If both you and your significant other are actors, shooting an intimate scene seems like a great idea.

After all, who else would be a better scene partner? 

But it would appear that chemistry in the bedroom doesn’t necessarily translate to the technical, arduous love scene filming process on set – as many actors have revealed. 

Most recently, Ewan McGregor and wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead admitted to using an intimacy coordinator to help choreograph their sex scenes in forthcoming Paramount+ series A Gentleman in Moscow.

Despite being married for nearly two years and in a relationship since 2017, the couple were happy to be guided through the amorous scenes as they believed it was ‘still necessary’.

According to Ewan, 52, who met his wife, 39, on the set of Fargo, it was still ‘odd’ to be naked and intimate around other people.

‘If you were doing a dance scene, you’d have a choreographer,’ he told the Radio Times.

‘It’s an important part of the work now, because it’s somebody that the director and actors meet in the middle.’

And the actor may well have had a point, as celebrities over the years have admitted that they’ve felt ‘strange’, ‘awkward’ and ‘uncomfortable’ about shooting love scenes with their partners despite thinking it would be easier.

Riley Keough – whose husband played a one night stand on Daisy Jones & The Six – admitted that the discomfort arose from the fact that she’s never had ‘pretend sex’ with him before, whereas Kyra Sedgwick said it’s ‘weird’ to shoot intimate moments with her husband Kevin Bacon because it blurs what’s ‘real’ and isn’t.

Elsewhere Angelina Jolie has before branded it ‘the strangest thing’ to make love on camera with her then husband Brad Pitt. 

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at what real-life Hollywood couples have said about tackling steamy scenes together…

Riley Keough & Ben Smith-Petersen

The star of Daisy Jones & The Six revealed that it was ‘awkward’ to shoot a sex scene with her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, in episode two of the series.

In the show, the pair have a one night stand as a distracted Daisy thinks more about song lyrics than her bed partner.

Speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers last year, Riley, 34, admitted the producers thought ‘it would be so funny’ if her husband of nine years starred in the cameo.

‘I think they were thinking it would be less awkward and then we got there and they’re like, “This is really uncomfortable”,’ she explained.

‘For one, I’ve never had pretend sex with my husband.”

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

In 2015, a newly married Angelina Jolie, 48, and Brad Pitt, 60 – who have since split up – shot intimate scenes in By the Sea, a romantic drama.

Angelina also wrote, directed and produced the film – later admitting it felt unusual to simulate love making with her husband on camera.

According to Yahoo, she told Entertainment Weekly: ‘It’s the strangest thing in the world to be lying naked in a bathtub with an iPad that’s showing you the shot outside, while your husband is at the door and you’re directing him to come in and make love to you in front of a bunch of other men with cameras.

‘I couldn’t get out of the bathtub to get to the monitor because the director is naked. 

‘We’re artists and want to be free, but Brad – it’s his wife. He was on towel duty. He’d hold the towel over me.’

She added it was also ‘strange’ to ‘do a love scene with a person that you really have sex with’, explaining that the only way to tackle it was to ‘talk about the absurdity of it’.

Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick

This Hollywood It-couple have been married for 36 years – but early into their marriage, in 1991, the pair decided to do a wacky sex comedy called Pyrates together.

And speaking to Yahoo last year, Kyra, 58, revealed that it’s ‘much harder’ to do sex scenes with her real-life partner than a fellow actor.

She and Kevin, 65, have also since filmed intimate scenes together for other projects, including Murder in the First (1995) and The Woodsman (2004).

‘It’s weird because we’re always like, “Is this real or is it not?”,’ she explained.

‘As an actor, you sometimes have these dreams when you start a job where you’re sleeping and they’re filming you.

‘With Pyrates, I was [sleeping] with my husband and they were filming it! It’s like, “This can’t be real — I’m having a dream.”‘

Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky

In 2018, Chris Hemsworth, 40, and his wife Elsa Pataky, 47 – who have been married for 14 years – played husband and wife in action thriller 12 Strong. 

The movie tells the story of the first Special Forces team that’s deployed to Afghanistan following the events of 9/11. 

Appearing on breakfast TV show Sunrise to promote the film, Chris said his wife would ‘boss him around’ on set.

‘We had about seven or eight year’s rehearsal time to play these characters,’ he said.

‘If we didn’t have any chemistry we’d be in trouble.’

However, when it came to filming the film’s love scenes, Chris told Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David ‘Kochie’ Koch that it wasn’t exactly the kind of environment they were used to.

‘How do you do a love scene with your own wife with a crew standing around?’ Sam asked the star.

