Category Entertainment News

With the social event of the summer just around the corner, it appears the King has made his Royal Ascot plans clear with multiple appearances expected at the week-long race event

The social event of the season is just around the corner, with royals and horse racing fans alike all busy preparing for Royal Ascot. The days-long summer event begins on Tuesday and will run until next Saturday.

While it has been expected that King Charles and Queen Camilla will make at least one appearance at the five-day meeting, it seems that the couple are keen to offer their full support to the event. So much so that is has been reported that they will attend every single day of Royal Ascot, keeping a keen eye on the races from their royal box and taking part in the carriage procession.

In years past, Charles has been a regular feature at Royal Ascot , often seen supporting his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth who had a particular love of horses and racing – a love that is also shared by Camilla.

As well as his own passion for the races, King Charles has an important role to play at Royal Ascot since becoming King, and he is excited to get stuck into it.

A source told The Sun: “Camilla has been passionate about horse racing for many years but the King has surprised himself by how much he enjoys it. It is an opportunity to catch up with guests and show support for the horse racing industry.”

It is believed the King has two horses running at the festival this year, although the full list of runners and riders has yet to be officially confirmed.

His horse The King’s Falcon could be a smart bet after the three-year-old gelding won at Carlisle just two weeks ago. Royal Ascot week kicks off on Tuesday when the King Charles III Stakes is one of the opening day highlights.

The King Charles III Stakes, formerly known as the King’s Stand Stakes, is a Group 1 flat horse race open to horses aged three years or older, marking the official beginning of Ascot week.

The tradition of Royal Ascot stems back to the early 1700s, with Queen Anne seeing the potential for a racecourse at East Cote, declaring that it looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch” while out riding. Her Majesty’s Plate, which was a race open to any horse over the age of six, first took place on August 11th 1711, with Royal Ascot only growing from then.

The revelation of King Charles’ Ascot appearances comes after it has been reported that Charles will not ride a horse in Trooping the Colour on Saturday. Instead of mounting a horse, like he has done in previous years, it is expected that the monarch will join Camilla in the royal carriage for the procession to and from Buckingham Palace.

The decision was made for the King to ride in the carriage for the second year in a row due to the fact that it would be more comfortable and safe for the King following his treatment for cancer.

The last time King Charles rode in Trooping the Colour was in 2023, which was the first time a monarch had ridden in the parade since Queen Elizabeth did in 1986.

Although Charles will not be on horseback for the procession, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward will be taking part in the parade on their trusty horses .

Sam Thompson has pulled out of Soccer Aid just days before the match. Sam was due to play in the event this weekend but after training yesterday, he has decided to pull out of the show.

He is set to make the announcement today, where he will confirm he would no longer play in the match. Other stars set to play this weekend including football legends Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes as well as Lioness stars Toni Duggan, Steph Houghton and Jill Scott. Steve Bartlett will also appear in the match.

Euro 2020 winner Leonardo Bonucci, Nadia Nadim, Diamond and dancer Gorka Marquez will play this weekend too, alongside Paddy McGuiness, Sam Quek, Dermot Kennedy, Tom Grennan and Martin Compston.

Sam will not play this weekend after sustaining an injury during his five-day challenge, during which he raised money for Unicef and smashed the £1 million mark. He tore his calf in dramatic scenes during the challenge.

He now has more of a coaching role and will still play a big part in the event in Manchester. He said on This Morning today: “I’m still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this. We’ve still got the management team of England, we’ve got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who’s stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp…

“But also because I’m not going to be able to run around, you’ve also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby! … I came here with high hopes and went to see Gary the physio and I can kick a ball from a standing start, but when it comes to like general chaos of playing competitive sport there’s just no way. I cant really run properly so yeah. They were very kind and said we still want you to be a part, so I get to go on the dark side with Tyson Fury.”

Sam has documented his injury and his recovery so far. “On the first day I did the first marathon and on the last 2k I felt like I’d been shot in the back of the leg and I’ve completely torn the calf muscle but it’s fine I’m strapped up!” he revealed of his injury at the time.

“We were absolutely drenched, and my back was aching, but having Chris there kept me going. I can cope with the bad conditions and the aches and pains, but my leg keeps letting me down. I was told at the last pitstop I could try and run the last few kilometres to test my leg and my recovery, so I cycled out the pitstop determined to make it as far as I could towards the stadium and tried to run into Villa Park. If I have to get up at 4am every morning for the rest of the week to complete this, I will. I’m going to make it to Manchester by Friday. I am so grateful to everyone that has supported me already and donated – that’s the one thing keeping going.”

He had been updating fans on his progress, sharing a snap from his ice plunge. Alongside the photo, he was adamant he wanted to help. He said: “Trying to get those legs right for soccer aid!! I WILL play a part.”

