Author

Why I Wrote Grief: Public Face, Private Loss

I love to read—so much so that if you wanted to punish me, all you’d need to do is take away my books! I mostly read on Kindle because I like to juggle multiple books at a time, and my app recently told me I’ve been reading for 976 days in a row. But despite my lifelong love of books, I never imagined I’d write one myself. Articles? Yes. Blogs? Sure. But a book? That always felt like something for other people.

Then, in April 2020, everything changed. The world suddenly got to know my father, the late Captain Sir Tom. At the age of 100, he began writing his autobiography; I found myself immersed in his writing journey, witnessing firsthand the joy he brought to every generation.

But in the years that followed, I faced something no one could prepare for: the brutality of trial by media. The truth about my work, my family and my father’s legacy became irrelevant in a world where outrage sells, where a twisted version of events is far more lucrative than reality. The Charity Commission’s initial review that turned into a inquiry, became the foundation for a narrative gleefully seized upon by those who never cared for the facts. The story took on a life of its own—one where I was cast as a villain in a manufactured scandal while the truth was ignored.

Everywhere I go, people ask me, “You are writing a book about what happened, aren’t you?” For a long time, I hesitated. But as the months passed and the unwavering support from people around the world grew louder, I realised something important: my story matters. I’m not yet ready to write my full autobiography, but as I travel and meet people, so many share their own grief stories with me. It became clear that this was the place to start—not just my personal experience, but a book that intertwines memoir with something meaningful and helpful for others navigating loss.

I am now forging a new path as an author, among other things; I will soon be publishing more books, and I will release more detailed information on my YouTube channel.

My Podcast Journey: Speaking Truth in a World of Outrage

I’ve been listening to podcasts for years—long before the app even appeared on my phone. In fact, I think I first tuned in around 2004, which probably gives away my age!

For the longest time, I never imagined being a guest on a podcast. I was perfectly happy just listening and learning. But along the way, I realised something important: being an engaging podcast guest isn’t just about answering questions, it’s about telling great stories. And sometimes, telling the truth in a world addicted to outrage is the hardest story to tell.

In April 2020, the world was introduced to my father, the late Captain Sir Tom, through his extraordinary fundraising efforts. At 99 years old, he was invited onto countless podcasts. It wasn’t always easy—he was very hard of hearing—but with me as his ears, we made it work. Those moments became precious memories, filled with laughter and deep conversations.

But the years that followed exposed me to another side of the modern world—one where facts don’t matter as much as a viral headline, where truth is drowned out by manufactured scandals, and where media narratives are often twisted to fit an agenda rather than uncover reality. The Charity Commission’s so-called ‘investigation’ became a feeding frenzy for those who never cared for the truth but relished the opportunity to tear down a family that had only ever sought to do good. In this world of outrage, trial by media is swift, and once the lie takes hold, the truth struggles to be heard.

My family and I found ourselves at the centre of what has been called ‘The World’s Greatest Viral Lightning Strike’—a story that transcended gender, race, nationality, social status, and age in an unprecedented way at one of the most challenging times in modern history. But just as quickly as we were celebrated, we became targets. The modern media machine builds people up only to revel in their downfall. And in that moment, I saw just how ruthless it could be.

That incredible experience, combined with my decades of global brand expertise, the often lonely road of being a woman in business, and my constant efforts to be the best daughter, wife, and mother I could be, all while navigating a world that sometimes seems determined to make things as difficult as possible, has given me a wealth of insight to share.

Being thrust into the public eye in such a dramatic way has given me a unique story—one that has resonated with many and led to some fascinating podcast conversations. And there are many more to come. Because in a world where outrage sells and truth is often an inconvenience, I believe it’s more important than ever to keep speaking up.