Newlyweds Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez seen for first time without £3m ring
Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his new wife Lauren Sanchez stepped out in Venice for the first time since getting married, amid protests from critical anti-capitalists and locals
Newlyweds Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have been spotted for the first time since tying the knot, albeit without Lauren's huge £3million diamond wedding ring. The happy couple marked the third day of their huge wedding celebration this morning, stepping out in Venice together.
They were all smiles as they waved and posed for photos following their 200-guest ceremony, in which they exchanged vows in front of their family and famous pals. But although the new Mrs Bezos debuted her estimated 35 carat diamond ring last night, she was without it today as she made an appearance in the Italian city.
Former journalist Sanchez, 55, and her 61-year-old Amazon founder groom had their ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore Island yesterday (Friday, June 27). The billionaires were surrounded by high-profile guests, with the Kardashians, Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom and Ivanka Trump among some of the attendees.
Rania Al Abdullah, the Queen of Jordan was also in attendance, alongside supermodels and actors. Guests were welcomed to the ceremony by a gospel choir, with the singers performing a rendition of Whitney Houston's Higher Love as the bride and groom entered.
The lavish celebration drew criticism from locals, who threatened to gatecrash the wedding, and displayed messages of disapproval in the city's St Mark's Square. But the show went on, and the couple are gearing up for their third and final evening of celebrations tonight at the Arsenale.
Although most celebrity guests partied into the early hours of Saturday morning, some slipped away early, with Kim and Khloe Kardashian already at the airport to depart the country first thing Saturday morning. Described by some as the 'wedding of the century', eyebrows were raised when Lauren's gift to her guests was branded "shameless".
While Jeff gifted his guests some luxe ViBi Venezia blue velvet slippers, Sanchez pushed the brand that made her husband a billionaire, handing out black open-toe slippers from Amazon. But one journalist was less than impressed with the whole affair, branding Lauren "tacky".
Katie Couric waded in on the last post from Jack Schlossberg, the writer famous for being the nephew of John F. Kennedy Jr. and the daughter of Caroline Kennedy. Schlossberg appeared to have poked fun at Bezos and Sánchez about their wedding celebration in Venice, Italy, this week.
He reposted the cover of Vogue on Friday which showed Lauren in her white lace wedding dress. Schlossberg captioned the photo: "Like I said … vogue." Lauren beamed in the snap, while wearing her dress which featured long sleeves and a figure hugging shape.
The floral lace hugged her hips before fanning out at the knees in a mermaid style. Couric then left a comment where she called the bride "tacky" in a cruel dig.
"Welcome to the eighties — when big hair and conspicuous consumption ruled. Apparently tacky is back," she wrote.
Schlossberg snapped back, replying: "Let's bring back scrunchies." Other Instagram
Another added: "Spot on! Money can't buy you class." A third wrote: "I am here for this kind of commentary."
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Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos caught in steamy clinch in back of Venice water taxi as wedding party rages
and her billionaire husband Jeff Bezos were caught in a steamy embrace as their A-list, pajama-clad guests celebrated the third night of their wedding celebrations. The happy couple looked smitten in the back of a Venice water taxi on Saturday evening as they made their way toward the party. Bezos leaned back toward his wife, appearing to whisper in her ear as she beamed at him. Her arm was wrapped around his neck during the intimate moment. Hours earlier Sanchez was spotted waving to crowds from her balcony, wearing a stunning pink embellished dress for the third and final party of the weekend. The likes of Sydney Sweeney, Orlando Bloom, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Kylie and Kendall Jenner were also seen making their way to the Arsenale area of the city to close out the nuptials. Bezos - the world's second richest person - and the former journalist exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island on Friday. The couple's wedding gala, estimated to cost some $50 million, will culminate with a closing party in a former medieval shipyard. Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga will be among a host of performances at the final event, sources have told the Mail. This live blog has now closed. 22:40 Newlyweds look loved up as they enjoy a private moment in the water taxi The newlyweds looked loved up as they caught a water taxi together. Bezos leaned back and appeared to whisper in Sanchez' ear as she beamed at him, with one arm wrapped around his shoulder. The couple enjoyed the quiet moment as their A-list guests prepared for night three of celebrations: a pajama party. 00:04 Former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful wears funky polka dot pajamas for final celebration British-Ghanaian Enninful, 53, was the first male and first black editor-in-chief of British Vogue, wore a white pajama top with black polka dots, and a chain aroudn his neck, for the party. 22:00 Bill Gates en route to night three celebrations in sleek velvet pajamas Billionaire Bill Gates has left the Hotel Regis en route to night three of celebrations for the Bezos wedding. He is wearing sleek black velvet pajamas for the pajama party. 21:45 Sydney Sweeney wows in all black for pajama party Her long, blonde curls fell over the top of the semi-sheer number as she was guided by staff toward the party. 21:34 Orlando Bloom arrives to pajama party Orlando Bloom shrugged off whispers about his relationship as he arrived at night three of the Bezos wedding celebrations wearing a polka dot pajama set. Bloom wore a 100 percent silk, embroidered Dolce & Gabbana pajama top worth $959 open over a plain black singlet. 21:15 Happily ever after! Lauren and Jeff share a kiss as they ride into the Venetian sunset 21:00 Full look: Jeff and Lauren's third night The stars of the show arrived at their third wedding party on Saturday. Jeff and Lauren Sanchez rounded off their star-studded nuptials with a pajama party for their wedding guests. Amazon founder Jeff wore sleek sunglasses with his all-black look. 20:45 Stormi Webster accompanies mom Kylie One of the smallest Kardashian fasionistas - Stormi Webster - accompanied her mom Kylie Jenner on a boat in Venice, Italy. The young girl was seen wearing a sweet pink Chanel dress as she was helped onto a speed boat, following by her mother. 