Matt Davies

Former royal chef Darren McGrady recalled Princess Anne responding to an RAF officer’s question about her flight to Balmoral with a sharp joke: “Have you ever flown before?” He said the Princess Royal shares the late Prince Philip’s wit. The article also highlights Anne’s 474 official engagements during the previous year, her support for more than 400 charitable causes, and praise from Motor Neurone Disease Association chief executive Tanya Curry for her remarkable stamina and commitment.

BBC Radio 2 is ending its use of Maida Vale Studios, a London site that survived the Blitz and hosted generations of major musicians, orchestras and John Peel Sessions. Vernon Kay said the Piano Room will continue from a new location, while Maida Vale is being refurbished by a team including Hans Zimmer rather than demolished. The final Piano Room performance featured Gwen Dickey with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Paris Jackson said she spent only the first few years of her life at Neverland Ranch and did not have unrestricted access to its amusement park, zoo or cinema. She and her brothers were home-schooled and could use the attractions only after completing schoolwork, chores and other responsibilities, while visits to animals, rides and films were generally reserved for weekends.

Photographs of Donald Trump playing golf prompt renewed speculation about his health, with social-media users and commentator David Pakman claiming that his gait and movement appear labored. The report notes previous concerns about Trump’s swollen ankles, hand bruising, weight and alertness, while acknowledging that photographs cannot establish a diagnosis. Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella, previously described him as being in excellent health and fully fit to perform his presidential duties. The article also says Trump posted an apparently AI-enhanced image from the golf outing with Gary Player.

YouTuber Sam Wilder spent 24 hours without leaving the Cabot Court Hotel, a Wetherspoons venue in Weston-super-Mare. He praised its seafront location, sea views, spacious room, food, multiple levels and staff, particularly enjoying the breakfast and Korean fried chicken wrap. He found the fish and chips enjoyable but criticized the bland mushy peas and slightly stale wrap. His main complaints were the lack of air conditioning and an uncomfortable bed, which contributed to a poor night's sleep.

Donald Trump's distinctive hairstyle has prompted years of speculation, including claims that he is bald, uses a highly engineered combover and had scalp-reduction surgery in 1989. Author Michael Wolff repeats several of these allegations and says Trump's hair became a defining part of his public identity, while claims attributed to Ivanka Trump concern how the style was maintained and coloured with Just for Men. Ivana Trump previously alleged under oath that Donald underwent scalp-reduction surgery, but Trump has never confirmed it.

Princess Isabella of Denmark has begun 11 months of mandatory military service, joining about 1,600 recruits and reportedly preparing to serve with the Guard Hussar Regiment in Slagelse. Denmark has extended conscription to women, lengthened service from four to 11 months and plans to increase annual recruitment as it responds to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Arctic security concerns and tensions over Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland. Denmark and Greenland reject any territorial seizure. The country is also supporting broader NATO efforts to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, although analysts say the UK, France and Italy are struggling to meet the commitment.

Donald Trump’s aides reportedly ushered reporters out of the Oval Office after a press session in which he made disjointed comments comparing grass to human beings, discussed parks and border security, and criticized the transport system at Dulles International Airport. Commentator David Pakman interpreted the abrupt ending and the aides’ gestures as signs that Trump was struggling during the appearance. Trump also discussed Iran, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and plans to improve Dulles, referring to its people movers as the “Star Wars” system.

Lisa Kudrow recounted a series of unusual events her family experienced at the moment her mother died, including simultaneous awakenings and repeated unexplained “MOM” text entries that appeared on her phone. She shared the story on Mayim Bialik’s podcast, reflecting on how these moments felt like signs from her late mother. Friends and family later suggested the incidents could have been messages from beyond, echoing themes associated with Kudrow’s character on Friends.

Laura Tobin apologised to Charlotte Hawkins after unintentionally wearing a dress borrowed from her Good Morning Britain wardrobe to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. The light-hearted exchange followed previous instances where Tobin borrowed items from colleagues for royal events. The article also revisits Tobin’s defence of the programme’s extensive extreme‑heat coverage after viewer complaints, highlighting Met Office warnings about unprecedented temperatures and associated health risks.

A mother from Exeter criticised a £480 fine issued after taking her four children out of school for a term‑time family trip to Gran Canaria, arguing the holiday was educational and far cheaper than travelling during the summer break. She said honesty about the planned absence led to her being unfairly punished and urged reconsideration of rules governing authorised leave. Devon County Council stated absences not approved by schools must be treated as unauthorised under national guidance, making fines an expected consequence.

A mother shopping with her children in an Essex Tesco was stopped by a security guard who said her backless top could be untied by someone and leave her exposed during a heatwave. After covering her shoulders with a gym sweater, she was allowed to shop but said the guard showed disdain as she left. Tesco apologised, saying the incident should not have happened. The woman expressed concern about how the episode affected her young daughters and criticised the reasoning as victim‑blaming. Her online post about the incident received broad support, with many urging her to escalate a complaint.