‘Yeah, that’d be the big difference,’ Chris replied adding ‘the cameras and the lights… that we weren’t accustomed to.

Sam cheekily added: ‘Well we should hope so’.

‘It’s not a usual setting for us definitely,’ Chris said.

Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart

Robert Pattinson has in past opened up about how ‘strange’ it was to shoot intimate scenes with Kristen Stewart – who he was in a relationship with – during the Twilight series.

In 2011, he told Parade: ‘I think the more comfortable you are with each other, the harder it gets to do any kind of really intense relationship scene.

‘You’re kind of thinking, “I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of this person,” “I know what she’s thinking now,” so it becomes ridiculous after awhile.

‘Watching other people have sex is never going to be that spectacular anyway. It’s a strange thing when there’s so much hype about it.’

Viola Davis & Julius Tennon

Viola Davis’s husband Julius Tennon plays one of her on-screen love interests on the hit show, How to Get Away with Murder.

And while Viola, 58, admitted she felt ‘safe’ doing intimate scenes with her partner of nearly 20 years, there were some awkward moments during filming.

Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2017, she recounted: ‘He had to take my panties  off at one point and then I had to keep resetting them because you know, you’ve got to keep doing the scene over and over again.

‘But I forgot to reset them once and so we got to the point and he went to pull them off and his face went “V, you’ve to put your panties back on!”‘

By Jason Chester for MailOnline

Published: 8:02 PM EDT, March 14, 2024 | Updated: 8:36 PM EDT, March 14, 2024

A ship carrying more than 200 tons of food for the Gaza Strip left Cyprus on Tuesday morning in the first test of a maritime corridor designed to deliver aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians the United Nations says are fleeing. brink of famine.

The ship, named Open Arms after the Spanish aid group that delivered it, was the first ship authorized to deliver aid to Gaza since 2005, according to Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive branch, who led the effort has supported. and describes it as a “pilot project” that could pave the way for more sea shipments.

The rice, flour, lentils, beans and canned tuna, beef and chicken that the ship transported on a barge were supplied by World Central Kitchen, a charity founded by José Andrés, the famous Spanish-American chef . The United Arab Emirates provided financing and logistical support for the operation, he said.

“We may fail, but the greatest failure will be not trying!” Mr Andrés said Tuesday on social media.

Still, the food was only a fraction of what would be needed to satisfy widespread hunger in Gaza, and aid officials stressed that it is no substitute for the amount of goods that could be delivered by truck if Israel were to open more crossings into Gaza . Gaza. The enclave has been under a near-total blockade since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.

With no end in sight to the war in Gaza, clashes flared up again along another front, Israel’s northern border, between Israeli forces and the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah and Hamas are allies, both backed by Iran, and the fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has raised fears of a wider regional conflict.

Hezbollah fired more than a hundred rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday morning, in one of the heaviest barrages in months of almost daily cross-border attacks, the Israeli military said. Israeli fighter jets retaliated by attacking a number of locations linked to Hezbollah. Lebanon.

IT’S all too easy to spend money with your smartphone, but Victoria Williams found it can be just as good at helping save cash.

The 40-year-old, who lives in London, has managed to put aside £9,163.97 in five years with the help of a money-saving app.

1

Plum works out how much you can afford to save every four to five days and then sets it aside for you.

There are other money-saving apps on the market too, like Snoop and Emma, that help you to save in a similar way.

Victoria started using Plum in January 2019 when she realised she didn’t have a financial cushion.

Having a pot of savings to fall back on can help avoid having to borrow money in an emergency, which can often cost more as you pay interest.

The copywriter had tried saving money before using more traditional ways like transferring money into her savings account, but like many of us, she had little success and wasn’t sable to do it regularly.

With Plum, Victoria now saves without having to lift a finger – it’s all done automatically.

The savvy saver has put away thousands of pounds with a range of methods, including round-ups.

Every time she spends money, the transaction is rounded up to the nearest £1, and the extra swept up into her savings account, which can quickly add up.

For example, if she bought something that cost £19.30, then Plum will round up to £20 and put 70p in savings.

She said: “With cash, you inevitably end up with a load of coppers and 5ps as change, and you just lose it somehow.

“I’ve even been guilty of throwing away a penny because I’m never going to use it.

“Plum takes that annoying spare change and puts it to work for you.

“It’s amazing I’ve saved from just the odd penny here and there.”

Victoria connected her bank account to the app which means Plum can see her income and outgoings.

This means she can take advantage of another saving method, which regularly identifies how much she can afford to save.

The money is automatically transferred into a savings pot in the Plum app.

Because the app can see what you usually spend it makes sure you’re not left short, and only takes as much as you can afford to save each time

That means the amount can vary and Victoria saves between £10 and £50 per week.