20:21 Usher poses on a boat in Venice Singer Usher has attended the weekend nuptials in Venice - and photos from social media showed him enjoying the downtime in the floating city. 19:53 Ivanka Trump spotted alongside husband Jared Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, was spotted wearing a black dress alongside her husband Jared Kushner. The couple held hands as they were snapped leaving their hotel. Ivanka had posted on her Instagram hours before showing off her dress for the final event. The 43-year-old wave for the cameras as they left on a water taxi. 19:34 Film producer Brian Grazer appears in leopard pajamas American film producer Brian Grazer appeared for the final evening in leopard print pajamas. The 73-year-old was snapped holding his hands in the air and with his mouth wide open, much to the delight of those around him. He was flanked by Michael Kives, a Hollywood super-connector who laughed as he did so. The pair have been pictured several times together at the event. 19:29 Brooks Nader helped aboard water taxi for final party American model Brooks Nader was spotted being helped aboard a water taxi for the final of the wedding. Her ex, Tom Brady, is also attending the billionaire's extravaganza. 19:28 'Jealous' protesters are slammed as total embarrassments by Venice authorities A Venice council spokesperson described the protest as an 'embarrassment' for the city and labelled those taking part as 'blinded by social envy and resentment.' Describing the march as 'tragicomic' they added: 'Contesting a wedding, any wedding, is already ridiculous in itself. 'But here every limit of common sense has been exceeded: we have descended into the folklore of "No to everything".' 19:19 Kris Jenner and boyfriend Corey Gamble's tense exchange at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding Kris Jenner was looking her best when she showed off her elegant black-and-white dress with her dapper boyfriend Corey Gamble on Friday at Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos ' opulent wedding with Lauren Sánchez. But despite plastering a broad grin on her shockingly youthful face in video showing her and Corey leaving the nuptials on a water taxi, the 69-year-old Kardashian–Jenner family matriarch appeared to have a tense conversation with her beau. And now expert lip-reader Nicola Hickling reveals that Kris appears appeared to be in a hurry to get back to her accommodations and didn't want to wait to share a water taxi with any other A-listers. has requested comment from Jenner's representative but hasn't yet received a response. Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble's tense exchange at Jeff Bezos' wedding Kris Jenner was looking her best with her dapper boyfriend Corey Gamble on Friday at Jeff Bezos' wedding with Lauren Sánchez, but she appeared to have a tense moment on a water taxi. 19:17 Final evening confirmed as post-wedding pajama-themed party According to People, the final evening of the Bezo and Sanchez wedding party is pajama-themed. Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and designer Domenico Dolce were spotted in casual nightwear as they departed for the evening. DiCaprio wore red velvet pajamas underneath a long coat, while Dolce was seen in an open collared black shirt with white piping. 19:15 Kim Kardashian stuns for night three celebrations Kim Kardashian stepped out in a sultry vintage-inspired look for night three of the Sanchez-Bezos wedding in Venice, Italy. 19:03 Paparazzi and locals gawk at happy couple as they float through Venice A flotilla of paparazzi boats followed Jeff and Lauren and other VIPs as they made their way along the lagoon in private water taxis. Tourists in vaporetto water buses or gondolas looked on open mouthed as the boats cut their way across the waves. One local paper even had a live feed and people were able to watch as the photographers hopes of catching a glimpse of the couple and guests stepping out onto the dockside was thwarted by police who blocked the marina entrance with their boats. 18:52 Lauren's glamorous third night look The effervescent bride showed off her final night look - rounding off a weekend of glitz and glamor as she married Amazon mogul Jeff Bezos. Sanchez stepped onto her boat wearing a pink strapless ensemble, with mosaic detailing and a flowy fish-tail bottom. The dress is believed to be an Atelier Versace georgette dress with crystal mesh embroidery and matching dressing gown. 18:46 Leonardo DiCaprio and girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti appear for final night Leonardo DiCaprio was seen in what appeared to be dark red velvet PJ's alongside his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti. The couple, who have been involved with each other since the summer of 2023, were seen boarding a water taxi. Breaking:Lauren Sanchez blows kisses from Venice balcony as she joins husband Jeff Bezos for wedding night three Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez shared a kiss aboard a water taxi as they made their way to close out their wedding celebrations. Sanchez was also pictured waving for the cameras from a balcony as she blew a kiss. 18:34 Breaking:Glamourous celebs descend on Jeff and Lauren's final wedding party in Venice The A-list celebrities gathered for the 3-day wedding event of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were seen making their way to the Arsenale for the finale. Kylie, Kris and Kendall Jenner were spotted climbing aboard water taxis alongside Oprah Winfrey and Usher outside of the Gritti Hotel in Venice. Kendall, 29, wore a bright blue blazer and headress while her mom adorned herself in an all black outfit. Kylie was spotted in a silver top and white skirt. 18:20 Kylie and Kendall join mom Kris for boat trip in Venice 18:10 Lauren Sanchez seen with simple wedding band after tying the knot Lauren Sanchez was seen sporting a slim wedding band on her finger after officially tying the knot with Jeff Bezos on Friday. The couple were snapped ahead of the final celebrations of their nuptials tonight in Venice, as she blew a kiss at the cameras. Despite Bezos' eyewatering wealth, some $231 billion, the newlyweds look to have picked a simply style. 18:03 Kendall Jenner spotting in afternoon attire ahead of finale Kendall Jenner was spotted leaving her Venice hotel earlier this afternoon, ahead of tonights grand finale. The A-list model, 29, wore a black polka dot dress with dark sunglasses as she left the Gritti Hotel in the Italian city. She had been seen the night previously leaving by boat across the city's narrow waterways. 17:36 Lauren and Jeff's hotel just five minutes away from roaring protest Jeff and Lauren's luxury hotel the Aman is just five minutes walk away from the roaring crowds, but it's not thought they heard or saw the march. The route took protestors through the heart of Venice and at one point was enveloped in blue and red smoke flares. The chanting also included offensive slogans such as:'Bezos, Bezos, f**k off' and many also carried inflatable toys. 17:24 'Kisses yes, Bezos no' As the protest wrapped up near the Rialto Bridge, some demonstrators were seen wearing t-shirts reading: 'Kisses yes, Bezos no.' The Spanish word for 'kisses,' is 'besos,' notably similar to the Amazon mogul's surname. In Italian, 'kisses' is 'baci.' Another banner held up read: '55 million dollars spent on the wedding just to get a divorce in three days.' 17:20 Demonstrators hold up obscene banners about Lauren Sanchez Angry protesters took swipes at new bride Lauren Sanchez during their gathering in Venice on Saturday. In a jab against Sanchez's body, one banner in Italian read:'The lagoon has been invaded by plastic. Redo your breasts.' The woman who held up the placard refused to give her name but told Daily Mail:'I'm protesting against the arrogance of wealth and the obscenity of this wedding. 