Sam had told The Mirror there was talk of him being medically discharged from his challenge because he was in so much pain.

Speaking to us about his terrifying injury, he said: “I was crying into my physio’s arms on day one, because I was just so terrified that I was going to be that guy who took this on and got medically discharged. They were talking about doing that but I was like ‘no’. I just got into a fast hobble and that just about worked.”

Sam’s challenge involved hi, delivering the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match ball from last year’s stadium, Stamford Bridge, London, to the home of this year’s match, Old Trafford, Manchester. The total distance was 261miles.

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Millie Mackintosh has been giving fans an insight into her go-to footwear for comfy and casual styling, sharing her love for a pair of Ugg clogs that are currently on sale

Looking for the perfect pair of shoes that seamlessly blend the comfort and ease of your favourite slippers with the practicality of stylish clogs? Well, Millie Mackintosh may have just the ticket.

Always one to share her fashion finds with her followers, this week Millie has been sharing snaps of her getting comfy and cosy while on holiday. The key feature of most of her recent looks? A pair of covetable clogs from the iconic brand Ugg.

Featuring an elevated style from their cult-favourite slippers, these Ugg shoes promise to keep your feet comfy and cosy while you go about your day-to-day. Plus, Millie’s favourite shoes are currently on sale, saving shoppers a handy £32 thanks to this Ugg sale.

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Still fully stocked in sizes 6 to 11, these Ugg All Gender Goldencoast Clog Regenerates, which have captured a top spot in Millie’s wardrobe, would normally set shoppers back a steep £160, but they are now up for grabs for the reduced price of £127.99 while this deal lasts.

Promising superior comfort and care, the new Goldencoast Clog Regenerates from the Regenerate by UGG collection offer premium comfort and practicality that ensures they will become a staple in your shoe collection for many seasons to come. Boasting soft microfiber and plush Twinface Sheepskin sourced from farms that practice regenerative agriculture, these clogs offer two ways to wear thanks to the adjustable, swivelling ankle strap.

The 10mm Twinface upper and Microfiber Binding combine with the Microfiber lining and PORON footbed to deliver the impressive comfort Ugg’s have become renowned for. But it’s not just all about the inside. These clogs feature Sugarcane EVA outsoles that ensure you can wear these beauties around the house or while going about your day-to-day without them getting soggy. Constructed from the iconic suede outer, these shoes seamlessly blend casual and contemporary style that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for practicality.

Currently boasting a perfect 5-star rating, several shoppers have joined Millie in sharing their love for these beauties. One customer raves: “Absolutely love love love these. Put them on as soon as arrived hardly had off since. We need more colours please. I’ve got pins and a plate in my foot and find it difficult to get comfortable shoes these definitely are worth the money. But would love to have other colours please.”

Another buyer beams: “Truly comfortable, slightly smarter than the others Lots of comments! I would of preferred more choice of colours!”

A third chimes in: “I have a high instep and wide feet and struggle to find shoes that fit – these are amazing. Sooo incredibly comfy I wear them all the time my favourite all time pair of shoes would love them in the smoke colour. Please don’t stop making these!!!”

Further accolades come from this customer who writes: “These are the best Ugg shoes I’ve bought so far I get so many comments about them and there so warm and so so comfortable I’ve got no fault in them.”

And the same sentiments are shared by this shopper who says: “I love these, they are so comfy. Very very happy with them, I just wished they did them in more colours.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold was presented as a Real Madrid player on Thursday and introduced his girlfriend to the world, but the press conference has been overshadowed by the right-back’s new language skills

England footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold used his unveiling as a Real Madrid player to go public with girlfriend Estelle Behnke. The 26-year-old right-back sat next to his model partner as he was presented to Spanish media and introduced himself to Real Madrid fans.

Trent, who previously dated actor Jude Law’s daughter Iris, has been in a relationship with Esetelle since October 2024. She boasts more than 75,000 followers on Instagram and recently posted pictures from a trip to Beverly Hills.

Last year, the happy couple enjoyed a romantic getaway at the exclusive £6,000-per-night Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds and were also seen dining at the celebrity favourite Cibo in Hale, Cheshire.

Trent and his new flame turned heads as their shared location tags at an exclusive members’ club in the Cotswolds sparked romance rumours. Eagle-eyed supporters had already picked up on signals of blooming love between the two following individual holiday posts.

And the relationship was confirmed on Thursday when Estelle joined the Trent’s family to watch his press conference at Real Madrid City, Madrid, and sported a stunning in a white one-shoulder dress. But, in what should have been a great day for the footballer, both personally and professionally, has been tainted due to a social media storm over Trent’s new language skills.

The 26-year-old England international, who signed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants after his contract with English champions Liverpool expired, spoke fluent Spanish confidently at his official presentation ahead of a press conference.

