Blogs

NOW you can drive like a royal with King Charles’ former motor set to go on sale.

A lucky collector can snap up the Land Rover Defender 90 when it goes under the hammer next month.

SWNS

A Land Rover owned from new by King Charles is set to go under the hammer[/caption]

SWNS

The 2010 Land Rover Defender 90 was delivered to the Royal Garage at Highgrove House in November 2010[/caption]

SWNS

Iconic Auctioneers say the vehicle was supplied ‘for the sole use of King Charles III’[/caption]

The eye-catching vehicle was supplied in 2010 for the monarch and his wife Queen Camilla’s use.

The Royal couple, who were the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the time, parked the 4×4 at their private residence in Gloucestershire.

Finished in Keswick green, the Defender boasts a classic charcoal grey interior.

Better yet, it has a measly 24,595 miles on the clock.

The driver’s seat has only minor wear, indicating it was not chauffeur driven.

Heated seats and heated front and rear screens were added for the VIP.

A private collector is set to flog the motor in partnership with Iconic Auctioneers.

It was supplied by JLR Special Vehicles and delivered to Highgrove House in November 2010 with a confirmation letter addressed to Tim Williams, the then Prince of Wales’ head chauffeur.

There are many documents confirming the car belonged to the King but no images of him with it.

The car will be sold at Birmingham’s NEC in Iconic’s sale on March 22.

ROYAL SELL

It comes after Charles’ late mother Queen Elizabeth’s customised Land Rover which has a special ‘traffic light system’ has sold for a huge sum last year.

The green open-top 1978 Series III model was part of the ‘Royal Review’ convoy of cars which were used for her public engagements.

A special Plexiglass screen and chrome handrail were installed for her to hold on to while standing up and waving to the public.

Another special feature was a red, amber and green control dashboard discreetly tucked away in the side of the back seat.

There are ‘stop’, ‘slow down’ and ‘start’ buttons, so the Queen or her staff could instantly instruct the driver if she wished to move on.

The ‘military-style’ vehicle was originally built for the Central Army Vehicle Depot in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, before being modified to Royal specifications.

It sold for a hammer price of £32,000 to an internet bidder, rising to £36,800 with fees.

An RM Sotheby spokesperson said: “A full-width Plexiglass screen and chromed handrail were added to provide royal passengers with some level of protection and stability while standing in the rear.

“And a discreet ‘traffic light’ system allowed the Queen or her representatives to communicate instructions to the driver.

“This is an extremely unique opportunity to acquire a Land Rover with a true Royal connection.

“It has now been fully restored, meaning it presents immaculately and is now ready to join its next home.”

The Mega Agency

King Charles III leaves the Centre For Injury Studies at Imperial College London last week[/caption]

SWNS

A photo of the motor’s engine[/caption]

SWNS

The vehicle will go on sale on March 22[/caption]

AN ICONIC London restaurant has closed its doors due to “unsustainably high costs”.

The luxury eatery is the latest in a series of closures as financial pressures mount on family businesses. 

Petersham Nurseries

Alamy

PA Media

La Goccia opened six years ago on Floral Court in Covent Garden. 

Known for its exciting Italian food and lavish interior, which referenced its owners horticultural heritage, it was a hib for food-lovers and tourists. 

However, on Sunday, the Petersham-owned restaurant suddenly closed. 

According to management, the restaurant had struggled with “unsustainably high costs” while battle property costs and debt.

They added that they were anxious about the “looming impact of the recent Budget”. 

In her October 2024 budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased national insurance contributions for employers and increased minimum wage. 

Critics of the budget argued that this would increase costs for businesses, but Reeves insisted at the time that the move would support workers and stabilise the economy. 

The Italian restaurant also said that two other major events caused them to close. 

They said they decided to put their shutters down due to years of “significant cost challenges” caused by “covid and Brexit”. 

They told the Telegraph that they were unable to “recruit people with the right experience and skills” after Britain left the EU, adding to their business woes. 

The restaurant is owned by the Bolgione family, who launched their brand from their 17th century mansion Petersham House. 

Their luxury home was used as a set in the hit new Bridget Jones film. 

Another one of their restaurants, The Petersham in Covent Garden, will also be closing its doors for the same reasons as La Goccia. 

The Petersham, which shared a terrace with La Goccia, had been awarded with a Michelin star.

The news comes as the UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1 per cent at the end of 2024, with Reeves cheering that the economy was recovering. 