'To come here for three days and spend all this money when there is a cost of living crisis is simply selfish'. 17:16 'Bezos out of the lagoon' Some 700 protesters stormed the narrow streets of Venice to show their discontent at billionaire Bezos picking the historic location for his nuptials. 'Bezos out of the lagoon,' demonstrators screamed as they paraded with flags and let off red flares. 17:03 Breaking:Irate protesters scream anti-fascist chants near Rialto Bridge... while Lauren and Jeff get ready for night three Large protests have erupted across Venice as the lavish wedding celebration of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez draws to a close. Protestors could be heard singing anti-fascist songs and wartime partisan tunes including 'Bella Ciao', as they held up banners decrying the wedding. The protestors were made up of left wing and environmental groups as well as social forums and one group held a banner saying: 'Money cannot buy style'. Organisers said: 'Hello Venice ! It's great to see you here in such large numbers. We are here to protest at a luxury wedding that has held our city hostage for three days.' Just before 5pm protesters began to gather on the steps of Santa Lucia railway station carrying banners and waving inflatable crocodiles. The protestors numbered 500 as it started, but had reached over 700 as it reached the Rialto Bridge. Police had to be positioned at various junctions along the mile route to deal with the large crowd. It took protestors around 90 minutes to walk the mile long route pausing every few minutes to listen to various speakers. 16:34 Police patrol waters near Arsenale Venetian police were seen patrolling the waterways surrounding the Arsenale ahead of tonight's closing event. The large police presence is likely due to ongoing protests taking place in the city due to the wedding of Bezos and Sanchez, as well as the star studded guest list. 16:24 Newly weds make their way back to their hotel to close out nuptials Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez were seen enjoying a boat ride back to their hotel, the Aman Venice, as their three-day wedding ceremony draws to an end. Sanchez waved for waiting cameras while Bezos smiled as the two prepare to close out the event. 16:10 Daily Mail's Nick Pisa reports live from the protest in Venice 15:56 Organizers speak out as protests kick off As protests started to form in Venice, organizers told the crowds: 'Hello Venice. It's great to see you here in such large numbers. 'We are here to protest at a luxury wedding that has held our city hostage for three days.' Tourists at pavement cafes watched on as the demonstrators made their way along the tight streets with police at the head of the cortège. Many sung Italian anti fascist songs and wartime partisan songs including 'Bella Ciao'. 15:50 Sydney Sweeney seen walking Venice with recently single Orlando Bloom Sydney Sweeney was spotted enjoying a stroll through the sun-soaked streets of Venice with Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady on Saturday. The White Lotus actress, 27, and The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 48, had been two of many A-listers who flew across from the States to attend the lavish wedding of Jeff Bezos, 61, and his now-wife Lauren Sanchez, 55. Following the ceremony and a star-studded rave into the early hours of Saturday morning, the pair took some time to explore the scenic streets of Venice together on Saturday with Tom, 47, who Sydney fuelled romance rumours with. Wearing her blonde locks down, Sydney slipped into a floral dress for the morning stroll before adding a few inches to her frame in a pair of red high heels. Orlando sported an all-black outfit consisting of a pair of very short shorts, a Stussy T-shirt, a co-ordinated cap and some shades, while Tom cut an equally casual figure. Sydney - who sparked romance rumours with Tom after they were spotted chatting at a bar - was reportedly the 'most sought after' celebrity in Venice. A source told MailOnline: 'Sydney apparently is the most sought-after person to be around at the Bezos wedding. 'Everyone wants to talk to her and every guy that has been in her presence has talked about how stunning she is in real life.' Orlando Bloom and Sydney Sweeney enjoy a stroll through Venice The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 48, and The White Lotus actress, 27, had been two of many A-listers to attend the lavish wedding of Jeff Bezos , 61, and his now-wife Lauren Sanchez , 55. 15:19 Protestors start to gather ahead of Arsenale finale Just before 5pm protesters began to gather on the steps of Santa Lucia railway station carrying banners and waving inflatable crocodiles. Organised by the No Space For Bezos group some also carried boxes with the Amazon slogan on the saying 'Ordered, Shipped, Delivered, Rejected'. The protestors were made up of left wing and environmental groups as well as social forums and one group held a banner saying:'Money cannot buy style'. Another banner read: '55 million dollars spent on the wedding just to get a divorce in three days'. Several anti fascist groups were also present and others waved multi coloured peace banners as music blared from speakers. All the while police in riot gear kept a watchful eye on the demonstrators who had originally planned to march to St Mark's Square but the route was now ending at the Rialto Bridge. Protestors numbered around 500 and one banner in Italian read: 'The lagoon has been invaded by plastic redo your breasts'. The woman who held up the placard refused to give her name but told the Daily Mail:'I'm protesting against the arrogance of wealth and the obscenity of this wedding. 'To come here for three days and spend all this money when there is a cost of living crisis is simply selfish'. Demonstrators chanted: 'Bezos out of the lagoon' as they began their march towards the Rialto Bridge just before 5.30pm 15:17 Kris Jenner and boyfriend Corey Gamble look smitten as they enjoy day out in Venice Kris Jenner and her boyfriend Corey Gamble looked smitten as they were spotted in Venice on Saturday after Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding. There is set to be another star-studded party on Saturday night, and ahead of the bash, Kris, 69, and Corey, 44, were spotted enjoying some downtime together. The Kardashian matriarch looked effortlessly chic in a black lace long-sleeve dress, paired with bold gold jewellery and classic black sunglasses. Corey complemented her style in a sleek black shirt, dark sunglasses, and a tan suede hat. The couple appeared in high spirits, blowing kisses and waving at onlookers as they hopped on a water taxi. Kris Jenner, 69, and boyfriend Corey Gamble look smitten in Venice Some of the biggest names in Hollywood flocked to the northern Italian city this week for the wedding of the Amazon billionaire, 61, and his journalist partner, 55. 