a mirror. Promising review: "I always wanted the ability to have tweezers with a camera attached to be able to see in spots I normally can't see without having to be in front of a mirror. These are my go-to tweezers any time I need help with a splinter removal or want to remove unwanted hair from my ear. They are designed great; the quality is great! They feel good in the hand, not heavy, and the tip is perfectly aligned with the distance from the camera. Only wish they were Bluetooth. My wife uses them all the time. I wish I had bought at least one more. They are totally worth the money." —Giovanni Frank pantojaGet it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in black or white). A salad dressing shaker for anyone who wants to make, serve, and store their dressing all in one container. It has measurements on the side so you can accurately portion your ingredients, a one-handed open/close lever, and a leak-proof seal, making it a breeze to serve as well as keep some of your delicious creation for tomorrow's salad. Promising review: "The small Oxo salad dressing shaker is the perfect size! The design is well thought out — easy to pour, shake, and store. I love making my own dressings, and this makes the process simple and mess-free." —JMCGet it from Amazon for $11.99. A unicorn head squirrel feeder, because if you're gonna provide free food to these famously freeloading critters, you might as well get some entertainment in return. And, I don't know about you, but watching a squirrel that looks like it's wearing a giant unicorn head sounds pretty entertaining to me. A portable campfire if you never feel like dealing with the hassle of building and cleaning up after a fire. Simply light it with a match or lighter and extinguish by covering with the lid. It actually puts out an impressive amount of heat without a bunch of smoke, so you can say goodbye to burning eyes and soot-smelling clothes. Plus, it's reusable, and each fire should last around three to five hours! An expandable book rack designed so you can customize it to work in a variety of spaces, without taking up a huge footprint! Plus, the dividers make it easy to organize your books and magazines by size, giving your collection a clean and tidy look. Promising review: "I needed a way to wrangle our cookbooks and foodie magazines without taking up any cabinet or counter space. This is perfect on top of our refrigerator. Super cute, well-made, adjustable, and great color. It keeps the books accessible while looking neat and decorative." —JillyBeanGet it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in two colors). A pair of air conduction headphones for anyone who hates the feeling of headphones in your ears or worrying about them falling out when you're on the go or at the gym. These use open ear technology to deliver powerful and natural sound at a range of volumes — without being audible to people around you. Now you can stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying clear sound from these lightweight headphones that are designed to sit comfortably on your ears — unlike those pesky earbuds that put pressure on your ears and just looooove to tumble out. A TrayMask disposable tray table cover, because let's face it — while air travel is an amazing feat of humankind, airplanes, on the other hand, are pretty disgusting when you think about how many people pass through them. Instead of putting your snacks, hands, and electronic devices all over a tray table that has surely seen some unspeakable things, cover it with one of these TrayMasks so you won't feel the need to disinfect the bottom of your laptop the second you get to the hotel. A crack weeder tool with an ergonomic handle and L-shaped head designed to fit into tight cracks in your patio, sidewalk, and driveway, allowing it to grab those pesky weeds by the roots that are tough to reach otherwise. Now your outdoor space will look nice and tidy! An insect repellent lotion bar you'll actually like the smell of — despite how much insects hate it — thanks to the blend of beeswax, mango butter, sunflower oil, citronella essential oils, and other helpful ingredients. If you can't stand the aroma of bug sprays, try this instead! A baguette plushie for anyone who loves bread so much that they wish they could snuggle a giant loaf of the stuff — without getting crumbs all of their bed, of course. This thing manages to look delicious while being a seriously soft and cozy cuddle buddy! A reusable duster you can attach to your Swiffer cleaner because it's cheaper in the long run *and* more eco-friendly! The eight layers of durable nonfraying fabric are fantastic at collecting dust, and you can just throw them in the washing machine whenever they need a lil' clean. An outdoor Wi-Fi extender in case your idea of WFH is more like WFY (work-from-yard) when it's nice outside. But, as anyone who has ever tried to take a Zoom call from their back patio will know, sometimes your internet gets a little choppy when you're too far away from your router. Not anymore! This device will extend your Wi-Fi's reach, and has a weatherproof enclosure that can be easily mounted on a wall or pole. A foldable doorstep for those moments when you need to reach the roof of your car without a ladder or step stool. It fits on all vehicles, and reviewers love how sturdy it is. Plus, it's wide enough so you can stand on it with both feet, in case the idea of stepping on your seats and getting mud everywhere (and potentially slipping) doesn't sound all that appealing. A pretty-looking hummingbird feeder that suctions onto your window, giving you a front row seat to the comings and goings of what are quite possibly the cutest lil' birds in existence. It's easy to install and is designed to be bee-proof, so you can ensure that all of the nectar goes to your friendly neighborhood hummingbirds. