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Love Island fans praise show bosses for never-before-seen hidden camera twist as three new bombshells head on solo dates in HUGE cliffhanger

Love Island fans praise show bosses for never-before-seen hidden camera twist as three new bombshells head on solo dates in HUGE cliffhanger

Daily Mail​14 hours ago

Love Island fans praised show bosses for the never-before-seen hidden camera twist during Friday's episode.
The ITV2 show was rocked by three stunning bombshell girls - as they crash boys' night before heading on solo dates in a huge cliffhanger - with the existing ladies watching on a secret camera to see how they react.
As day dawned in the villa, Harry got a text, saying: 'Boys, clear your schedules and get ready to leave the vila! #brotime #beersandbants.'
The lads were ecstatic, excited for the boys' night ahead - but the evening was not without fun for the girls either.
Walking into the garden, they were stunned to see a massive screen, allowing them to hear exactly what their partners were saying about them.
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For the first time in worldwide Love Island history, the girls watched exactly what the boys get up to as it happens - and the lads had no idea.
As they gradually worked out the nature of the set-up, seeing and hearing the boys talking on the enormous screen, an astonished Meg said: 'F*** off!'
Alima added: 'We'll get to see how they act!'
Fans were ecstatic to see producers were shaking things up from previous years, with one penning on X: 'Okay Love Island UK, you've redeemed yourself, this is what we've been waiting for';
'Producers are on JOB cause this is amazing! It's giving post card era';
'And that's how you do it producers stepping their game up'
What's worse is the lads' hangout was soon interrupted by three brand new bombshell girls - Emily, Malisha and Yasmin.
Megan shouted, 'There's three of them!', as Harry, on-screen, asked the newbies: 'Are you coming back with us?'
Malisha replied: 'Of course I am!'
The new ladies wasted no time getting to know the boys, with Yasmin saying: 'Tell us what your situation is in the villa at the moment.'
With the lads blissfully ignorant of the fact they were being watched, they did not hold back with their answers.
Malisha, 24, a teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, has a very clear idea of the kind of guy she is looking for: 'A tall, dark, handsome man.
'He has to be very tall. I'm 5ft7/5ft8. I want to be able to wear heels and feel feminine. He has to be funny, but not too funny; I have to be the funniest.
'I want someone that's caring and a bit loving, but then I like someone that can give me a bit of rude banter. I like to be a bit cheeky.
'I like nice teeth. Someone who's calm, but not too nonchalant. Someone that's really loving and is all about me.
'They need to know what they want. I like a determined man who is like, "I want you and I'm coming for you".'
The bombshell is determined to find love in the villa: 'If I want it, I'm going to get it. I always get what I want. I'm an only child, so of course I'm going to get what I want.'
Commercial banking executive Yasmin, 24, from London, does not have quite so many requirements, sharing: 'I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter.'
Meanwhile, she is immediately put off by any man who is 'stingy'.
Yasmin has many self-professed strengths to offer: 'Flirting. I'd definitely say it's all in the eyes.'
And, more unusually: 'I can make a really realistic cat sound...'
Emily, 24, an insurance development executive from Aberdare, Wales, has a clear vision for her time on the Island: 'Someone with emotional intelligence for one.
'Someone who is really confident but not cocky. They can hold a room, communicate… oh, and biceps!'
She is ultimately looking for a real sweetheart, adding: 'I want someone who is just really genuine and kind. I know that sounds so naff, but it's hard to find these days.
'I'd also like a man who genuinely cares about my wellbeing and my feelings and wants to look after me.'
The three new bombshells then picked Harry, Conor and Dejon for solo dates, leaving the girls fuming, and leaving fans having to wait until Sunday to watch the drama unfold.
Earlier in the episode, Blu Chegini was the second star to be dumped from the Mallorca villa during Friday night's brutal recoupling.
Sophie Lee was the first person to be dumped from the island earlier this week after Shakira Khan stole her partner Harry Cooksley, leaving her single.
After the arrival of new bombshells Shea Mannings and Remell Mullins, the girls then had to chose who they wanted to recouple with on Thursday night.
Newbie Shea and Blu Chegini were left single and a shock text revealed that they would have to pick which of them would go home in a show first.
After Thursday's cliffhanger, Blu, 26, was ultimately dumped from the villa after he and Shea refused to pick which one of them would go home.
