Stay Royal ShelterBox

ShelterBox, with headquarters in Santa Barbara and Truro, Cornwall, has had its royal patronage renewed.

After a review conducted by the Royal Household, following Queen Elizabeth’s death two years ago, and coinciding with the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, it comes at a poignant time as ShelterBox approaches its 25th anniversary.

The nonprofit has supported nearly three million people in around 100 countries since it was founded in 2000.

Camilla and her husband were first introduced to ShelterBox in 2006 while on an official visit to Pakistan when they learned about the charity’s work supporting families who lost their homes in the Kashmiri earthquake.

She has also hosted receptions at Clarence House, the former home of the Queen Mother, and promoted ShelterBox at a reception at Buckingham Place in 2023.

Camilla has also visited ShelterBox’s U.K. headquarters several times, including in 2017 when president Kerri Murray was with her when she cut a cake to mark her 70th birthday.

Travel Plans

Could more quasi-royal African tours be in the future for Prince Harry and his actress wife Meghan Markle?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now back at their Riven Rock estate following a three-day visit to Nigeria after a trip at the invitation of the country’s military.

The tony twosome expressed their gratitude and described it as “the first of many memorable trips.”

They completed their visit with a reception in Lagos and a polo match fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered, a local charity.

Differences on Set

Carpinteria Oscar winner Kevin Costner is ready to set the record straight on the behind-the-scenes drama of his hit Western Yellowstone.

Kevin, 69, claimed he honored his commitment despite ongoing rumors and discussions, as season five ended prematurely.

Allegedly differences between Costner and producer Taylor Sheridan caused the holdup.

Paramount claimed Costner refused to shoot more episodes, instead concentrating on his new film Horizon, while Costner asserts Paramount sought contract amendments due to Sheridan’s delayed scriptwriting.

“There was no script,” Costner tells Deadline. “…You’ve been reading one version (of the drama) for a year and a half.”

“I’ve taken a beating from guys and I know a lot of times where it’s coming from. I just elected not to get into that. But if you know me well enough, I made Yellowstone my first priority and to insinuate anything else would be wrong.”

Beach Boys Answer

Montecito resident Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys reunited with bandmate Mike Love at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios for a special Q & A session last week.

The dynamic duo were celebrating the launch of their new Disney+ documentary film The Beach Boys and marking the 50th anniversary of their Pet Sounds album.

The documentary, which is being released on Friday (May 24), traces the band from humble family beginnings and features never-before-seen footage and all-new interviews with the band members – Brian Wilson, Love, Al Jardine, and Montecito Shores resident Bruce.

The Numbers Are in

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara has awarded college scholarships totaling more than $7.1 million to 1,784 Santa Barbara County students for the 2024-25 academy year.

Of the $7,123,615 awarded this year, $3,279,721 will help to support students in the North County communities, and $3,804,179 will help support students in South County communities.

Scholarships can be used for college, graduate, and vocational studies, including law and medical school.

The foundation is America’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships, having awarded in excess of $150 million to some 62,000 county students since its founding in 1962.

George d’Or

Carpinteria resident George Lucas, 80, receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

Star Wars mogul Lucas was described as “one of the greatest figures of contemporary cinema, a man with an extraordinary career, who brings together great entertainment and innovation, mythology and modernity to cinephilia and technology.”

Who am I to disagree?

Sightings

 Maroon 5 rocker Adam Levine checking out Lotusland… Carol Burnett at the Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion premiere in L.A… Julia Louis-Dreyfus receiving a 2024 Webby Award in New York.

Pip! Pip!