In total, this has contributed to arounf two thirds of her total savings over the past five years – a whopping £6,092.97.

Victoria said she has never noticed the cash leaving her account.

She told The Sun: “When I first started using Plum, I was working as a sub-editor and it was relatively low-paid.

“This meant that saving large chunks of cash just didn’t seem achievable for me, so Plum was a total game-changer.

“The round-up feature and savings challenges ease you into saving and in the end, you don’t even notice the money leaving your account.”

Victoria has since moved into a higher-paying job and has opened an ISA, which she uses for emergency savings.

An ISA is a type of savings account but with tax benefits: you don’t pay tax on any interest you earn.

The most common types are cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs – where your money is invested in the stock market.

She now uses Plum to save for treats, like a pair of designer shoes she desperately wanted that came with an £800 price tag.

“I like to use Plum for fun stuff, like a pair of shoes or a new, fancy mascara,” Victoria said.

“Having this separate from my other savings means I don’t go raiding it when I want to treat myself.

“I also don’t need to worry about building Plum back up again because it happens without me having to give it any thought.”

There’s no fee or penalty for withdrawing your money and savings stashed with Plum are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.

You can earn up to 3.72% AER in Plum’s easy access interest account – but you could find better interest rates elsewhere.

Interest is money that a bank pays you for putting your cash into one of its savings accounts.

The higher the interest is on an account, the more your money will grow, so it always pays to find the best rate you can.

I save money every time it rains

On top of automatic savings, Victoria set herself savings challenges too, adding £3,071 to her total pot.

With the 52-week challenge, she put £1 away during the first week, then £2 in the second week, then £3 in the third week, and so on.

Eventually, she put £52 into her pot during by the final week of the challenge.

By the time she completed it in November 2023 she had boosted her balance by £1,549.

Another “rainy days” challenge saw Victoria add a chunk of change to her savings on any day that it rains where she is.

The app links to a weather API (Application Programming Interface) and sets aside money automatically based on the forecast.

Victoria said: “I really like this feature because, obviously living in England, it rains a lot and I know that when it does, a nice little sum is going straight into my savings.”

So far she has stashed £254 since October 2023 using the feature.

Victoria has also set up and automatic weekly deposit of £2, putting away £204 since March 2022.

You can choose any amount and pause at any time if needed.

It’s worth noting though that Plum is a free app, but some features you have to pay for.

The basic version is free and lets you set up deposits and round-ups.

Plum Pro, which Victoria is subscribed to, costs £2.99 a month and comes with access to the 52 week challenge and rainy days rule, and access to a Stocks & Shares ISA.

Plum Ultra is £4.99 a month and comes with a Plum debit card, which can be loaded with cash for spending, and extra challenges like the 1p challenge.

A Premium version offers a better interest rate of 4.21% and more investment features, but it comes with a priced tag of £9.99.

Of course, you don’t have to download an app and pay to do these challenges.

You could do the 52-week challenge by manually moving the money into a savings account, or with physical cash and envelopes.

To take part, you’ll need to get 52 different envelopes and fill each one with a number from one to 52.

Each week, you then choose an envelope and put the amount of money that corresponds to the number in there.

If you choose an envelope with the number ten, for example, you need to put £10 in there.

Or if the envelope has the number 52, you’ll need to put away £52 that week.

Once you have done this for a year, you’ll have £1,378 saved.

What other money saving apps are there?

There are lots of other money apps that can help you to budget and save.

Most apps are free, but some may give you the option to upgrade your subscription.

Apps are a great way to start saving – but it’s important to make sure you don’t get sucked into paying for an app that isn’t helpful to you.

It’s definitely worth trying the free app first, and checking whether you can do what you need to without a cost, before being sucked into a monthly subscription.

Below, are several money saving apps that work in a similar way to Plum.

Snoop

You can connect Snoop to your bank account and credit cards and it’s free to use.

It gives you a personal robot to help you budget better and you’ll be notified about where you can make potential savings, such as by switching a utility provider.

You can also set up alerts so you don’t overspend.

Snoop can be downloaded for free onto your smartphone via the Apple or Google Play store.

Monzo

The online bank’s app gives a clear summary of your spending in different categories and rounds up outgoings to the nearest pound to set aside savings.

You’ll need to open a bank account with the app to get started.

It will then allow you to set up spending targets in categories, and a bill tracker flags if your direct debits are higher or lower than usual.

It can be downloaded it from your phone’s app store for free.

Emma

Emma is another free app that can be downloaded from either the Apple or Google Play store.

You can see all your accounts in one place and track spending in dozens of different categories.