Instead, they forced the safe couples to make the decision for them, with original Islander Blu ultimately getting the fewest votes and being immediately dumped.
Both Shea and Blu said they wanted to get to know Shakira more, but after coupling back up with her original partner Ben, she refused to pick which one would stay.
Instead, their fellow Islanders ultimately decided they wanted to give new arrival Shea more time to find a potential match, given Blu arrived on the first day.
Blu and Shea were left raging after a new rule was introduced, with a text revealing they had to decide which of them went home.
Blu was quick to state, 'I ain't f***ing leaving', with Shea also making it clear he wasn't willing to leave, before they forced their co-stars to make the call.
Viewers were also particularly shocked that Shea was even put up for elimination, given new bombshells are usually immune during their first recoupling.
During Thursday's episode, Alima had kicked the recoupling off, giving Remell a shot after their earlier chinwag.
Toni was next, choosing Conor following a smooch they shared, while Megan stuck with Tommy.
Helena went for Harry amid their love triangle with Shakira, who went for Ben after the pair were originally coupled up.
Meg also stayed put with picking Dejon, leaving Blu and Shea not in a couple.
After just 24 hours in the villa, motivational speaker Sophie, 29, was the first star to be booted off the show.
Her departure came after the arrival of the first bombshell of the season, American beauty Toni Laites, 24, who decided to steal Ben, 23, off Shakira, 22.
This meant that Shakira was left single and had to try and find a connection with someone before the next recoupling ceremony.
She managed to leave a lasting impression on Harry, 30, who decided to come forward to recouple with her, leaving his then-partner Sophie single.
However, Shakira and Harry's connection wasn't to last as he dashed off to the Hideaway with Helena hours later while Shakira kissed Blu.
Sophie Lee
NAME: Sophie Lee
AGE: 29
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
NAME: Tommy Bradley
AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair
NAME: Alima Gagio
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number.
But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway.
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here.
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
NAME: Megan Forte Clarke
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus.
I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto.
NAME: Blu Chegini
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!
Shakira Khan
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring.
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
NAME: Conor Phillips
AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
NAME: Toni Laites
AGE: 24
FROM: Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together.
I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.
NAME: Kyle Ashman
AGE: 23
FROM: Stafford
OCCUPATION: Water operative
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
NAME: Shea Mannings
AGE: 25
FROM: Bristol
OCCUPATION: Scaffolder
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together. Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I'm confident to go up and introduce myself and say, 'You look beautiful', to get a conversation flowing.
Remell
NAME: Remell Mullins
AGE: 24
FROM: Essex
OCCUPATION: Self Improvement Content Creator
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A bubbly, confident, ambitious and fun girl. One feature that stands out to me is a nice smile, nice teeth and someone that can keep me on my toes.
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of flirting. Sometimes it's just unintentional.
NAME: Malisha Jordan
AGE: 24
FROM: Broxbourne
OCCUPATION: Teaching Assistant
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall, dark, handsome man. He has to be very tall. I'm 5ft7/ 5ft8. I want to be able to wear heels and feel feminine. He has to be funny, but not too funny; I have to be the funniest. I want someone that's caring and a bit loving, but then I like someone that can give me a bit of rude banter. I like to be a bit cheeky.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I have two; bad hygiene and snoring. I'm such an angelic sleeper.
NAME: Yasmin Pettet
AGE: 24
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy.
NAME: Emily Moran
AGE: 24
FROM: Aberdare
OCCUPATION: Insurance Development Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone with emotional intelligence for one. Someone who is really confident but not cocky. They can hold a room, communicate… oh, and biceps!
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? Bad manners, being rude, not saying please and thank you. I'd rather someone be overly polite than not say it at all.