15:10 Kylie Jenner enjoys 'pool day' after wedding ceremony Kylie Jenner has shared a jaw dropping picture of herself lounging on a boat after seemingly leaving Venice on Saturday to enjoy a 'pool day'. The 27-year-old business woman and social media personality stunned in a black bikini top as she captioned her selfie: 'pool day'. The night before she was photographed being helped onto a water taxi as she headed to the ceremony while wearing a blue and silver gown. The plunging ensemble, which left her ample assets on full display, boasted little black bows on the straps. Kylie Jenner and sister Kendall turn heads for pool party in Venice A host of Hollywood's biggest stars flocked to the northern Italian city this week for the wedding of the Amazon billionaire, 61, and his journalist partner, 55. 15:05 Kim and Khloe Kardashian seen leaving Venice on Saturday morning 14:58 Usher spotted leaving Harry's Bar with wife Jennifer Goicoechea R&B crooner Usher was spotted leaving Harry's Bar on Saturday afternoon alongside his wife Jennifer Goicoechea. The two had been pictured the night previously as they boarded a water taxi for the wedding ceremony. Usher cut a dapper look in a pale purple suit as he clutched a cigar while beeming for the awaiting cameras. Bezos and Sanchez seem to be huge fans of Usher, as they were spotted dancing front row at one of his concerts back in December on Lauren's birthday. Breaking:Jeff's response to journalists hounding Lauren morning after wedding Jeff Bezos gave a deflected response to Italian journalists hounding his new bride Lauren Sanchez over the local protests that were planned against their Venetian wedding. As they left their hotel, the happy couple, surrounded by bodyguards, were asked by one reporter: 'What do you think about the protests, Jeff?' Wife Lauren, 55, ignored the question - while the Amazon founder, 61, took the higher ground and said: 'Love you guys.' Newlywed Jeff then blew a kiss to the ground of Italian reporters. About a dozen Venetian organizations — including housing advocates, anti-cruise ship campaigners and university groups — are protesting under the banner 'No Space for Bezos'. The banner is a play on words referring to his space exploration company Blue Origin and the bride's recent space flight. 14:12 Police on jet skis arrive at Arsenale ahead of closing party Police on jet skis were seen arriving at the Arsenale area of the Italian city on Saturday afternoon. The three-day gala will culimate with a closing party in the former medieval shipyard where Lady Gaga and Elton John are expected to perform. 14:04 Huma Abedin spotted amongst wedding revelers Former Hillary Clinton staffer Huma Abedin was spotted leaving The Gritti Palace on Saturday as she headed to the wedding of Bezos and Sanchez. The 49-year-old was seen standing alongside comedian Jerry Seinfeld as she prepared to board a water taxi to the wedding. Huma recently tied the knot in the Hamptons as she wed financier scion Alex Soros,39, son of billionaire philanthropist George Soros. 13:55 Newlyweds spotted entering Harry's Bar 13:38 WORST dressed celebs spotted FEMAIL has rounded up the worst dressed celebs spotted so far today as many head home and others emerge looking worse for wear. WORST dressed celebs spotted following Lauren and Jeff wedding Here, FEMAIL has rounded up the worst dressed celebs spotted so far today as many head home and others emerge looking worse for wear. 13:29 BEST dressed celebs emerge While the main ceremony is now behind them, the wedding is far from over as there's another extravagant party set for tonight in the Arsenale area of the city. Here, FEMAIL has taken a look at the best dressed celebs who have stepped out this morning ahead of the latest event in the multi-day extravaganza. BEST dressed celebs emerge after Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos wedding Here, FEMAIL has taken a look at the best dressed celebs who have stepped out this morning ahead of the latest event in the multi-day extravaganza. 13:10 Revealed: Dancers who will perform tonight A team of 30 young women from dance and performance group Nu'Art will perform for the Bezos's tonight. The group performs quirky routines, such as fire breathing and have even dressed as lampshades for a Vogue party previously. They say about their performances: 'Our wedding projects are really different one from each other, but they are all successful because of our ability to perceive our customers' ideas and to conceive and realize for them a special event which will astonish every guests, even the one have seen everything.' Exclusive by Molly Clayton These images show performers from Nu'Art 12:48 US singer Usher and his wife Jennifer Goicoechea arrive at Harry's Bar for lunch 12:40 Sanchez ditches her new $10million 35-carat diamond ring Earlier, newlyweds Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos were seen for the fist time since their wedding. Sanchez debuted a brilliant-white diamond estimated at 35 carats and worth $10million for the occasion last night. But, in today's outing the ring was nowhere to be seen. Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos step out for first time since wedding Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have been spotted for the first time since tying the knot in what has been referred to as 'the wedding of the century'. 12:18 Bezos helps wife onto boat 12:06 Breaking:Couple spotted for first time since wedding A short while ago, Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez were pictured for the first time since their wedding. The newlyweds smiled and waved at cameras as they stepped out in the city today. The 61-year-old Amazon founder was pictured helping his wife onto a water taxi shortly before they arrived hand in hand for lunch at Harry's Bar. Lauren wore a stylish black dress with a large Panama hat while her husband cut a more casual figure in a brown t-shirt and chinos. Once frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Charlie Chaplin and even George Clooney more recently - Harry's Bar is one of the most famous bars in the Italian canal city. 11:59 Jordan's Queen Rania Al Abdullah departs Venice Jordan's Queen Rania Al Abdullah was spotted at Venice airport a short while ago. 11:56 Ivanka Trump spotted Ivanka Trump has been seen stepping onto a boat today after attending the star-studded wedding last night. Ivanka and her family have paid a visit to the Galleria dell Accademia to see the iconic Leonardo Da Vinci drawing Vitruvian Man which is on limited viewing until next month. 