You can set your own budgets, work out how you can save and receive regular bill and spending updates.

It’s a good way to get a snapshot of your overall finances and how to manage these best.

Banking apps

It’s well worth checking the budgeting options in your banking app.

Bank apps can alert you to your spending, and they might round it up each day, which helps you keep a closer eye on your spending as you go along.

Some of them will divide your spending into categories, so you can see far more clearly where your money is going, and where you need to cut back.

The free Natwest app, for example, has a spending and budget tracker that categories your spending and lets you set a budget to help you keep track of your outgoings.

If you bank with Barclays, you can download the free app to get spending alters to help to you stay on top of your balance.

You can also add spending limits and add a cap on how much you can spend using contactless.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

Ariana Grande has revealed she ‘cried herself to sleep’ and ‘needed therapy’ following her split from ex-husband Dalton Gomez.

The 30-year-old pop star, who has remained tight-lipped about her private life, plans to tell her truth on Eternal Sunshine, her highly anticipated new studio album.

Ariana and Dalton split last year after just two years of marriage, and their divorce was settled in October.

She soon entered into a controversial relationship with her current boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

In Don’t Wanna Break Up Again Ariana sings: ‘I fall asleep crying, you turn up the TV. You don’t want to hear me.’

The singer continues, “Honey, I made it so easy. Spent so much on therapy. With my own codependency. But you didn’t even try.’

Other songs, such as Bye, also provide insight into the breakdown of her marriage as she sings, “So I’m packing up, Courtney just pulled up in the driveway, it’s time, goodbye. Maybe one day we will look back fondly.

“I didn’t think you would lose me. Now it’s just too late to choose me.’

She sent fans into a frenzy after the release of Eternal Sunshine as they speculated that her husband Dalton might have cheated on her.

Listeners quickly noticed that the cryptic lyrics in the title track accused her husband of being unfaithful.

Fans claimed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that if Dalton was unfaithful, Ariana “deserves an apology” after months of being accused of trespassing over her romance with Ethan Slater.

The lyric in question was: “So now we play our separate scenes // Now she’s in my bed, on your chest // Now I’m in my head wondering how it ends.”

Fans were quick to read between the lines and rushed to social media to claim Dalton cheated on Ariana during their wedding.

One posted: ‘ARIANA I apologize for calling UA CHEATING HOMEWRECKER?? I WASN’T COMPLETELY FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LORE?’

“I understand why Ariana called her marriage a situationship since the guy turned up the TV while she cried and refused to fly to the UK to see her because she was ‘busy’ but he actually went to clubs and cheated . on her,” a second added.

“Ariana Grande dedicated a TOTALLY AWESOME ALBUM to you (positions) and how did you thank her? cheating on her and making her cry at night without fucking her. BYE BYE BOY BYE.”

‘The world was so quick to call Ariana a homewrecker when her ‘husband’ literally cheated on her and had a whole b***h in HER bed… she owes a HUGE apology’

“Ariana was called a homewrecker by the ENTIRE internet just because HER REALLY CHEATED HER??? LIKE DON’T PLAY WITH ME RN

“All this time he was cheating on Ariana??”

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Dalton Gomez for comment.

Ariana and Dalton both filed for divorce on September 18, with documents obtained by TMZ showing that Ariana’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, cited the reason as “irreconcilable differences” with a divorce date of February 20, 2023.

Sources told the outlet that everything was “worked out” between the former couple “before they went to the courthouse” and added that the actress planned to “write Dalton a check” to officially dissolve the marriage.

The couple filed for divorce months after their planned separation date, and an insider explained to TMZ that the reasoning was so they could “iron details and reach a settlement.”

According to the source, Ariana and Dalton have “no hard feelings,” adding “they have been truly caring and respectful of each other through every step of this process.”

The Grammy winner and the real estate agent first started dating in January 2020 and the couple got engaged in December of the same year.

In May 2021, the two tied the knot in an intimate yet romantic wedding ceremony at her Montecito home, before news of their divorce emerged in July 2023.

Ariana has been under public scrutiny since July 2023, when rumors swirled that she was dating Ethan just days after news of her split from Dalton emerged.

To add to the scandal, Ethan had only recently ended his marriage to Lilly Jay, his high school sweetheart.

They had welcomed their first baby together in August 2022 and he filed for divorce from her in July 2023.

In the ’80s-inspired song Yes, And? Ariana appears to clap back at the criticism, repeatedly asking, “Yes, and?” she encourages listeners to think about why they feel compelled to comment on her life.

“Your business is your own, and mine is mine,” the pop princess also moans, before adding, “Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?”

