June 23, 2026
Harry’s UK Return Sparks Documentary Fears as William Backs Britain’s Pubs
Prince Harry’s expected return to Britain next month is already generating headlines, with reports suggesting royal aides are concerned a new documentary project could follow the Sussexes back to the UK. Is another Netflix-style production on the horizon, and why are William and Catherine reportedly unhappy about the possibility? Plus, royal observers explain why Princess Catherine remains the monarchy’s biggest star, Prince William donates money to save a struggling village pub and promises to pull a pint if the campaign succeeds, fresh debate erupts over the reported rent William and Catherine pay for their Windsor home, William prepares to guest-edit Country Life magazine, and a former hospital worker faces consequences after attempting to access Catherine’s private medical records.
A packed royal update covering the Sussexes, the Waleses, and the continuing battle over the future image of the monarchy.
Palace Intrigue is a daily British royal family podcast covering King Charles, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and the House of Windsor. New episodes every day. Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Part of the Caloroga Shark Media network.
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Calorougus, Shark Media, head Long and Welcome to Palace Intrigue.
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I am your host, Mark Francis. Prince Harry's expected return
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to the UK next month is generating fresh speculation about
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what the visit could mean, both for the royal family
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and for the Sussex's future media plans. The Duke of
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Sussex is expected to be in Britain as part of
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events marking one year until the twenty twenty seven Invictors
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Games in Birmingham. Reports suggest Meghan could join him, which
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would make it her first substantial visit to Britain since
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Queen Elizabeth the Iwond's funeral in September of twenty twenty two.
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According to reports, there is also a discussion about a
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possible documentary project focusing on Harry and Meghan's charitable work,
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including the Invictors Games. On though filming plans have been
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publicly confirmed, the prospect has reportedly raised concerns, but then
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Royal circles on. Source to all Radar Online, William and
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Kate are aware how in Meghan been in talks for
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another Fly on the Wall project, the idea that they
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could be bringing a film crew with them when they
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come to the UK has come as a very unwelcome surprise.
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The reported project would focus on the couple's humanitarian efforts
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and charitable activities. However, some observers believe any documentary following
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Harry and Meghan would inevitably draw comparisons with the work
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of the royal family. A source said the focus of
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this new show is expected to be much more heavily
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weighted towards their charitable work, but the reality is that
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cameras would still be following Harry and Meghan and documenting
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their lives, and William and Kate thought that chapter had
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largely been closed. Another source claimed William views it as
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a personal attack. He was under the impression that the
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Sussexes had chosen a different path and were focused on
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building their own identity outside the royal family. Instead, there
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is growing sense they're moving closer to territory traditionally occupied
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by the monarchy. The same source suggested Catherine was also
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puzzled by the prospect of another documentary, saying Kate doesn't
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really understand why Harry and Meghan worked with companies like Netflix,
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so much has been said publicly already. Her feeling is
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very much how can they do this all over again.
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At the center of the debate is a familiar question
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that has followed the Sussexes since stepping back from royal
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duties in twenty twenty. How closely can they remain connected
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to royal adjacent causes and public service while operating as
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private individuals. One source explained, William and Kate aren't exactly
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delighted at the prospect of the Sussexis coming to the
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UK with a camera crew and positioning themselves in a
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space but it has long been occupied by the royal family.
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The Palace worries that the lions are becoming increasingly blurred,
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and that's where some of the frustration comes from. The
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Sussexes are no longer working royals, yet they continue to
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operate in a space that often looks very similar to
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official work. A documentary focusing on that inevitably creates comparisons.
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The view of the Palace is that every time things
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begin to calm down, something new emergers that puts all
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the wrong things back in the spotlight. The relationship between
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William and Harry is complicated enough without another major television
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project entering the picture. For now, Buckingham Palace as not
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commented on the reports, and neither Harry nor Meghan has
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announced any documentary plans connected to the visit. People reminded
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us once again that Kate is the royal rock star,
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Royal Wealthor Catherine Meyer said, Kate is the closest they
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have to a rock star member these days, and she's
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the one everyone wants to see. That's a huge burden
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for anyone to carry, little and someone who has had
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existential battles with her health. Observers noted that trooping the
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color also carried echoes of a very different moment in
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Catherine's life. Two years ago, the annual military parade became
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the setting for her first public appearance after revealing she
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was undergoing cancer treatment. Looking back on that appearance, Maya
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said Kate not only had to look vibrant and in
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command of her role, but she knew she would be
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scrutinized more than ever. Prince William has bought his money
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where his mouth is when it comes to supporting Britain's
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struggling pubs. William made a private donation of one thousand
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pounds to help save a village pub in wiel Chair,
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backing a community campaign to purchase the Somerset Arms in
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the village of Semington. The pub has been closed for
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three years and local residents are trying to raise three
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hundred ninety five thousand pounds to buy it and reopen
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it as a community asset, and a letter sent to campaigners,
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William explained why the issue matters to him, how pubs
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have long held a unique place at the heart of
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British life. They are not simply places of hospitality, but
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vital spaces that bring people together, foster a sense of
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belonging and support the well being of local communities. In
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rural areas. They can be a lifeline, helping to combat
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isolation and sustain local identity. I am very keen to
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support the role that pubs play not only as businesses,
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but as community hubs that contribute so much to the
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social fabric nation. William ended his message with a promise
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that made delight local residents of the campaign succeeds. He
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wrote that he looks forward to coming down to Pullet
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Plant and celebrate your success more powers in just a moment.