A year earlier, under Rishi Sunak’s government, the economy had shrunk by 0.3 per cent. 

In light of the news, Reeves said: “After 14 years of flat-lining living standards, we are going further and faster through our plan for change to put more money in people’s pockets.

“That is why we are taking on the blockers to get Britain building again, investing in our roads, rail and energy infrastructure, and removing the barriers that get in the way of businesses who want to expand.”

IT’S arguably the one day when a woman can unabashedly be the centre of attention.

So it’s little wonder one bride was left fuming when her mother sent her a snap of the dress she was planning to wear for her wedding.

oliveriosbridal.com

A bride-to-be was sent a picture of this wedding dress, which her mum said she was planning to wear to the nuptials[/caption]

reddit

She showed how a picture of the dress had been sent through to her on her phone by her mum[/caption]

Getty

When she argued with her mum about her dress choice, she hit back – and ended up being banned from the wedding[/caption]

As instead of a modern skirt set, or another look traditionally favoured by a mother of the bride, the woman had opted for a £2,300 WEDDING dress.

The bride took to Reddit to express her shock at the situation, as she shared a snap of the Sottero Kingsley dress that she’d been forwarded by her mum the day before.

“The dress my mom is planning to wear to my wedding,” she wrote alongside it.

“She sent this to me yesterday and I still haven’t replied,” she added.

The comments section was almost immediately filled with people weighing in on the situation, with all of them agreeing the mother of the bride was being ridiculous suggesting she’d be wearing the gown on her daughter’s big day.

“So I did an image search just for funsies and um, that is 100% a WEDDING Dress,” one wrote.

“Like ???

“And it comes in white or ivory with no other colour options.”

While others suggested responses the bride should send her mother, with one writing: “Ask her when she’s planning on getting married because she ain’t wearing that to your wedding.”

“Say this: ‘omg good one! Could you imagine if you actually wore a wedding dress to my wedding?! People would tear you apart!'” another suggested.

“Tell her that she’s not wearing a f**king wedding dress to your wedding and if she shows up in one she’s going to be removed from your wedding,” a third raged.

“I gave her 2 options: not wear the dress and wear something I recommend, or wear the dress and get uninvited,” the poster replied.

“I would just flat out ask her why she is wearing a wedding dress to your wedding and tell her she is making a gigantic fool of herself,” someone else said.

To which the bride-to-be explained: “I replied my mom with this direct answer: you’re not wearing that because it’s a legit wedding dress and lots of people find it disrespectful.

“You need to confirm with me you won’t be wearing that or I’d need to uninvite you all together. Guess what?

“She didn’t reply to that message. Instead, she asked about a random thing in the wedding, basically ignored my reply.

“I called her to have a direct conversation and it was her yelling for 10mins about how she’s my mum and if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today and get to have a wedding and all.

“I’d heard enough so I said please don’t come to the wedding. Bye mum.”

“Sorry it came to this, but her response 100% confirms she knew the dress looks like a wedding dress, and she was planning to wear it to get attention and make the day more about her and less about you,” someone wrote in response to that.

“I’m sorry you have such a narcissistic mother, but I’m glad you took a stand, and now you can enjoy your day without worrying about how your own mother is plotting to disrupt it.”

GOOGLE has put the final nail in the coffin of its popular Amazon Fire Stick rival.

More than 100million Chromecast devices have been sold in the last 12 years.

Google

Chromecast is the main rival to Amazon’s Fire Stick[/caption]

Google

The Google TV Streamer replaces the Chromecast[/caption]

But the tech giant announced last year that it was planning to discontinue the gadget.

Now, stock of the most recent model of Chromecast with Google TV appears to have completely run dry meaning it will now be confined to the dreaded “Google Graveyard”.

The firm has released a premium replacement device called the Google TV Streamer but it costs more than the Chromecasts.

Google TV Streamer retails for £99 and packs a number of enhancements, including extra storage space, improved performance so the device runs faster and smart hub features.

And unlike the Chromecast dongle form, the Google TV Streamer sits as a set-top box.

But five months after launching, the device is still missing one key app.

Brits still can’t access the BBC iPlayer app.

The broadcaster says the app is missing due to “a technical issue which we are working on with Google”.

“The BBC iPlayer app will be available to install on the 2024 Google TV Streamer in the near future,” the BBC’s support page explains.