In another line, she sings, “Now I’m so done caring about what you think, no, I won’t hide under your own projections or change my most authentic life.”

OUR beloved astrologer Meg sadly passed away last year, but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protector Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.

RAM

March 21 to April 20

The hot-headed and down-to-earth sides of yourself come together.

You have the tenacity to look at the numbers again and find a solution.

In terms of love, instead of acting based on how you feel, you can see the bigger picture, so you may need to adjust your routine for the time being.

Single? ‘The one’ talks slowly but falls quickly.

2

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

You have Saturn’s support to stick with what you know is good for a friendship or work relationship, even when pressure comes your way.

It is an important step to reserve your time and energy so that you save enough for yourself.

As for love, an introduction you assumed was far beyond your reach is actually longing to get closer.

Get the latest Taurus horoscope news, including your weekly and monthly predictions

GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

Finding ways to control your thoughts and bring them into world order is the secret of success today.

With the determination of Saturn, the spirit of Mercury and the personal magic of Mars, you can make quite an impression without even realizing it.

A team of two or more people can rearrange themselves to include you.

Get the latest Gemini horoscope news, including your weekly and monthly predictions

CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Adding a little more freedom to a friendship mix can be a challenge.

But you can see the benefits if you try, because someone chooses to get closer and give you more.

In terms of love, too, doubts fade away when you tap into the emotional power of your horoscope to provide unconditional support.

New love loves to sing.

Receive the latest news Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LION

July 23 to August 23

The mix of dedication and excitement in your chart is not to be missed.

The best way to use it is to reaffirm existing bonds with fun and imagination – something Leo excels at.

If you’re still looking for love, a recent date may have been too much too soon, but it’s still on your mind for a reason.

Find out.

Receive the latest news Horoscope news about Leo including your weekly and monthly predictions

VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

There is extra money floating around and you can catch it by using your legendary observation skills.

You might get some great bargains and discover a gap in a well-known market, perhaps with a fashion slant.

You also identify talents in people close to you who can build a brilliant company.

Love chooses a healthy drink.

Receive the latest news Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

A new working title looms on the horizon as the moon and Mercury discuss.

Someone who gives you a nickname the first time you meet could be the key.

Your skills may be different, but deep down you share a dream.

The sun increases fitness energy and even if you don’t feel like it, it can go a long way toward kick-starting a health change.

Receive the latest news Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

It may seem like family members are pulling in many different directions and you can’t decide which one works for you.

The answer is: none, because you can find your own place.

When you read a website or newspaper for the first time, your price sensors may kick in.

Passion works best when giving and taking are equal.

Receive the latest news Horoscope news about Scorpio including your weekly and monthly predictions

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

It’s tempting to stop any process related to your home, from updating to changing it.

You might see what seems like a more attractive prospect, but Saturn urges you to stay the course.

New is not necessarily better.

The love is stretching, but you may not have noticed yet, so pay attention around noon.

Receive the latest news Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

If you know you’re clinging to something that’s no longer necessary—from outfits to friendships—let it go today.

With a schedule of calm, gentle acceptance, you can clean up with style.

The benefit is how much you appreciate what’s left.

Lucky numbers are already in your head, so set them free.

Receive the latest news Horoscope news about Capricorn including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

You are the most loyal friend and partner, but there are limits.

Someone may have crossed this line without realizing it, so try to talk calmly before taking action.

But resist that urge to second-guess conversations.

Instead, listen to what is being said.

A money graph links money and passion prices to an “M” island.

Receive the latest news Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PISCES

February 19 to March 20

You are a one-time blend of sunshine and Saturn concentration.

This can lead to a yes or no decision for a business idea with a festive element.

It comes naturally to you to make people’s special days as good as possible.

In love? Don’t hide part of your heart.

Single? ‘The one’ has an undercover job.

Receive the latest news Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

A fashionista has proven that some dresses mean no bra, no problem.

Her affordable Amazon find was so good that she had to get the same design in two different colors.

6

6

“Amazon dresses that are perfect for fall, no bra needed like 32H,” said Kendra (@happeningsofkendra).

She tore open the package and placed a black and another burnt orange dress in the same style on the floor.

Kendra showed off some details of the dress, including a small slit and stretchy fabric.

“The perfect fall mini dress does exist,” she said.

The 6-foot-2 fashionista modeled the orange-colored above-the-knee number that showed off her cleavage in a square neckline.

She also paired the dress with high black boots, showing off her curves from all sides.

She then tried the black version, which also seemed to hug her in all the right places.

The Qinsen mini dress with square neck bodice which sells on Amazon for $39.99, is described as a soft, breathable stretch material.

The gown also features an inner lined bust and a front seam for a look that can be worn in all seasons and for all occasions.