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William and Kate are facing fresh scrutiny after details of
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the lease on their Windsor home became public through a
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official property records. According to reports, Prince William and Princess
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Catherine signed a twenty year lease on Forest Lodge, their
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family home in Windsor Great Park, in July of last year.
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The newly disclosed documents indicate the couple pay annual rent
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of approximately three hundred and ninety thousand dollars for the property.
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Forest Lodge, a grade to listed residents, serves as the
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family's primary home and includes additional staff accommodation on the estate.
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The property forms part of the Crown Estate, a vast
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portfolio of land and property whose profits are returned to
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the British Treasury. The release of the rental figure has
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prompted a debate about whether the arrangement represents fair market
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value for a royal residence of that size and prestige.
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William is said to take on an unusual new role
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later this year when he becomes guest editor of Country
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Life magazine. Wills will oversee a special edition of long
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running publications scheduled for release in November, following in the
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footsteps of both King Charles and Queen Camilla, who has
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previously edited the magazine. According to country Life, William's edition
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will focus on his deep connect into the countryside, environmental conservation,
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and one of the issues that has become increasingly important
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to him in recent years, mental health support in rural communities.
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The magazine says readers could expect a highly personal edition,
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including William's favorite countryside view, a cherish recipe, a favorite painting,
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and profiles of people he considers champions of rural life.
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Country Life editor in chief Mark Hedges that he recently
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met with the Prince to discuss the project and came
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away impressed by William's commitment to countryside issues. Hedges described
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him as a passionate countryman who cares deeply about the
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people who will live and work on the land, and
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suggested the special edition will reflect William's hope for the
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future at rural Britain. King Charles edited special editions of
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country Life in twenty thirteen and again in twenty eighteen.
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Princess Anne took the reins in twenty twenty. Queen Camiller
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edited a landmark edition in twenty twenty two to marco
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seventy fifth birthday, producing what became the best selling issue
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in the magazine's history. More recently, David Beckham became the
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first non royal guest editor when he took charge of
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him Edition last year. The investigation into the attempted sale
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of Kate's medical records has finally reached a conclusion. More
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than two years after the Future Queen underwent abdominal surgery
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at the London Clinic, a former healthcare worker has been
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dismissed and struck off following allegations that they attempted to
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access Kate's confidential medical information while she was being treated
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at a private London hospital in January of twenty twenty four.
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According to reports, the London Clinic launched an internal investigation
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after concerns were raised that a member of staff had
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tried to access the Princess's records. The matter was reported
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to the Information Commissioner's Office, which began a criminal investigation
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into the alleged misuse of highly sensitive personal information. The
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Information Commissioner's Office confirmed last week that the former healthcare
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worker received a formal caution under the Data Protection Act.
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In a statement, the watchdog zeb the conduct involved the
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deliberate misuse of highly sensitive personal information and an offer
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to disclose it for financial gain, representing a clear breach
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of Trust added that decaution was considered the appropriate and
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proportionate enforcement response and there have it. Hey all this month,
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we're encouraging listeners of Palace Intrigue, that's you, to help
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spread the word. If you enjoy the show, tell a
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friend about us, better yet, share an episode with someone
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who loves following the royal family. Be sure to follow
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Palace Intrigue on Spotify and turn on notifications and you'll
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never miss an episode. And we'd love to hear your
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thoughts on today's stories. You can move a comment for
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us on Spotify My Frances, my Things to John McDermott.
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This is Palace injury. Good terms,
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00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.879
129
00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:57.319
130
00:06:57.319 --> 00:06:59.759
131
00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:04.720
132
00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:07.720
133
00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:10.920
134
00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:13.639
135
00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:17.040
136
00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.879
137
00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:23.680
138
00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:27.560
139
00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:29.519
140
00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:32.959
141
00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:36.600
142
00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:40.800
143
00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:44.560
144
00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:48.040
145
00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:51.399
146
00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:54.920
147
00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:58.439
148
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.959
149
00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:08.279
150
00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:11.360
151
00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:13.120
152
00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:15.319
153
00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:18.160
154
00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:22.079
155
00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:24.000
156
00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.839
157
00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:29.639
158
00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:32.080