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes so you don't have to worry about carrying around a liquid makeup remover that could decide to leak all over your purse when on the go *or* on your fancy vay-cay wardrobe mid-flight. These do a great job, and come individually wrapped for extra convenience and easy packing! And a TSA-approved Alleyoop portable razor — it includes two triple-blade razors, a moisturizing bar, and a water spray bottle — aka everything you need for quick shaves and touch-ups while traveling, all in a compact case that can be tossed right into your handbag! A PopLite personal popcorn maker for when you don't wanna end up with burnt, oily microwave popcorn with unpopped kernels, but don't feel like going through the trouble of making it on the stove either. This countertop device uses hot air instead of oil to make eight cups of perfectly popped popcorn in two minutes — right in the built-in serving bowl that you can eat from when it's done! A jewelry holder that'll turn the place where you store your rings into a work of art! Choose from six gorgeous colors and give your prized ring collection the fun display it deserves! A swinging animal car mirror accessory here to add an extra dose of cute to your commute! Watching these little frens happily swinging away will make any boring drive much more fun, and now, instead of road raging during traffic, you can pretend you're at a playground with your favorite lil' passenger. A durable, Shark Tank-famous Rumpl outdoor blanket – it's super portable, waterproof, and dirt-resistant so you can use it for backyard picnics or to stay warm and cozy when the nights get a little chilly. And when you're done using it, it folds up to be super compact and fit in a tiny carrying bag! A sloth "breathing partner" that uses soft fade-in, fade-out color prompts to guide you through different breathing techniques for meditation or simply calming and slowing down your mind and body. It's great for both adults and kids, and it also doubles as an adorable night-light! An Uno rug in case you wanna celebrate your favorite card game by displaying two of it's most powerful cards — the Draw 4 and Reverse card — possibly sending a warning to visitors (future Uno opponents) of what fate may befall them should they choose to face you in this game of wits, strategy, and a little luck. An indoor s'mores maker for when you're craving roasted marshmallows but don't have access to a fire. This uses a flameless electric heater and comes with stainless steel forks so you can prepare a classic camping snack — without having to leave your house! It even has special compartments for all the ingredients you need to make the perfect s'mores. Promising review: "I love this S'mores maker! I recently bought s'mores supplies at the store, and wanted to make them without a bonfire... I read online about all of the different s'mores machines and I'm SO happy I chose this one! Right out of the box, it started heating quickly. After it was glowing red, we started toasting marshmallows! I was surprised how brown and toasty it was able to get the marshmallows, and so quickly. After reading some other reviews about the long wait time, I was worried. But in my home, the time to get the marshmallow toasty was just about equivalent to a bonfire (minus the bonfire smell!!). The s'mores do even have that outdoor familiar taste. We love it and will be using it again and again! Great product." —Ashley SchenkelGet it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in four styles). And finally, a deck of beginner-friendly cat-themed tarot cards to add a feline twist to your future tarot readings that'll make the experience more lighthearted and less... foreboding. They come with a helpful guidebook that's great for beginners, and are the purrr-fect gift for the cat-lover in your life!