Fortunately, telly lovers can finally access the Channel 4 app after a launch late 2024.

Although Chromecast is consigned to history, existing devices will continue to work for sometime yet.

Security updates are expected to run until September 2025, according to Android Police.

WHEN he races there’s no doubt Gidleigh Park is all heart, but behind the scenes issues with the crucial organ have returned to frustrate connections.

Harry Fry’s class act was due to run in the Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton which fell to Rubaud, who was providing Paul Nicholls with a famous 14th success in the event.

Getty

Gidleigh Park is a top talent and 20-1 for the Arkle – but has been sidelined again with a recurring heart issue[/caption]

However, the seven-year-old was a notable absentee.

Today, Fry told me: “Gidleigh Park had a setback last weekend and so we had to miss the Pendil. It’s not a new issue. It’s heart-related again.”

Gidleigh Park was back to his best with a bang when last seen defeating Caldwell Potter in the Grade 2 Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor. He jumped for fun from the front.

Fry continued: “Now we just have to manage his return to work. It’s frustrating and disappointing but we have a very good horse on our hands. We just have to do what is right for him.”

Gidleigh Park could have still been considered for Cheltenham without the latest issue – he is 20-1 for the Arkle – although Aintree had ultimately been the place connections had been aiming for.

Fry still has hopes, though, of making a Cheltenham splash, paritcularly with Idaho Sun who will aim for the bumper.

Idaho Sun is unbeaten in two starts at Newton Abbot and Windsor, where he went clear to score well in January.

Fry said: “I thought the bumper was looking a fairly open even until Willie Mullins had one hack up the other day and from the British contenders it looked as though we were right up there with Pipe’s Ascot winner (Windbeneathmywings). Idaho Sun is in good form.

“Altobelli has won his last two races well at Ascot and he’s in the Coral Cup. He went up a fair hike – 10lb – for his last success but he did it well. Beat the Bat would be interesting in either the Coral or Martin Pipe.”

Elsewhere… There should be some interesting Premier Racing Board Meetings at Chester Racecourse over the months ahead.

Chester has been outspoken over Premier Racing, and notably agitated over the restricted 2pm to 4pm window on a Saturday afternoon which has negatively impacted the course.

Just the other day, following an extensive recruitment process, Chester Race appointed Julie Harrington as a Non-Executive Director.
Harrington will replace Charles Barnett, who will step down from the Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

Harrington is, of course, a highly respected figure in British sport and business, but was Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority at the time when Premier Racing was introduced.

Indeed, only last year she said: “We should be encouraged that so many racecourses want to invest in and stage these Premier events. We will also see more promotional work and, we hope, a [Levy Board]-funded national campaign to support the work already being done by [Great British Racing] and the racecourses.

“Time and experience will help us determine the optimum number of Premier racedays with regards to racecourses and the horse population. This is the start of a two-year pilot and so we should resist the temptation to make snap judgements on its success based on limited experience.”

Oh to be a fly on the Chester boardroom wall!

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

---

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

THIS is the horrific moment a great-grandad pulls a gun on his granddaughter after his wife’s ashes were grabbed from his mantlepiece.

Disturbing footage showed Martin Gordon march up to his terrified relative with a pistol in Dudley, West Mids., on August 11 last year.

West Midlands Police

Martin Gordon threatened his granddaughter with a gun after his wife’s ashes were taken[/caption]

West Midlands Police

Cops found the 64-year-old in a black Range Rover at a nearby industrial estate[/caption]

West Midlands Police

The shocking scene unfolded at the Samson and Lion pub in Dudley[/caption]

The 64-year-old tried to hide the handgun behind his back as he approached the local Samson and Lion pub.

Sporting a light blue shirt and dripping with gold jewelry, he then threatened his granddaughter with the firearm.

His grandson stepped in waving a baseball bat to try and protect his sister from the thug.

Alarmed witnesses filmed the intense family brawl and shared the video on social media.

Cops were called to the scene at around 1pm and located Gordon inside a black Range Rover at a nearby industrial estate.

Officers forced him out of the vehicle and he was cuffed while laying face down on the ground.

It transpired the fuming gunman had targeted his family member after his wife’s ashes had been taken from his mantlepiece.

He was also found with a magazine of blank bullets, a pick axe handle and two tasers.

Meanwhile a round of live ammunition was discovered in his kitchen sink at home.

The 64-year-old was charged with possessing a firearm, having ammunition without a licence, and two counts of possessing a taser.