The dress received many positive reviews.

“Finally found a good quality dress on Amazon! The top part of the dress is thick so it is not see-through,” the buyer wrote.

“Love this dress! Very comfortable and tight top, so no need for a bra,” said another shopper.

Her fans also loved the look.

“So cute,” said one follower.

“It's so good!” she replied.

6

6

6

6

Already hailed as one of the greatest magazine covers of all time, the photo of 40 of the world’s most famous women required an army of hair and make-up artists and more than 1,000 WhatsApp messages to pull off.

Who else but British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful could have persuaded Hollywood A-listers including Jane Fonda and Oprah Winfrey to leave their egos at the door to pose alongside supermodels Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Cindy Crawford and the infamously tetchy Naomi Campbell?

Victoria Beckham happily perched inconspicuously at the end of a row, while music superstar Miley Cyrus flew 5,000 miles by private jet to spend less than 15 minutes having her picture taken.

In an age when we are inured to computer-generated pictures where people don’t need to be present for a mass photo, this cover was breathtaking in its creation. 

Some have compared it to The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover from 1967 with its collage of famous people from Marilyn Monroe to Albert Einstein.

Enninful has said of his valedictory edition cover-shoot: ‘I never expected all 40 to turn up.’

Miley Cyrus, who interrupted a series of showcases at LA’s Chateau Marmont hotel to fly to and from New York in a day, said: ‘To get one of these women on a cover takes months. To get 40? Unheard of.’

The Mail on Sunday has spoken to Vogue insiders and others closely connected with the shoot to piece together the logistics of an event one source joked ‘needed almost as much planning as D-Day’.

Continuing the Churchillian comparison, she added: ‘You have no idea how much blood, sweat and tears went into making this happen.’

The project was so secret that Enninful covered the glass walls of his office in Vogue House in brown paper to escape prying eyes.

He chose the 40, all of whom had been a cover star during his controversial editorship, and personally emailed them within days of the announcement last June that he was stepping down. 

It has been suggested that the Duchess of Sussex, who guest-edited the September 2019 edition of British Vogue, was ‘snubbed’ by not being included. But a source said she was never considered because only women who had appeared on the cover were invited.

Indeed, the only person who had to drop out was actress Nicole Kidman, who was forced to pull out when the Hollywood actors’ strike ended and she had to return to the set of the erotic thriller Babygirl.

The photoshoot was done at Highline Stages in New York’s Meatpacking District, a 45,000 sq ft collection of studios. It is believed the date was December 5, 2023.

American photographer Steven Meisel, 69, a Vogue favourite who became famous shooting his friend Madonna for her explicit 1992 book Sex, had around a dozen assistants helping him set up the photo. He played Tom Jones’s What’s New Pussycat? as the cover was shot.

A source said: ‘The actual picture took just 15 minutes to shoot. Steven is meticulous about planning. He used stand-ins to set up the lighting, so it was simple to get the women to stand in their assigned positions and he was ready to go.’

Casting agent Jill Demling was in charge of wrangling the celebrities. She said she lost count of the number of WhatsApp messages sent as she organised the shoot at 1,000, saying: ‘I was in shock how it even came together. I’m always worried until they actually show up.’

Enninful and British Vogue’s fashion editor Eniola Dare chose the outfits, sticking to a neutral palate of black and white. 

A source said: ‘Vogue is about fashion but this was about the women. The clothes had to be beautiful but they couldn’t overpower or distract from the women.’

A Vogue spokesman told the MoS that many stars paid their own way to the shoot but declined to say if any got a fee. 

Actress Salma Hayek, who called the image ‘a statement of sisterhood’, jetted in from Paris and spent the night before at the home of her friend, supermodel Linda Evangelista.

Cindy Crawford and her model daughter Kaia Gerber carpooled together from the family’s £12 million Upper East Side apartment.

The call-sheet showed arrivals were ‘staggered’ to allow hair and make-up to be completed without stars getting backed-up.

Models Anok Yai, Iman and Jourdan Dunn arrived first at 8am.

Kate Moss’s daughter, Lila, appeared at 8.30am with supermodels Amber Valletta, Karen Elson and Karlie Kloss.

Moss herself was given a 9.30am slot alongside Cindy Crawford and Maya Jama. Supermodel Gigi Hadid turned up at 10.30am with her three-year-old daughter Khai.

Oprah Winfrey was one of the last to arrive, at 1.30pm, wearing a purple tracksuit. She was given a standing ovation by the crew.