11:18 Gridlocked gondolas: Rush hour in Venice on final day of festivities 10:50 Fireworks seen shooting into the sky after wedding 10:46 Protests planned for today Posters advertising a protest today have been put up near the Venetian Arsenal - the venue for tonight's party. It comes as activists have united under the banner 'No Space for Bezos' to protest the nuptials. Protesters are drawing attention to overtourism, high housing costs and the constant threat of climate-induced flooding in the lagoon city. This image, taken today, shows a poster advertising a protest this evening Pictured: Protesters display a banner reading 'No Space for Bezos!' on the Rialto Bridge during a protest against Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' upcoming wedding to Lauren Sanchez being held in Venice, Italy, June 13, 2025 10:34 Preparations underway for tonight's party at the Venetian Arsenal 10:26 Inside luxury villa where the couple will have lunch tomorrow Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are expected to leave Venice Sunday night. But before they leave, the couple will have lunch on the island of Torcello where there is only one luxury villa. Torcello is a sparsely populated island at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon. The only villa on the Venetian isle of Torcello, includes a pool and huge garden with the ruins of the ancient Romanesque church of San Giovanni. They are expected to have a last intimate lunch with their closest friends and family. During their trip they will also be visiting the island of Murano which is renowned for its long tradition of glass-making and has provided the glasswear for their celebrations. The villa on Torcello has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and large outdoor pool with a diving board. It also comes with a butler on request and costs around £250,000 to rent for a week. 10:16 Guests party into early hours Last night's celebrations went on until 2am when guests left in a flotilla of water taxis. However, the Kardashian's didn't stay until the end and were seen making an early departure. Pictured: Kim Kardashian and sister Khloe spotted on a boat as they make an early 09:45 Pictured: Fireworks light up the sky after wedding Fireworks were seen lighting up the night sky after the wedding yesterday. The stunning display began at around 11pm and lasted roughly 5 minutes. 09:42 Guests arrive on San Giorgio island for final day of festivities 09:19 Von Furstenburg's wedding gift These two carved wooded oarlocks or forcole were a gift from close friend and Belgian fashion designer Diana Von Furstenberg. They were crafted by a local carpenter and are very iconic to Venice gondolas. Diana Von Furstenberg arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport ahead of the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez on June 24, 2025 in Venice, Italy 09:08 Tonight's closing party plan Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez, flush from their Venice wedding ceremony on Friday, are gearing up for the final day of partying in the lagoon city with scores of celebrity guests from media, fashion and show business. The three-day gala, estimated to cost some $50 million, will culminate on Saturday evening with the closing party in a former medieval shipyard where Lady Gaga and Elton John are expected to perform. The party was originally meant to be held in the city centre at the sumptuous Scuola Grande della Misericordia but was moved to the Arsenale. Protesters rallying against the couple's nuptials claimed victory after their threats of disruption reportedly prompted a change of wedding venues. The group, No Space for Bezos, called for a blockade on canals around the 14th-century Scuola Grande della Misericordia. The protests against Bezos are the latest of many to flare in Venice in recent years, with residents railing against damage caused by gigantic cruise ships and the pressures of overtourism, which they say is destroying the quality of life for locals. Pictured: The former shipyard of the Venice Arsenal, where the party tonight will be held A general view of the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, the original party venue 08:50 Guest's luxurious goody bags Goodie bags were gifted to guests and left in their hotel rooms. They contained delicious baked goods from the 1879 Rosa Salva Bakery, a local business Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez have chosen to cater for some of their wedding events this week. Wanting to invest in local Venician businesses, the billionaire is using the artisanal bakery to design treats that will be handed out in goody bags for the attendees. Staff at the bakery told me guests can expect the traditional bites they offer including the bussola buttery biscuit, known to locals as the fisherman's staple. The doughnut shaped biscuit is lemon flavoured. The other is Zaletti cookies, a cornmeal and raisin flat and round cookie and dates back to Venice for many years. The bakery sells them for €1.80 each. Andrea Rosa, Venice's oldest bakery began as 'home delivered meals' for the cities most luxury villas and homes. When his son inherited it from him in 1879, he transformed it into the pastry shop it is now famously known as. It's been in the family for six generations since. No menu, the choice of cakes and pastries on offer is overwhelming. With most disguised as something they're not, like strawberry flavoured cakes in the shape and style of a tomato. Sat in there for just an hour, the queue was constantly out of the door with multiple locals, and tourists coming in and out. It's understood for the wedding, 80 per cent of goods will be sourced locally. 08:37 Pretty in pink! Khloe Kardashian shares new images of her striking wedding look Khloe Kardashian has shared striking new images of her stunning wedding outfit. She can be seen wearing a low-cut pink sequined gown with feathered aleeves and a diamond necklace. 08:29 Best dressed celebs BEST dressed celebrities at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding The Billionaire tech mogul is marrying the former journalist in a lavish ceremony attended by the Kardashians, Oprah, and Leonardo DiCaprio. 07:59 Kardashians leave Venice The Kardashian sisters left Venice this morning after partying with Bezos and Sanchez and a slew of other stars. They were some of the first to leave the party last night and they are the first to leave the city. The sisters appeared to be FaceTiming their children throughout the festivities, so parenting duties might have had something to do with them leaving before the final day of festivities. Pictured: Kim Kardashian wears dark glasses and holds a drink as she arrives at the airport Khloe Kardashian cuts a sporty figure and carries a yoga mat as she arrives for her flight this morning 07:54 Bleary-eyed Kardashian sisters' early departure Kardashians bail on Bezos-Sanchez wedding as guest gift is revealed Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos' lavish wedding reception seemingly came to a close as A-listers slipped away from the glittering celebration under the cover of night in Italy. 