His choice to speak in the language of his new club and not English surprised many, but showed the preparation which had gone into this move, something for which he was criticised by sections of the Liverpool fanbase after running down his contract with his hometown club.

“A SCOUSER speaking fluent spanish? lmaooo trent has been plotting and preparing for this move since the summer of 2022,” one Twitter (X) used commented as the clip of Trent went viral.

“Nah Trent was speaking intermediate level Spanish. He has been planning to leave for YEARSSS LOOOOOOOOOOOL,” another mused, with a third fuming: “Trent cost his boyhood club the winning goal in a Champions League final and immediately started learning Spanish to help orchestrate a move to the club he’d just lost too, don’t let anyone tell you he’s not a rat.”

Acknowledging that many – including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – criticised Reds fans for booing Trent during one of his final games for the club after confirming his exit, another Twitter (X) user wrote: “LOOOOOOL na we all need to apologise to Liverpool fans because Trent is all of a sudden fluent in Spanish???? I am so sorry Liverpool fans.”

Trent admitted during his presentation that Real Madrid was the only team he would have left boyhood club Liverpool for and was comfortable he made the right decision.

The 26-year-old, who has signed a six-year deal after Real Madrid paid £8.5million to release him from a contract expiring this month, rejected suggestions he had been heavily influenced by close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham.

He also denied he had been orchestrating the move for a long time but impressing president Florentino Perez and assembled club dignitaries by surprisingly addressing them in Spanish did nothing to calm the anger a significant section of the fanbase have felt about the way he handled his exit after 20 years at Liverpool.

“To be honest, it was never a question of where, it was whether to go or not to go but I always knew, I’ve probably known it for a long time, if I was ever to leave Liverpool, it would only be to go Real Madrid, that would be the only club for me,” said Trent, who told a press conference he had been learning Spanish “for a few months”.

“Then it gets to a point where you have to make a decision whether to go or stay and making that decision was not an easy decision because I’d been there so long, but eventually you have to make a decision and in my mind, I’ve made the right one.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Pete Wicks has confessed there’s one act he won’t perform for a woman. He recently revealed all on his Staying Relevant podcast with Sam Thompson

You may often wonder what rules celebrities have in place when it comes to their love lives, and it appears Pete Wicks has a pretty big one. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant recently revealed all as he appeared on the Staying Relevant podcast with his best friend, Sam Thompson, and he made a candid confession about his future wife.

When talking about relationships, Pete, 37, was asked how he’d propose, and there’s one thing he appears to be set against doing. He made his thoughts clear when Sam quizzed him on his future proposal plan, but it’s clear he’s not interested in what it will look like on social media.

In a clip posted on Instagram, Pete said: “I’m not overly interested in hiring videographers and f***ing people to capture every single moment of it. I don’t need f***ing ‘How Long Will I Love You’ in the background.”

When asked if he’d rather get married abroad or at home, he added: “It depends whatever’s poignant. If it was poignant for us that, I don’t know, you know something really important to us happened at the M1 services, I’d do it there.

“It doesn’t matter where it is – it’s about the person. I’d be on my knee whilst I tell her how much she means to me, ‘I’ve never been in love before until I met you, and I knew from that moment that it will only ever be you’.”

Sam joked that he’d need to say a bit more than that to seal the deal, but Pete quipped that you can say a lot with your eyes. It’s fair to say the candid confession got a lot of people chuckling.

While Pete’s future wife may not get every moment of their proposal captured, it looks as though many of his fans agreed with his stance. They couldn’t help but laugh at the way he made the confession.

One said: “Aside jokes…whoever steals his forever heart is a lucky woman, he has a good heart.” Another wrote: “I mean I’d say that was a perfect proposal to be honest!”

A third replied: “The picture that Pete painted of his proposal was just perfect! I actually shed a tear.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “Yes – love this!”

However, whatever Pete’s ideas about love may be, it doesn’t seem to be the main thing on his mind at the moment. This week he has been on a quest to try and find dogs a new home.

As the presenter of TV show Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, he meets hundreds of dogs every year who are in desperate need of a home; however, he was left so touched by the heartbreaking story of Theo that Pete is now calling on kind-hearted Mirror readers to help.

Adorable Theo, who is only four-years-old, has a life-limiting heart condition, which means he may only have up to a year left to live. Pete is on a mission to find him a loving home so he doesn’t have to spend his final days in kennels.

To help out even more, the star has even offered to pay for all Theo’s medical bills himself to lessen the financial pressure for anyone who is kind enough to adopt him.

“I’m not afraid to admit I’m very emotional when it comes to dogs, but it hit me very hard, like a ton of bricks,” Pete says. “It’s impacted me quite a lot and makes me emotional now thinking about it…if you could meet him and just two minutes with him, he is this big, slobbery angel on Earth.”