President Trump lashed out at Apple on Friday, threatening the company with a 25% tariff on iPhones unless it moves production to the U.S. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s [sic] that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in […]
President Donald Trump hosted a swanky dinner last night for the top investors of his $TRUMP meme coin project, telling them "The Biden administration persecuted crypto innovators and we’re bringing them back into the USA where they belong," reports said.
The event at the Trump National Golf Club Washington DC in Potomac Falls, Va., was open to the 220 largest buyers of Trump’s meme coin, with the top 25 getting "an ultra-exclusive private VIP reception with the President."
The Wall Street Journal, citing blockchain analytics firm Inca Digital, reported that around $148 million worth of $TRUMP was purchased by investors to win seats at the dinner, where guests had to pass background checks.
"The Biden administration persecuted crypto innovators, and we’re bringing them back into the U.S.A. where they belong," it quoted Trump telling the audience Thursday night, who dined on filet mignon and halibut.
Protesters gathered outside the club holding signs that said "stop crypto corruption" and "no corrupt fools."
"The past administration made your lives miserable," Trump was also quoted by the New York Times as saying, in reference to President Biden’s regulations against cryptocurrency.
"There is a lot of sense in crypto. A lot of common sense in crypto," Trump reportedly added. "And we’re honored to be working on helping everybody here."
According to participants' posts on social media, Trump spoke for about half an hour before dancing to the song "YMCA."
Despite the White House insisting that Trump would be attending the event "in his personal time," he stood behind a lectern with the presidential seal.
Three days before Trump took office on Jan. 20, he announced the creation of the $TRUMP meme coin, describing as a way for his supporters to "have fun."
Trump’s meme coin saw an initial spike in value, followed by a steep drop. Its creators, which include an entity controlled by the Trump Organization, have made hundreds of millions of dollars by collecting fees on trades, according to the Associated Press.
Critics have raised concerns that the president's connection with cryptocurrency ventures could open the door to conflicts of interest and influence peddling.
When asked by a reporter Thursday if "anyone in the White House or in the White House counsel's office advise the president against holding this sweepstakes, whereby people who spent the most money on his Trump coin would then have access to the president at this time", Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump "is abiding by all conflict-of-interest laws that are applicable to the president."
"And I think everybody, the American public, believe it's absurd for anyone to insinuate that this president is profiting off of the presidency," she added. "This president was incredibly successful before giving it all up to serve our country publicly. And not only has he lost wealth, but he also almost lost his life. He has sacrificed a lot to be here, and to suggest otherwise is, frankly, completely absurd."
The biggest investor in Trump’s meme coin, Chinese billionaire Justin Sun – who spent more than $40 million -- told the New York Times outside of the event Thursday that "I’m very excited to meet him and discuss about crypto’s future."
Among those protesting outside the golf club were Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon.
"This is the crypto corruption club," Merkley was quoted by the Times as saying. "This is like the Mount Everest of corruption."
FOX Business’ Eric Revell and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fans reading through the romance novel Darkhollow Academy: Year 2 got a nasty surprise last week in chapter 3. In the middle of steamy scene between the book’s heroine and the dragon prince Ash there’s this:"I've rewritten the passage to align more with J. Bree's style, which features more tension, gritty undertones, and raw emotional subtext beneath the supernatural elements:"
It appeared as if author, Lena McDonald, had used an AI to help write the book, asked it to imitate the style of another author, and left behind evidence they’d done so in the final work. As of this writing, Darkhollow Academy: Year 2 is hard to find on Amazon. Searching for it on the site won’t show the book, but a Google search will. 404 Media was able to purchase a copy and confirm that the book no longer contains the reference to copying Bree’s style. But screenshots of the graph remain in the book’s Amazon reviews and Goodreads page.
This is not the first time an author has left behind evidence of AI-generation in a book, it’s not even the first one this year.
In January, author K.C. Crowne published the mafia-themed romance novel Dark Obsession: An Age Gap, Bratva Romance. Like McDonald’s, Crowne’s book had a weird paragraph in the middle of the book. “Here’s an enhanced version of your passage, making Elena more relatable and injecting additional humor while providing a brief, sexy, description of Grigori. Changes are highlighted in bold for clarity,” it said.