07:43 Celebs spotted last night Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos ' lavish wedding reception came to a close in the early hours of Saturday. The 61-year-old Amazon founder and 55-year-old former journalist exchanged vows in front of almost 200 VIP guests on San Giorgio Maggiore island on Friday. Following the ultra-exclusive ceremony, the billionaire couple threw a star-studded reception attended by countless A-listers. From Ellie Goulding to Kris Jenner, here are some of the celebrities spotted on their way to or coming home from the 'wedding of the century' last night. British singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding smiles and points at a camera as she leaves the Gritti Palace Hotel on the wedding day of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with Lauren Sanchez, in Venice yesterday Oprah Winfrey leaves Gritti Palace, on the second day of the wedding festivities Italian model Vittoria Ceretti sits on a boat after leaving the hotel Sarah Jane (blue dress), sister of model Brooks Nader (pink dress) is helped onto a boat after departing the hotel Kim and Khloe Kardashian are spotted on a boat as they make an early exit from Jeff Bezos's wedding in Venice Kris Jenner wore a stunning gown as she left the hotel to attend the event 07:20 Wedding secrets revealed ALISON BOSHOFF reveals the secrets of the outrageous Bezos wedding There will be around 200 millionaires and billionaires, gathering on long tables in the vineyard, amid 'Presidential-level security', to attend the Bezos's wedding. 07:12 Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to throw final celebration tonight Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding celebrations in Venice. In what was described as the 'wedding the century', the billionaire Amazon founder and former journalist exchanged vows in front of star-studded guests in an intimate ceremony last night. Celebrations continued long into the night with bleary eyed celebrities spotted heading back to their hotels in the city. And the fun is far from over with a grand finale planned for tonight to bring to an end three days of celebrations in the Italian city which has attracted plenty of glitz, glamour and controversy. Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you live updates plus the most eye catching pictures and videos from Venice with our correspondents Nick Pisa and Molly Clayton on the ground in Venice plus our team of reporters in London and New York.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Free coffee, cut-price theatre tickets and birthday upgrades: 42 genius ways to beat the system
The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. 1 If you sign up to secret seat-filler sites such as Show Film First and Central Ticket, you'll be alerted to last-minute tickets at rock-bottom prices – sometimes nothing at all. The only catch is you have to keep this on the quiet to maintain the illusion that performances are packed with paying punters. 2 Want to read the New Yorker article everyone's talking about, but don't have a subscription? You can do so for nothing with many library memberships and the Libby app, which gives access to pretty much every magazine you can think of, with no loan limits. Libby and a similar app, BorrowBox, also lend thousands of ebooks and audiobooks; read or listen on your phone, iPad, Kindle or laptop. 3 An underutilised benefit of Amazon Prime is Prime Reading: hundreds of free Kindle books and audiobooks are included, as are magazines such as Grazia and Radio Times. 4 Bagging tickets for concerts and festivals has never been more competitive. Tools such as Visualping alert you as soon as a webpage has changed – so you can be first in the queue when seats are released. It's also handy for securing a table at hot restaurants, knowing when a sought-after pair of trainers is back in stock, or alerting yourself to events such as the Eurostar flash sale. 5 Don't let theatres fool you into thinking restricted view seats are a false economy. For instance, the end-aisle seats for Hamilton in London's West End are consistently rated five stars by users of the site SeatPlan, who report that, as Hamilton is primarily performed at the centre of the stage, you won't miss any key plot points or songs. SeatPlan collates hundreds of thousands of seat-view photos, so you can check the vantage point before you buy. 6 You should rarely be paying full price for the latest blockbuster either. Sky Cinema customers get free Vue tickets, Amazon Prime members get discounted Odeon tickets, Tesco Clubcard holders can spend their points at Cineworld, and Lidl Plus members get membership of the Cinema Society, with 40% off many screenings. Buy your insurance through and Meerkat Movies gives you two-for-one on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at a range of cinemas, including Picturehouse. 7 'JustWatch is a brilliant tool that shows the different places you can stream shows and films, and how much they might cost you,' says Francesca Steele, culture critic and writer of the Trash Culture newsletter. 'For example, you might assume you can only watch the latest season of The Last of Us if you have a Sky subscription. But the JustWatch site shows that you could also sign up to a free seven-day trial on Now, or buy the series on Apple TV.' 8 The Dice app lists cultural events in cities across the UK, which you can sort by price. It's a quick way to discover free or affordable gigs, live comedy, podcast recordings or new art exhibitions. 9 Work out when the hardest-to-book restaurants open their reservations and set an alarm (or use an AI monitoring tool). For example, Gymkhana in London's Mayfair releases tables at 6am two months in advance; for Tom Kerridge's The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, it's six months to the date you'd like to book. Sign up to restaurants' email lists too: some offer early access to loyal fans. L'Enclume, Simon Rogan's three-Michelin-star restaurant in Cartmel, Cumbria, sends priority booking invitations and cancellations via its newsletter. 10 Follow chefs, restaurants or front of house on social media to hear about last-minute tables. Oisín Rogers, landlord of the much-hyped and usually booked-solid Devonshire pub in Soho, London, has been known to announce cancellations on his Instagram Stories. 11 Sushi chains Itsu and Wasabi sell off whatever is left from the day at 50% off 30 minutes before closing. 12 Before you book a restaurant, check for money-off vouchers on the new breed of restaurant discount apps, says Amelia Murray, money expert at 'There are a few to choose from, including TheFork, which is free and offers discounts of up to 50% off your meal, plus you can earn points every time you use it, which can be redeemed against future bookings.' Or try EatClub, co-founded by Marco Pierre White, 'as a way for restaurants to optimise spare capacity and generate predictable revenue'; it has just launched in London and offers discounts of up to 50% off your bill. 13 Get wise to 'menu engineering'. This is a whole area of expertise that helps restaurateurs boost their profits, and it pays not to be taken in by the tricks. 'The top-right corner of a menu is prime real estate,' says Ben Floyd, a chef and the managing director of Lumière Consultancy. 'That's where your eyes tend to land first, so you'll often find the most profitable dish there. You'll rarely see pound signs any more – they remind people they're spending money. And often there'll be a 'decoy' dish – something expensive to make the rest of the menu seem more reasonably priced.' 14 Before booking any element of your holiday via a third-party site, have a look at what you could get by going direct. On flights, online travel agents often charge more for seats or bags than the airline itself. As for hotels, Zanna van Dijk, a travel and fitness content creator, always books direct: 'You often get better rates, they might throw in breakfast and you'll have a higher chance of an upgrade on arrival.' 