Gordon told Wolverhampton Crown Court he bought the the gun for protection after he lost £200,000 in a robbery.

He was sentenced to five years in jail on February 13.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police added: “Our firearms officers descended on the site and arrested Gordon less than 40 minutes after the original call.

“He was found with a magazine containing two bullets in his pocket, while the gun was still in the car.

“Following an investigation by our Major Crime Unit (MCU), Gordon, of Brierley Hill Road, Wordsley, admitted possession of a firearm.

“He was jailed for five years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 13 February.”

Det Sgt Matt Nightingale, from our MCU, added: “Gordon brandished this weapon in full view of other members of the public and made no effort to conceal it.

“Quick work by officers meant that we were able to quickly locate him and recover the gun.

“We’re committed to tackling gun crime – we’re taking weapons off the streets and putting those who carry them behind bars.”

West Midlands Police

Cops found Gordon with a gun, a magazine of blank bullets, a pick axe handle and two tasers[/caption]

West Midlands Police

The 64-year-old was jailed for five years[/caption]

West Midlands Police

Gordon told Wolverhampton Crown Court he bought the the gun for protection after he lost £200,000 in a robbery[/caption]

EVERYONE can see the flowers but only those with the sharpest minds can spot the sneaky cat in 12 seconds.

If you can spot the cat in the image within the time limit, then you can claim a high IQ and 20/20 vision.

Instagram/centraltucson.co

If you can spot the cat in 12 seconds then you can claim a high IQ and 20/20 vision[/caption]

This puzzle is particularly difficult, as on a first glance the cat seems nowhere to be find.

The keenest and most observant of viewers, however, may just be able to make out a pair of ears and whiskers nestled between the large cacti and white flowers.

If you’ve managed to successfully find the cat, give yourself a pat on the back.

If you’re still struggling, try a new tactic.

Try to study each flower in turn, and then move onto the next until you spot it.

Picture puzzles are a form of brain teaser that tests the reader’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

These challenges have the potential to boost intelligence and improve concentration.

Still haven’t found the elusive cat?

Here’s a handy hint – have a look in the white flowers on the right-hand side.

Did you spot the cat?

Congratulations! You have 20/20 vision and a high IQ.

If you still can’t find it, here’s the solution.

The cat is circled in red.

If you enjoy testing your brain, have a look at our other optical illusions.

Instagram/centraltucson.co

The cat is hiding in the flowers[/caption]

Galabingo

Can you spot the bird in 12 seconds?[/caption]

jagranjosh

Can you spot the 10 differences in this picture?[/caption]

Galabingo

Found it! The bird was on a cloud[/caption]

jagranjosh

Well done! You found them all![/caption]

Even with the Philadelphia Eagles securing a Super Bowl victory two weeks ago, quarterback Jalen Hurts isn’t slowing down. Despite winning the Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts kept sharpening his skills, launching a deep pass on the move during his workout video. The video first appeared on the Instagram account @coachhurts2, run by Hurts’ brother Averion […]

The post Jalen Hurts grabs attention with workout video just 2 weeks after winning Super Bowl appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It’s time to continue our College Basketball odds series with a North Carolina-Florida State prediction and pick. Find out how to watch North Carolina-Florida State. The North Carolina Tar Heels are on the edge. They are right near the cut line for selection into the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina did beat Virginia on Saturday, a […]

The post North Carolina vs Florida State prediction, pick, college basketball odds appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A BOY has been charged with stabbing a teenager at a Primark store in front of horrified shoppers.

The 17-year-old suffered a wound to his chest after being stabbed inside the store in Long Row, Nottingham, at around 11.30am yesterday.

After being attacked in “full view” of shoppers, he was treated at the scene by paramedics and was taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries.

However, police confirmed that his condition is stable and his injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening.

A 16-year-old, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, was arrested a few hours after the incident and has now been charged with both wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place and has been remanded into custody.

He is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gould, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand the alarm this incident has caused and I’d like to reassure the public we have been working at pace to build a full picture of what had happened – and why.

“I am pleased we have now been able to charge a suspect in this case.

“As we continue to progress with our investigation, we are still urging anyone who has information which could assist us with our inquiries, who hasn’t already come forward, to please contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 241 of 23 February 2025.

Alternatively, you can anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

BPM

The 17-year-old was stabbed by inside the Primark store in Nottingham on Sunday[/caption]