Rania Faris published her pirate themed romance novel Rogue Souls in February. Once again, there was evidence of AI-generation in the text. “This is already quite strong,” a paragraph in the middle of a scene said. “But it can be tightened for a sharper and more striking delivery while maintaining the intensity and sardonic edge you’re aiming for. Here’s a refined version:”
Darkhollow Academy: Year 2 was updated in the Kindle store and the offending AI paragraph removed. Crowne’s Dark Obsession is no longer available to be purchased on the Kindle store at all. Faris’ Rogue Souls had a physical print run. Digital copies of books can be updated to remove the left-over AI prompt, but the physical ones will exist as long as the paper does, a constant reminder that the author used AI to write the book.
Faris denied she used AI in a post on Instagram and blamed a proofreader. “I wrote Rogue Souls entirely on myown [sic],” the April 17 post said. According to Faris, she gave two people she’d met in a writing group access to the Google Doc where Rogue Souls lived to help with final revisions and to hunt for typos. She said one of them used AI to fix sentences without her knowledge. “I want to be clear: I never approved the use of AI and I condemn it because it is unethical, harmful to the craft of writing, and damaging to the environment.”
Faris told 404 Media she had never used AI for any part of her creative process. “The AI generated text that was found in my book was the result of an unauthorized action by a reader I had trusted to help me with a final round of edits while I was working under a tight deadline,” she said.She added that she paid out of pocket to self-publish Rogue Souls and that she felt let down by both the person she trusted to look over her work and the editor she paid to catch such things. “This experience has been a hard learned lesson,” she said. “I no longer share my manuscript with anyone. My trust in others has been permanently altered. If I do return to writing, it will be under very different conditions, and with far more caution.”
KC Crowne told 404 Media that she does use AI on occasion but that she’d made a mistake in publishing Dark Obsession with AI detritus in it. “I accidentally uploaded the wrong draft file, which included an AI prompt. The error was entirely my responsibility,” she said. “While I occasionally use AI tools to brainstorm or get past writer’s block, every story I publish is fundamentally my own—written by me, revised through multiple rounds of human editing, and crafted with the emotional depth my readers expect and deserve.”
Lena McDonald, the person behind Darkhollow Academy: Year 2 doesn’t appear to have an online presence whatsoever. 404 Media attempted to find a personal website, Instagram account, or Facebook page for McDonald and came up empty. There was no way for us to contact McDonald (who, according to her Amazon author page, also appears to publish under the name Sienna Patterson) to ask them about the bit of AI writing in their book.
Romance is, and has always been, a popular literary genre. Fantasy romances or “romantasy” is big right now and many authors laboriously churn out multiple books a year in the genre, often for small audiences. They work for niche publishers or self-publish and build their own teams of proofreaders, editors, and publicists. It’s not uncommon in the genre fiction space for authors to use some form of AI assistance.
“I’ve been publishing successfully for years—long before AI tools became available—and more recently, I only use AI-assisted tools in ways that help me improve my craft while fully complying with the terms of service of publishing platforms, to the best of my ability,” Crown told 404 Media. “Ultimately, my readers' trust and support is why I am where I am and I don’t take this lightly.”
These three authors are just the most recent examples. 404 Media previously reported that many more people publishing books right now are using some form of AI assistance. Amazon is filled with AI-generated slop. Even local libraries are starting to fill with AI-generated books written by authors who do not exist.
The romance novel space is, at least, self-policing. The reactions to Faris, McDonald, and Crowne’s use of AI was swift. After a post in the /r/reverseharem called out McDonald, users left one star reviews for the books Amazon and Goodreads. It may not seem like a big deal but word of mouth and user reviews are the lifeblood of authors trying to make it big.
Faris said she’d faced a wave of harassment online after the incident and has taken a step back from social media. “I’ve been caught in a situation where people have rushed to condemn without offering the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “And while many were quick to accuse me of knowingly using AI, very few stopped to consider how devastating it was for me to find out that my own work had been altered without my knowledge or consent.”
Ree Drummond wraps hers in lettuce, while Rachael Ray makes her own version of a McDonald's Big Mac.
Forget boring lettuce-cheese-and-tomato burgers at your next cookout — it's time to get fired up about something worthy of a celebrity-chef restaurant.
With Memorial Day weekend and grilling season right around the corner, there are chef-approved tips for elevating a classic burger at home.
Potato chips, bacon-tomato jam, and freshly sliced avocado — practically every celebrity chef has their own unique list of toppings they have to add to create their own signature burger.
Here's how 12 celebrity chefs make their perfect burger.
Bobby Flay adds potato chips to make his signature "crunch burger."
Bobby Flay.
Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images
Bobby Flay starts with four 6-ounce burgers made from ground chuck or ground turkey for the signature burger served at Bobby's Burger Palace.