15 Speaking of upgrades, if it's a significant event – a milestone birthday, say, or a honeymoon, or if you just want to try your luck – email your hotel at the time of booking to say why you're looking forward to your stay and ask for an upgrade. If you don't ask, you probably won't get. 16 The same hotel room may be significantly cheaper booked on a mobile phone rather than a laptop, but you'll be none the wiser unless you check. Sites such as offer mobile-only deals; some hotels will give bigger discounts if you download their app or join their mailing list. 17 That's not to say that boutique travel agents don't earn their commission, especially if you're travelling with kids. Francesca Collinson of Tiny Travelship, a family-focused travel agency and hotel directory, says, 'We have the insider intel on when luxury hotels have sales running, when the best time of year to book flights is – 11 months in advance. We can unlock free transfers, free creche sessions, or complimentary upgrades to room and board.' 18 Hiring a car for a foreign trip? Go to the destination country's website. Research from Which? found that, in the US for example, booking the same car through Hertz's site there rather than cut the cost by £347. In general, just replace the end of the url with the relevant country's top-level domain. 19 A local bus can be a cheap way to see the tourist sites. Lonely Planet rates the 101 that runs along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, towards the scenic rock stacks making up the Twelve Apostles. I rate the number 7, down the hill from the Tuscan hilltop city of Fiesole into Florence, Italy, which costs less than €2. 20 Before you travel overseas, open a Monzo or Starling bank account if you don't already have one. You can do it with a quick selfie video and a picture of your passport, and you'll get a card in the post within a week, which you can use for all holiday spending, free of currency conversion charges. 21 Luton airport lets you skip queues, without any cost, by prebooking security. But don't automatically pay in advance for fast-track access at all other airports: for example, Manchester and Stansted will let you buy it on the day. 22 When buying any item online, try adding it to your basket then sleeping on it before you hit pay. Not only is this the best way to reel yourself back from a late-night emotional spending binge, but you will very likely wake up to a discount code in your email inbox from the retailer who wants you to complete the purchase. 23 Add the Honey tool (powered by PayPal) to your browser, such as Safari, and it will alert you when you visit a website where you can use a discount code or get cashback on your purchase. Coupert, an AI-powered shopping assistant available on Google Chrome, automatically tracks prices of products and tells users when discounts are available. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion 24 'Type into ChatGPT: I have a loyalty card (use any example you want). Are there any hidden benefits I can use here, such as double-points days, referral bonuses or rewards?' advises Harriet Meyer, consumer journalist and creator of AI for media. 'I found I had £50 worth of Nectar points I didn't know I was entitled to. Or try, 'I'm buying XX. What's the best combination of cashback sites and discount codes to maximise savings?'' You could also upload an image of your supermarket shop and ask how you can save money on your food bills. 25 Supermarkets have taken the obvious expiry dates off fruit and veg to reduce food waste. But if you're buying food and you would like it to last for as long as possible, you can hack their codes. According to Which?, at Asda and Tesco, look for a letter followed by a number: 'A' is January, 'B' is February, 'C' is March, while the number is the day of the month. For example, the best-before date of an item with the code 'I27' is 27 September. Sainsbury's codes begin with 'J' and end with 'S', standing for J Sainsbury, and contain the date in the middle. So the best-before date of an item with the code 'J0910S' is 9 October. 26 As former operations director with butchers The Ginger Pig, Lynsey Coughlan recommends buying meat on the bone, which is always cheaper, to save money when cooking at home. 'If you buy chicken breasts, you're more or less paying for the whole bird, and you can use the carcass for soup and the thighs for curry. The same goes for any kind of meat. Ask your butcher to bone it out, and keep the bones for stock.' Sausages can be a cheaper substitute for mince. 'With Italian sausage, you've already got the perfect fat balance, you've got all the seasoning to make a proper ragu and it's a time saver, too.' 27 The packaging for many household products seems designed to make it impossible to use every last drop. That's why everyone needs a tube-squeezer key (for toothpaste, moisturiser, puree; try Lakeland) and a foam pump bottle, which reduces liquid soap use by turning it into foam (try Muji). 28 If you take at least five empties to be recycled at Boots – these have to be packaging you can't recycle at home, such as mixed metal and plastics, or old mascara wands – then spend £10, you'll receive 500 Advantage Card points (worth £5). 29 Price tags are not set in stone. The thought may make you shudder, but you can haggle at many high-street shops. Martin Lewis reports that a member of staff at a big DIY store told him that if anyone asked for a discount, they would automatically give them 10% off. Of those who dared to try, 57% of people got a discount at B&Q, 49% at Currys and 38% at Waitrose, according to a survey a few years ago by Money Saving Expert. 30 Monitor Vinted or eBay when there's a popular beauty subscription box or Advent calendar on sale. You can pick up a bargain when people resell unopened makeup or perfume that doesn't suit them. Last year that included dozens of Le Labo Rose rollerball perfumes, from Liberty's Beauty Advent calendar, for £20 or so (they're £78 new). 31 Shops discard skincare, hair care or makeup products when external packaging is damaged or opened, even if the product is untouched. Sites such as This is Beauty and Boop buy them up and sell them on, often at a 70% discount, to avoid landfill. The product is quality-checked and it's made clear what is wrong. 32 It's frustrating that with some bills – water and council tax, for example – it's impossible to shop around. Martyn James, a consumer-rights expert, says there is one way to ease the pain of your council tax payments, 'and it's so simple, you'll kick yourself. Almost all of the local authorities in the UK will bill you over 10 months, so you get February and March for free each year. But you can ask your council to spread the payments over 12 months instead. If you're paying £1,800 a year, then over 10 months you pay £180 per month. But over 12, you pay £150.' When it comes to water, if you have the same number or more rooms than people living in your house, a meter will most probably save you money. This is because you're being charged for the actual water used rather than an estimate based on the rateable value of your property. Look on your water company's website for water-saving gadgets; some are free. A tap aerator can reduce water consumption by up to 50%. 