Celebrity make-up artist Dame Pat McGrath, originally from Northampton, was in charge of the overall ‘look’ – described as ‘natural, radiant and powerful’ – while hairdresser Guido Palau, who is said to get paid up to £50,000 a day for commercials, oversaw a battalion of crimpers.

Most women arrived with their own ‘glam squads’, meaning McGrath supervised more than 40 make-up artists.

She told the MoS she felt ‘inspired’ by Enninful, who she’s known since he was 18: ‘Being able to work as creative make-up director for the shoot… was an absolute honour.

‘When you have some of the world’s most iconic talent spanning all age groups, the make-up vision is to uplift and empower their natural beauty and inherent glamour. The result was incredible – an image that will go down in fashion history.’

Photographer Ned Rogers was tasked with taking arty black and white snaps backstage, including a poignant one of Winfrey arm-in-arm with 86-year-old Jane Fonda, who used a walking stick due to an injured foot, which was in a protective boot.   

Another picture showed Cara Delevingne strolling down a hallway wearing a white T-shirt and black ‘granny’ knickers.

Perhaps surprisingly, considering the star wattage and egos, the gossip is that there was no prima-donna behaviour. ‘The mood was celebratory. 

Everyone did what they were asked to do and stood where they were told,’ a source said. ‘At the end, everyone clapped and cheered.’

There was a champagne after-party at Casa Cipriani in Lower Manhattan, where everyone enjoyed views of the Statue of Liberty.

Inevitably, such a high profile piece of celebrity choreography has attracted some criticism.

In London, there has been some carping among staff at Conde Nast, Vogue’s parent company, who have been stung by lay-offs and cost-cutting. 

The company recently moved from Vogue House, its legendary London headquarters, to a less glamorous building in Covent Garden.

Many believe Enninful – who is maintaining ties with Vogue as ‘global creative and cultural adviser’ while being free to take other work – has used his final issue as editor to highlight his impeccable contacts and cock a snook at his boss Dame Anna Wintour. 

Vogue PRs have denied any fall-out between Enninful and Wintour, who was the role model for Meryl Streep’s icy editrix in The Devil Wears Prada.

Pickets protesting at job cuts outside Conde Nast’s New York office have been chanting: ‘The boss wears Prada, the staff get nada!’

ONE insider said: ‘This cover isn’t about the women. This is all about Edward. There’s a reason his nickname is Edward Enninful-of-himself. 

‘With this cover, he’s saying: ‘Look at who my friends are! Look who I can get to turn up!”

The 51-year-old is said to be ‘exploring’ lucrative deals including a possible Hollywood film based on his meteoric rise as a Ghana-born immigrant to Britain, who defied the odds to become one of the most powerful men in fashion.

Though a typical cover shoot for Vogue is said to cost £40,000 to £50,000, sources suggest the budget for the March cover ‘will only be known by a handful of people’ but could be more than £200,000. 

If true, one fashionista said it meant a huge hole had been blown through the budget for the new British Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi.

Regardless of cost, in the world of super-celebrity, as the 19th Century circus owner Phineas T Barnum said: ‘All publicity is good publicity.’

'Friendship, love and respect. That is what drives them,” a good friend of the King and Queen recently told me.

'They are very different people in many ways, but at the core you have two people who really love and respect each other and still laugh a lot. It's really sweet.'

It is a judgment emphasized by Annabel Elliot, Camilla's sister, who described them in a BBC interview last month as 'yin and yang' but as an extremely 'brilliant' team.

And that is why I have no doubt that Queen Camilla will be more of a rock for the King than ever in the coming difficult months.

Naturally, the disturbing news that her husband has been diagnosed with cancer will be a huge blow to Her Majesty.

From the moment they first fell in love in their early twenties, Charles and Camilla's lives have been inextricably linked.

While their story may not have been a conventional love story – the late Queen Elizabeth at one point feared that the couple's passion could spell the downfall of the monarchy – it is one that can ultimately be regarded as one of the most enduring of our time.

Their Majesties will celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary next year, a milestone that many once thought utterly impossible.

But the Queen is also stoic – the definition of the British stiff upper lip – and someone who takes things very easily.

I'm sure her approach to this devastating news will be typically calm and pragmatic, and she will insist on being by her husband's side and supporting him every step of the way.

I can tell you that she was with him last night at Clarence House when he returned to London to begin outpatient hospital treatment.

And I am told that while she is understandably concerned and preparing to 'play an important role in supporting the King during his period of treatment', she plans to continue a full program of public duties at the same time.

That British stiff upper lip again.

“She's a fucking brick,” says a friend.

Ironically, in the early days of their marriage, it was Charles who protected Camilla the most because he knew the magnitude of what she had taken on to be by his side.