He then adds American cheese, beefsteak tomato, lettuce, red onion, a homemade horseradish mustard mayonnaise sauce, and potato chips for the perfect amount of crunch.
Gordon Ramsay says seasoning can make or break your burger.
Gordon Ramsay.
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Gordon Ramsay makes his burger using ground beef and brisket and recommends storing the formed and seasoned burger patties in the fridge before putting them on the hottest spot of the grill.
For toppings, Ramsay adds American cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled white onions, and mustard mayonnaise.
Ina Garten makes her hamburgers using two types of beef and egg yolks.
Ina Garten and host Seth Meyers on "Seth Goes Day Drinking with Ina Garten."
To make Ina Garten's "real hamburgers," mix together 2 pounds of ground chuck and 1 pound of sirloin, steak sauce, egg yolks, salt, and pepper.
Garten also adds a small pat of butter to each burger, sticking it inside so it's covered by the meat before adding the burger to the grill.
Martha Stewart adds Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to her burgers.
Martha Stewart.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Martha Stewart makes her hamburgers by adding mustard and Worcestershire sauce to ground chuck.
She also recommends adding cheese, tomatoes, raw or grilled onions, pickles, and jalapeños to make the burgers even better.
Ree Drummond wraps her "low-carb" burgers in lettuce.
Ree Drummond.
Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
To make these Pioneer Woman-approved "low-carb" burgers, you'll need lettuce leaves large enough to fold over the entire hamburger patty, tomato slices, red onion, avocado, and chopped pickles.
Drummond also adds her own version of a special sauce, which uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Jamie Oliver tops his "insanity burger" with homemade burger sauce and pickles.
Jamie Oliver.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Jaguar Land Rover
British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's insanity burger comes directly from his cookbook "Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food." The recipe calls for a burger patty made from ground chuck steak.
Oliver uses sliced red onions lightly dressed in vinegar and sea salt, bacon, yellow mustard, Tabasco chipotle sauce, cheese, ketchup, pickles or "gherkins," and homemade burger sauce for toppings.
Joanna Gaines tops her "Gaines brother burgers" with drip jam and melted Gruyére cheese.
Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Mireya Acierto/Contributor/Getty Images
In her first cookbook, "Magnolia Table," Gaines shares the recipe for her famous burgers using ground beef, beefsteak tomato, homemade bacon-tomato jam, and Gruyére cheese.
To make Alton Brown's "burger of the gods," you'll need ground chuck and sirloin.
Alton Brown.
Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Alton Brown's "burger of the gods" patties are made with trimmed and cubed chuck and beef sirloin, plus kosher salt.
In the recipe, the celebrity chef and "Iron Chef" host recommends cooking the 5-ounce patties in a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
Guy Fieri's "straight-up with a pig patty" burger requires many ingredients, including "donkey sauce" and applewood-smoked bacon.
Guy Fieri.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
To recreate Guy Fieri's burger, you'll want to read the lengthy list of ingredients.
However, some highlights from this "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"-worthy burger are applewood-smoked bacon, heirloom tomato, Vidalia onion, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and two different kinds of sauce.
Giada De Laurentiis' game-day burgers are topped with cheese, tomatoes, and avocado.
To make De Laurentiis' recipe for game-day burgers, you'll need 2 pounds of ground chuck.
The Food Network star elevates these simple burgers with toppings like grilled onions steamed with balsamic vinegar and sugar, mashed avocado, provolone piccante cheese, arugula, and thinly sliced tomato.
Emeril Lagasse is famous for his blue cheese-stuffed burgers.
Emeril Lagasse.
John Lamparski/Getty Images
For Emeril's "kicked-up" blue cheese-stuffed burgers, you'll want to crumble the cheese and form it into small patties. Then, sandwich the cheese between two beef patties before adding it to the grill.
Lagasse's recipe also recommends topping the stuffed burgers with sliced tomatoes, romaine, sliced onions, and his green peppercorn mayonnaise.
Rachael Ray's version of a McDonald's Big Mac calls for homemade special sauce.
Rachael Ray at Burger Bash at the 19th Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival on February 21, 2020.
Manny Hernandez/Getty Images
Rachael Ray's recipe for "Big Smack" burgers uses her own special sauce, which is made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
She makes the actual burgers with ground beef sirloin and tops them with the special sauce, yellow American cheese, chopped Vidalia or white onion, dill pickle chips, and chopped iceberg lettuce.