33 Before paying for software – or signing up for trials you might forget to cancel – look for the open-source alternative. Gimp is the free rival to Adobe Photoshop; Audacity lets you record, edit and manipulate audio files; and KeePass is a free, open-source password manager. 34 The best deals on mobile contracts are available from smaller companies that use the same infrastructure as the big four, such as Lebara (on Vodafone), or 1p Mobile (EE). Both score higher in Which? customer satisfaction ratings, too. You'll feel extra smug on holiday: while three of the big four now have roaming charges in the EU on their standard packages, many of these small companies don't. 35 University libraries are peaceful but vibrant co-working spaces, at a fraction of the cost of a WeWork. The University of Manchester, for instance, offers annual community membership for free, with access to its 2,000 study spaces and guest wifi, and it's open into the evening. Members of the public can get reference access to UCL libraries from £7 a day, £30 a month or £200 a year – less than the cost of just one month at many private co-working offices – giving access to study space across all campuses in London, including Senate House, as well as the subsidised student canteen. 36 Buy discounted gift cards online, or through cashback websites such as TopCashback. You can then use them to pay for your normal shopping, services such as Spotify and Uber, food prep services like HelloFresh, and most supermarkets and chain coffee shops. It's a faff, but will work out a little cheaper as long as you don't forget to spend them. 37 Comparison sites are constantly competing for business, so they offer generous freebies. 'I got a £20 Sainsbury's voucher and a monthly free coffee at Greggs when I bought car insurance via says Clare Seal, a financial coach and presenter of the podcast Help Me, I'm Poor. She also rates the app Sprive, which lets you overpay your mortgage using cashback from everyday spending, 'potentially knocking years off your term'. 38 Don't pay for mobile data you don't need. Switching on low data mode on your phone saves battery life, but also bills, if you have a low-data package, by reducing how much you're using. Adjusting your app settings to lower the default video quality and turning off auto-play on social media helps, too. 39 Got a parking ticket? If a car park operator is not a member of the British Parking Association (BPA) or the International Parking Community (IPC) and they leave a ticket on your car, they can't access your details from the DVLA. Citizens Advice says you can choose to do nothing, if it's a private parking firm, as it's a civil rather than a criminal matter. 40 The best interest rates on savings often fall away after a year and providers bank on their customers not having time to shop around. By signing up to a platform such as Raisin UK you can easily move your money between different accounts when rates fall or rise, without having to fill out new application forms each time. 41 If you open a bank account with a subscription fee jointly with a partner, you can both take advantage of add-ons, such as mobile phone and travel insurance, for no extra monthly cost. 42 Check if you can access financial advice through your employee benefit scheme for the whole family. One money coach says that she offers the opportunity for employees to bring a partner to one-on-one coaching sessions, free – though hardly anyone takes her up on it.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Surprising 'banned' ingredients in Royal Family kitchens
Former royal chef Darren McGrady - who cooked for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Prince William - has revealed which ingredients were often 'banned' from the kitchen for certain family members They may dine on golden platters with silver cutlery, but when it comes to what actually went into the food at Buckingham Palace, there were some surprising red lines set by senior members of the Royal Family. According to a former royal chef who spent over a decade cooking for the late Queen Elizabeth II and her family, Her Majesty had very particular culinary preferences - and strong-smelling ingredients didn't make the cut. 'The Queen didn't like garlic or strong onions, viewing them as antisocial,' former royal chef Darren McGrady told Heart Bingo. 'So we didn't use garlic in her meals.' It wasn't a hard-and-fast royal law, but it might as well have been. That meant classics like garlic bread or spiced curries were off the menu — at least for the Queen. But not everyone agreed with her tastes. ' Prince Philip, however, loved garlic and would have it at his dinner parties,' the chef added, hinting at a more flavourful divide in royal dinner preferences. The Queen may have ruled over an empire, but her taste buds were famously down-to-earth. 'She was very frugal, likely due to her wartime upbringing,' the chef said. Lobster, foie gras and caviar were reserved for state banquets only. On regular days, the monarch was more than happy with comfort food. 'We cooked meals like cottage pie.' Breakfast was also surprisingly basic. 'The Queen's breakfast was at 9am, served in her room. She'd help herself to cereal from a Tupperware container - especially Special K - even though there were 20 chefs available to cook anything,' the chef recalled. That same restraint didn't apply to her sweet tooth. 'She loved dark chocolate, especially anything over 60 percent cocoa. Any dessert with chocolate on the menu was sure to be chosen,' the chef shared. Her birthday cake was a rich chocolate ganache recipe passed down from Queen Victoria's chef. Prince William, it seems, inherited the craving. 'When I worked for the Queen, William loved dark chocolate and asked for chocolate ice cream.' While the Queen avoided garlic, she didn't shy away from other ingredients people wrongly assume were forbidden. 'The idea that the Queen didn't eat seafood while traveling isn't true - we regularly cooked scallops and shrimp for her,' the chef said. Other royals had their own tastes. 'Prince Charles, now King Charles, was the most adventurous. He brought organic food into the royal kitchens long before it became mainstream,' the chef recalled. He also introduced Mediterranean and Italian fare, even foraging wild mushrooms at Sandringham for the chefs to cook. But when it came to guests, there were no custom orders. 'During my 11 years with the Queen, we didn't have a single vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-intolerant guest,' the chef said. 'If you dined with the Queen, you ate what the Queen ate. If you didn't like it, you'd stop for a McDonald's on the way home.' And yes, even royals sometimes did stop for fast food. Princess Diana once cancelled lunch plans for young William and Harry, saying: 'I'm taking them out.' When asked where, she replied: 'McDonald's.' The chef protested: 'I can do burgers better than McDonald's,' to which Diana quipped, 'I know that Darren, but they want the toys in the Happy Meal.'