On their first official trip to the US after their wedding in 2005, I watched as the future king instinctively reached into the aisle of our plane and squeezed his wife's shaking hand as we took off, knowing how terrified she was of flying (although I also subsequently heard him shout during one particularly bumpy flight, “Honey, please don't hold me so hard!”)

But over the years, Camilla has blossomed, becoming increasingly confident under the often very cruel public spotlight and gaining admiration for her work ethic and confidence in taking on old-fashioned causes.

Of course, things haven't always gone smoothly.

Camilla's relationship with William and Harry has always been extremely complex.

But privately, William recognizes how happy Camilla has made their father and appreciates the fact that she never tried to interfere in their lives.

There is also admiration for the way she has zealously embraced royal duties at a time in her life when most people would be slowing down – without a peep of complaint.

'The King and Queen know what their role is, why they do it and what they want to achieve. She has become increasingly bold in the work she does, tackling difficult issues such as domestic violence but not stepping on any toes. They work well together and there is a lot of mutual trust,” the friend said.

The same band is also visible in private.

'They get along great, they share the same sense of humor and make each other laugh. They have the same interests: the countryside, walking, their dogs… and yes, the Queen also knows when to make a hasty retreat. She knows when to give him space,” another source added.

Although she strongly supports her husband's dedication to the causes he holds dear, Camilla also doesn't mind poking lovingly at that seriousness every now and then.

More than once over the years, I've caught her eye as her husband waxes lyrical about a cause close to his heart, a knowing smile on her lips and a mischievous glint in her eye.

During an official visit to Egypt several years ago, the entire royal entourage was forced to rough it somewhat in modest mud-brick houses because Charles was eager to visit an eco-friendly, electricity-free village.

His wife later confided to me, amid much amusing eye-rolling, that the lack of electrical outlets was “all well and good if you don't have to use a blooming hairdryer.”

But don't mistake her ability to sometimes laugh at the absurdities of the position she found herself in as a sign of casual disgust. Queen Camilla is fiercely loyal to 'her husband' – and woe betide anyone who disrespects him.

“It sounds so terribly cliché, but she truly respects her husband, his drive, his passion to change the world for the better,” says another confidante.

“She is his fiercest champion and no one should underestimate her loyalty to him. They come as a team. Disrespect him is at your peril.”

In all the years I have worked with her, I have never heard Camilla refer to her husband as anything other than 'His Royal Highness, the Prince, the King or His Majesty', even in private.

“She has enormous respect for her husband as a king, but also as a man, and for the institution of the monarchy,” another source added. “That's something Queen Elizabeth also came to admire.”

And a friend tells me that as Camilla becomes tolerant of her husband's idiosyncrasies, he is just as patient with hers.

“He has, how should I put it, brought a bit of discipline to her, er, somewhat disorganized routine,” they noted wryly, with a nod to Camilla's notorious sloppiness and previously rather “relaxed” attitude to life.

Of course there is friction every now and then.

The king can become irritable if his wife talks too much. She wishes he would go slower, just a touch.

But they are small, everyday marital disputes and the king is clearly grateful to have someone with whom to share this rather strange and sometimes lonely life.

You only had to see the smile of undisguised pride that lit up his face as he watched his wife walk out of Buckingham Palace in her coronation get-up last May to understand how much she means to him.

They still have separate homes: Camilla has Raymill in Wiltshire, bought as a single woman, where she lives an informal existence away from strict palace life, while Charles still loves the formality/informality of Highgrove in nearby Gloucestershire .

But they are still close, so confident in their relationship that they can just sit in a room and read, without saying a word – just the occasional smile.

Charles has also embraced Camilla's family like his own. He has a huge bond with her sister Annabel, who will provide a shoulder to cry on for her sister who lost her husband to a long-term illness a few days before the coronation last year.

And he adores her children, Tom and Laura, and her five grandchildren.

During an interview five years ago, Camilla told me how her husband was a brilliant storyteller, who regularly read to the children at bedtime, especially Harry Potter, and did all the different voices for them. They were always fascinated, she said.

It is a side of the King that few get to hear about.

Above all, there is laughter. The kind of painful, heart-wrenching laughter that makes you weak in the knees.

At royal engagements, you'll often see the couple literally crying over a shared joke, appearing again and again as they grab each other's attention – no mean feat after 18 years of marriage – especially when things don't go quite to plan.

Laughter is something they will need more than ever as a couple as they face the King's current health crisis.

And like everything in life, it is something they will tackle together, united.

King and queen, but more importantly, husband and wife.

By Ali Daher for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 8:37 PM EST, January 30, 2024 | Updated: 9:54 PM EST, January 30, 2024