Happy Friday! Let me offer a penny for your thoughts while I still can. The Treasury Department placed its final order for the coin best known for being stuck to the bottom of your car's cup holders.
For President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" and your wallet: Is beauty only skin deep?
The tax bill passed the House on Thursday and is now headed to the Senate. And while it's still subject to change, BI's Ayelet Sheffey examined how it could impact Americans' finances.
Here's a look at some of the potential winners and losers of the bill in its current form.
Winners
Service workers: The legislation would eliminate taxes on tips and overtime wages.
Parents: The current child-tax credit would be extended through 2028 and bumped up from $2,000 to $2,500. There's also the "Trump account" that includes a $1,000 deposit from the government for babies born in the US from 2025 through 2028.
Residents of states with high taxes: The cap on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, would increase from $10,000 to $40,000. The issue's been a source of GOP infighting.
Losers
People with student debt: Existing income-driven plans would be eliminated in favor of two options. One would be a standard payment plan. The other offers loan forgiveness after 360 payments for borrowers based on their income level. (The two new options aren't that much worse than borrowers' current options, but the bill shows more loan forgiveness is a long shot.)
EV owners: Say goodbye to those tax credits. And while we are at it, let's add a $250 annual registration fee. Somewhat relatedly, tax credits for homeowners installing solar panels or energy-efficient heat pumps are on the chopping block.
People on Medicaid and SNAP: The monthly work requirements for many recipients would rise. Elder Americans won't get a pass either, as the work requirement for SNAP benefits would extend to adults age 55 to 64.
Scott Heins/Getty
One group not on the above list would argue it's the biggest loser from Trump's bill: bond investors.
"Bond vigilantes" have been selling off Treasurys and sending yields spiking in protest of the bill.
The issue centers on the bill widening the US government's deficit (how much revenue is brought in compared to what it spends money on). At last count, that number reached $1.8 trillion. One estimate sees that growing by $4 trillion over 10 years under the new bill.
A bigger deficit means more borrowing, which isn't good for the economy's growth prospects. The more the US has to worry about paying off debt, the less it can spend on services or benefits for Americans.
And if the debt and deficit keep growing, some investors might wonder whether the government can actually make good on its debts (see: Treasurys).
3 things in markets
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images
1. Beware "global financial market Armageddon," a famed Wall Street bear warns. Societe Generale strategist Albert Edwards fears the worst as Japanese bond yields spike. Here's how the bond yield surge in Tokyo could affect the US.
2. Jamie Dimon says don't get too comfy. The US is still at risk of a fate worse than recession — stagflation — he told Bloomberg on Thursday. It's not a problem that can be ignored either. "I think it's a mistake to think we can go through all the things we're going through and the volatility itself will come down," he added.
3. Would you like an AI video with that research note? In response to client requests for more videos, UBS is using AI to generate avatars of its analysts that explain their notes. Thirty-six analysts, or about 5% of UBS' total, have volunteered to take part, and the bank has plans for more.
3 things in tech
Google CEO Sundar Pichai discussed new AI tools and updates during the company's Google I/O 2024 keynote speech.
Google
1. The ins and outs of Google I/O. The search behemoth's annual conference was packed with updates, from Gemini's Chrome integration to its nascent Smart Glasses. As Google preps for the AI era, here are the six main takeaways from I/O.
2. Legal-tech darling Harvey goes into the blue Azure. Harvey agreed to spend $150 million on Microsoft's cloud services over two years, according to an internal email seen by BI. The startup, which builds chatbots and agents for legal services, is scaling up and expanding.
3. Dear Jony Ive, please don't give us a voice-controlled device. The former Apple designer and Sam Altman have been teasing new AI hardware following OpenAI's purchase of Ive's startup. BI's Katie Notopoulos hopes the gadget won't require talking in public.
3 things in business
Slim Aarons/Getty Images
1. The jet-setting rich. Nearly half of summer travelers this year earn over $100,000, according to a Deloitte survey. Luxury travel is booming, but if you don't have deep pockets, you may find yourself cutting back during trips — if you go at all. The wealth gap may not last, though.
2. Walmart takes a page from the Big Tech playbook. The retailer is laying off 1,500 people to "remove layers and complexity," effectively flattening management. Companies like Meta and Amazon have led the trend to boost efficiency.
3. Don't say the T-word. Instead of "tariffs," businesses might say they have to raise prices because of "sourcing costs" or "supply-chain issues." Tariff-induced panic buying took off in April, but that burst of activity is winding down, Bank of America credit card data shows. That's bad news for the economy.