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Body Language Expert Says Prince William "Sad and Subdued," as Royal Aides Claim Kate Middleton Missing Royal Ascot Is "No Cause for Alarm"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Royal fans were shocked when Kate Middleton canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18 at the very last minute. Former royal butler Grant Harrold suggested Prince William would "definitely feel the void" of Kate's absence, via Spin Genie. Now, palace insiders are setting the record straight about Princess Kate's decision to skip Royal Ascot, while a body language expert has weighed in on the Prince of Wales's solo appearance. At the time, royal sources said the Princess of Wales was extremely "disappointed" to miss the prestigious event, but she needed "to find the right balance as she continues her recovery from cancer and a phased return to full duties," via The Sunday Times's royal editor, Roya Nikkhah, on X. However, GB News has since reported that "palace insiders moved quickly to quell any speculation, insisting the situation stemmed from administrative confusion rather than health concerns." As reported by GB News, "Royal sources stressed there was 'no cause for alarm' and that Kate was adhering to the guidance previously given about finding the right equilibrium in her duties." As for how an alleged mistake about Princess Kate's attendance could have occurred, GB News stated, "The administrative mix-up unfolded when Ascot executives released the day's procession list at midday, listing both the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage behind The King and Queen." It would seem that, according to palace insiders, the Princess of Wales had chosen to skip Royal Ascot long before the public became aware of her decision. Body language expert Judi James analyzed Prince William's appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18, telling the Express, "While his father, The King, chatted happily to their guest in the carriage, using some animated, good-humored body language displays, William seemed to sit back quietly with a slightly slumped posture, looking subdued and rather reflective without Kate at his side." James told the outlet that the Prince of Wales appeared to be "sad and subdued" at the regal event.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
'Hacks' shocking season 4 finale has me convinced season 5 will be the show's best yet
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. "Hacks" season 4 finale just wrapped up on Max, bringing to a close a chapter of the hit comedy drama that has, frankly, been treading water at times. Don't get me wrong, the show remains excellent. A relatively stale season of Hacks is still one of the funniest things on TV or the best streaming services. But now I'm more excited for the future of the show than ever, because the end of season 4 — including its shocking climax — has me hopeful that this show is ready, like its main character Deborah, to finally get back to its peak. Spoilers for "Hacks" beyond this point Let me reiterate: At no point has this show been bad. But the first two seasons of "Hacks" are some of the best from a comedy series ever. They were brilliant, fresh and constantly had you on alert for what was coming next. The past two seasons, though? Well, as Deborah made the transition from the queen of standup to the queen of late-night TV, the show entered a bit of a holding pattern. In retrospect, this holding pattern may have occurred because the show knew it didn't want Deborah's story to end there. But it still felt like the show's writers were finding excuses to keep the late-night show storyline going. That storyline ended with a bang in last week's penultimate season 4 episode, and now Deborah can't work at all, let alone on a late-night talk show. That penultimate episode marked the end of one era of "Hacks," and this season finale is all about transitioning to the next era of the show. We see Deborah and Ava leave Hollywood and Vegas behind to recreate their Vegas years in Singapore. We get the not-so-subtle metaphor of the Tropicana imploding while everyone watches. But with the episode about to end, Ava and Deborah seem ready to split again, continuing the push-pull, will-they-won't-they of their mother-daughter/mentor-mentee relationship that we've seen all season long. The cycle seemed set to repeat, with Ava headed back to Los Angeles with her tail between her legs and Deborah once again a "hack," but this time in Singapore instead of Vegas. However, "Hacks" chose that moment to remind us why this show is so good. Ava wakes up to Jimmy calling to say that TMZ is reporting that Deborah is dead. That's the kind of twist "Hacks" used to hit us with. I was immediately brought back to season 1, when Ava spends a whirlwind, possibly perspective-changing night with a guy in Vegas, only to find that he'd jumped to his death while she was getting coffee. Of course, Deborah isn't dead, something we knew given that the show was renewed for season 5. But she's is pissed about the TMZ obituary saying she killed late-night TV and then retired to Singapore, and she's ready to get back to the top of the comedy world — consequences be damned. That's a show I'm looking forward to watching, and it's why I can't wait for "Hacks" season 5. Stream "Hacks" now on Max 'Your Friends and Neighbors' season finale proves there are no consequences as long as you're rich and look like Jon Hamm 'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, who survived, recap and more 'The Studio' season finale cements it as the best comedy of the year so far — and I can't wait for season 2