I'm on the verge of finishing my dream course at Harvard Business School. With Trump's crackdown on foreign students, I don't know if I'll be let back on campus.
The Business Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Ella Hopkins, associate editor, in London. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are raising Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in the US.
Archie and Lilibet didn't have prince and princess titles when they were born.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children might be royals, but their childhoods differ from those of other British princes and princesses.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been raising Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3, in California following their step back from the monarchy, giving their children almost entirely private childhoods that most royals don't get.
Here's everything to know about Archie and Lilibet.
Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor
Archie was born May 6, 2019, at the Portland Hospital in London, just shy of a year after Harry and Meghan's May 2018 wedding. The couple announced his birth on their Sussex Royal Instagram account, which they stopped using in 2020, with a graphic that read, "It's a boy!"
"We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6th, 2019," the post said. "Their Royal Highnesses' son weighs 7lbs. 3oz."
"The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well, and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives," the statement said.
Meghan Markle ditched royal tradition by waiting to pose for photos with Archie after his birth.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
Harry and Meghan broke tradition after Archie's birth, choosing not to do a photocall when they left the hospital as Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, did when their children were born. Instead, they introduced Archie to the world with a photocall at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8. They announced his name via Instagram the same day.
In 2020, the couple revealed Archie's name was inspired by the Greek word "arche," which means "source of action." They named their charitable organization Archewell for the same reason. Meanwhile, Harrison traditionally means "son of Harry," making it a natural choice for Archie's middle name.
Archie was seventh in the line of succession for the British throne when he was born, but he moved up to the sixth spot after Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022. Archie was christened in July 2019 at the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, with members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, in attendance.
The royal family was present at Prince Archie's christening.
Chris Allerton/Getty Images
While they were still working royals, Archie joined his parents on a royal tour of Africa in September 2019 when he was just 4 months old, meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu during his first royal engagement. Meghan later revealed Archie's nursery caught fire during the tour, though he wasn't hurt.
Harry and Meghan also shared a candid holiday card that featured a close-up of baby Archie in December 2019.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle brought Prince Archie on their royal tour of Africa in 2019.
Getty
Harry and Meghan decided to keep Archie out of the public eye since they stepped back as senior royals and relocated to the US in 2020. He hasn't joined them for public appearances, living out his childhood privately in Montecito, California.
The couple shared a few glimpses of Archie in their 2022 Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan," and he has appeared in a handful of Meghan's Instagram posts since January 2025. Her posts don't include his face, though.
Harry and Meghan welcomed Lili on June 4, 2021, at 11:40 a.m., as the couple shared in a statement on their Archewell website two days after her birth.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were expecting their second child in 2021.
In the statement, the pair said that Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California. Lilibet is the first member of the British royal family to be born in the United States.
At the time of her birth, she was eighth in the line of succession, but as of 2022, Lilibet is seventh in line for the British throne.
Harry and Meghan said that Lili's name celebrates her grandmother and great-grandmother. Lilibet was Queen Elizabeth's family nickname, while Lili's middle name honors Princess Diana, who died when Harry was 12.
"On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili," the couple said in their statement. "She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not release a photo of Lili's face alongside the announcement. They shared the first public photo of her face on their 2021 Christmas card.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's holiday card was the first photo they shared as a family of four.
Alexi Lubomirski
Lilibet was christened in the US in March 2023 during an intimate ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, which the royal family didn't attend. Tyler Perry, who allowed Meghan and Harry to stay in his house when they first moved to California in 2020, is her godfather.
Harry and Meghan released another photo of Lilibet for her first birthday, sharing a snap of the young royal at Windsor Castle's Frogmore Cottage.
The Sussex family traveled to the United Kingdom in June 2022 for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. During the visit, Lilibet met her great-grandmother for the first and only time. She also met her grandfather, King Charles.
Like her brother, Lili made minor cameos in "Harry & Meghan" and appears on her mother's Instagram, though her face isn't visible in the posts. Meghan also released a recipe for Chantilly Lili, a dessert named after her daughter, in April 2025.
Archie and Lili's titles changed after Queen Elizabeth II died
The Letters Patent, a royal decree made by King George V in 1917, states that only the current monarch's children and grandchildren and the children of the Prince of Wales can use a prince or princess title.
At the time of their births, Archie and Lili weren't the grandchildren of the sovereign or children of the Prince of Wales, making them ineligible for prince or princess titles.
Archie and Lili received prince and princess titles when Charles became king.
Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images
However, Meghan also said in her and Harry's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that while she was pregnant with Archie, some members of the royal family "were saying they didn't want him to be a prince," which she indicated may have been because Archie is biracial.
Following the interview, Buckingham Palace said in a statement, "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan."
"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," it said. "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."
Oprah Winfrey spoke to Meghan and Harry in an explosive interview.
Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images
After Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022, King Charles III ascended the throne, making Archie and Lili the grandchildren of the British monarch. As such, they automatically inherited prince and princess titles, per the Letters Patent.
Meghan and Harry referred to one of their children with their new title in March 2023, as a spokesperson for the couple called their daughter "Princess Lilibet Diana" in a statement to Business Insider about Lili's christening.
Although their titles and place in the line of succession changed, Archie and Lili aren't publicly known to have a relationship with the rest of the royal family. Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family is still strained, and in a May 2, 2025, interview with BBC News, Harry said his father isn't speaking to him due to disputes over security for the Sussexes when they're in the UK.
I've lived in the Netherlands for 10 years and see tourists make many of the same mistakes.
Taiga/Shutterstock
I'm an American who's lived in the Netherlands for 10 years.
I think visitors should expand their Dutch travel itineraries beyond just Amsterdam.
Expecting small talk and American-style customer service are other mistakes I see frequently.
Wandering into a Dutch bike lane is a fast track to two things: a near-death experience and an unexpected lesson in Dutch curse words.
After living in the Netherlands for the past decade, I've seen tourists repeatedly make this mistake — and many others.
Whether you're spending a weekend in Amsterdam or venturing farther north to Groningen, knowing what not to do can make all the difference. Here are the six biggest mistakes I see tourists make when they visit the Netherlands.
Only visiting Amsterdam
I recommend visiting other Dutch cities like Groningen during your trip.
Sarah Veldman
If your entire Dutch travel itinerary is based in Amsterdam, I think you're making a mistake.
Sure, the iconic city is featured in travel guides for a reason — romantic canals, the Van Gogh Museum, and an army of bikers with zero fear, come to mind — but there's so much more to the Netherlands.
Instead, I recommend visiting cities like Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen. Like Amsterdam, they have adorable Dutch houses and lots of charm, but are generally quieter and see fewer groups of tourists.
Traveling to popular tourist destinations without planning ahead
I recommend purchasing tickets for popular tourist attractions ahead of time.
AaronChenPS2/Shutterstock
If your plan is to wing it in the Netherlands, you'll likely be disappointed.
I recommend booking tickets for popular tourist excursions like Keukenhof (one of the world's most famous gardens, best known for its tulips) or the Anne Frank House ahead of your trip.
Otherwise, you risk spending the majority of your trip in line with the other hopefuls.
Expecting small talk
In my experience, many people in the Netherlands don't engage in small talk — although, the weather is exempt from this, as complaining about the rain, or the lack thereof, is basically a national sport.
However, this tends to surprise many first-time visitors. I've noticed people here don't typically ask how your day's going while bagging your groceries, unless it looks like your day has been a dumpster fire. Even then, I wouldn't expect a lot of sympathy.
The Dutch are known for their efficiency and getting to the point, and once you get used to it, the directness is kind of refreshing.
Walking in the bike lane
Tourists should avoid walking in the bike lanes.
Hadrian/Shutterstock
Those red paths at the side of the road aren't decorative — they're high-speed lanes for cyclists with zero patience. Most importantly, they're not safe for pedestrians.
Pro tip: If you hear a bell, move, and make it quick.
Anticipating American-style customer service
If you're used to American-style customer service where the waiter checks on you every five minutes, the Dutch approach might feel way more hands-off.
In my experience, servers won't typically try to upsell you the truffle fries or ask if you're "still working on that." Instead, it's common for patrons to just flag waiters if they need something.
I also wouldn't stress about tipping. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is appreciated, but not expected.
Booking accommodations in the city center
I recommend staying in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam.
Jason Wells/Shutterstock
Booking a place to stay in the middle of the city might seem like a good idea. However, there will likely be lots of noise.
Cities like Amsterdam have quieter neighborhoods, like De Pijp or Jordaan, with all the charm but fewer crowds (and significantly less yelling at 3 a.m.). In my experience, you'll also find more locals, better coffee, and aesthetic shops.
Staying just a little outside the chaos means you can still get the vibe you're looking for, but with a good night's sleep. Your future jet-lagged self will thank you.
Manchester City Pep Guardiola said he's planning to include Phil Foden in his squad for the FIFA Club World Cup despite accepting that midfielder needs a period of "rest."