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Louis Tomlinson displayed ‘playground mentality' towards Sam Thompson during Soccer Aid, before love rival pulled out
Louis Tomlinson displayed ‘playground mentality' towards Sam Thompson during Soccer Aid, before love rival pulled out

The Sun

time37 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Louis Tomlinson displayed ‘playground mentality' towards Sam Thompson during Soccer Aid, before love rival pulled out

LOUIS Tomlinson displayed "playground mentality" towards love rival Sam Thompson during Soccer Aid training. It comes after Sun revealed yesterday that the former Made in Chelsea star, 32, had been ruled out of playing in this year's match where he was due to play on the same team as Louis, 33. 7 7 7 Sam was due to play in the same England side as One Direction star Louis, 33, who is now dating his ex Zara McDermott. The former couple split in December, with Zara quickly moving on with Louis. The two men were both due to take part in Soccer Aid tomorrow, but it was revealed exclusively by The Sun yesterday that the I'm A Celeb champ had pull out due to injury. However, before Sam was forced to quit, he was he was pictured training with Louis this week at Soccer Aid HQ in Tring, Herts, where the England and Rest of the World teams have been preparing for the match. After looking at the pictures in detail, a body language expert believes that Louis displayed a "playground mentality" towards Sam on the pitch. Expert Judi James said that while Sam was smiling and happy, and get along with the other players, One Direction star Louis seemed "glum" and "separate". She told The Mail: 'There seems to be more of a playground dynamic growing from the body language here. "Sam seems to be very much part of the core group, sitting central and being the center of their attention while Louis walks by looking glum at times and rather peripheral to the social interaction. "As the guys club around Sam, who looks deep in the discussion, Louis seems to glance over with a rather hard-looking stare. "His eye direction might not be exclusively aimed at Sam, but he does seem to be checking the group out with an unsmiling facial expression." Louis Tomlinson admits feeling nervous ahead of Soccer Aid as Zara's ex Sam Thompson awkwardly hovers behind him Continuing she said: "When the two men meet on the pitch there is an unsmiling, reflective-looking gaze from Louis. "This shouldn't be over-dramatized into any form of specifically directed 'hard stare' as his eye direction does not seem to be aimed directly at Sam, but there could be seen to be a hint of some kind of 'atmosphere' brewing here. "With his hands on his hips, Louis does look really down and perhaps rather uncomfortable." 7 7 7 SAM QUITS SOCCER AID Meanwhile, yesterday The Sun exclusively revealed how Sam was no longer able to take part on Soccer Aid tomorrow. The popular star pulled out due to injuries sustained in his epic marathon challenge, in which he made the gruelling 260-mile trip from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford via foot and bike. A source told us: 'Sam is gutted he can't play, but the match has just come too soon since his efforts. 'He's still going to be a presence and play a big part in the coverage but he won't be able to compete on the field.' They added: 'There is a small blessing in his withdrawal as the focus on him and Louis will disperse. 'Their every move will be watched so it's a relief in some ways they won't be on the pitch together.' Sam will play a 'ceremonial role' in tomorrow's match, kicking off the game before heading into the stands. Soccer Aid kicks off tomorrow night at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX England team and coaching staff Here is a look at the full team for England for Soccer Aid 2025... Team: Steven Bartlett (Entrepreneur) Alex Brooker (TV personality) Jermain Defoe (Former footballer) Toni Duggan (Former footballer) Angry Ginge (YouTuber) Tom Grennan (Musician) Bear Grylls (TV personality) Joe Hart (Former footballer) Steph Houghton (Former footballer) Aaron Lennon (Former footballer) Dame Denise Lewis (Olympic gold medallist) Paddy McGuinness (TV personality) Sir Mo Farah (Former Olympian) Gary Neville (Former footballer) Sam Quek (Former hockey player/TV personality) Wayne Rooney (Former footballer and manager) Paul Scholes (Former footballer) Jill Scott (Former footballer) Sam Thompson (King of the Jungle) Louis Tomlinson (Musician) Michael Carrick (Former footballer) Phil Jagielka (Former footballer) Roman Kemp (Radio host) Jack Wilshere (Former footballer) Bella Ramsey (Actor) Coaches: Wayne Rooney (Former footballer and manager) Tyson Fury (Boxer) Harry Redknapp (Former football manager) Vicky McClure (Actor) Goalkeeping coach: David James (Former footballer)

David Beckham, Gary Oldman, Elaine Paige and others honored by King Charles III
David Beckham, Gary Oldman, Elaine Paige and others honored by King Charles III

The Independent

time41 minutes ago

  • The Independent

David Beckham, Gary Oldman, Elaine Paige and others honored by King Charles III

Arise Sir David, Sir Gary and Sir Roger. And Dame Elaine, Dame Pat and Dame Penny. Former England soccer captain David Beckham, Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman and The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey were knighted in King Charles III 's birthday honors list released late Friday. Elaine Paige, the renowned musicals singer, Booker Prize-winning novelist Pat Barker and former Conservative government minister Penny Mordaunt were given damehoods, the female equivalent of a knighthood. The honors, which aim to reward individuals for their contributions to British life, are awarded twice a year to celebrities and public figures as well as ordinary people: Once at New Year's, and then in June to mark the king's birthday. The winners are chosen by civil servants' committees based on nominations from the government and the public. The awards are usually given out by the king or a senior royal acting in his place at Buckingham Palace. The Sirs Beckham, 50, was widely expected to be knighted following speculation last week that appeared to be based on a conversation he had with the monarch at the Chelsea Flower Show last month. As well as representing England 115 times, including 59 times as captain, Beckham played for some of Europe's most venerable clubs, most notably Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has been knighted for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF, the U.N.'s children's fund, for two decades and campaigned with a charity working to eradicate malaria. Beckham also played a pivotal role in London being awarded the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. 'Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honor," he said. Oldman, 67, was recognized for his services to drama both on screen and on stage. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film 'Darkest Hour," and recently dazzled audiences in the Apple TV spy thriller series ' Slow Horses.' Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognized for services to charity as well as music, having been a patron of 'Teenage Cancer Trust' since 2000. The 81-year-old, who led the charity's concert series at Royal Albert Hall for more than two decades, said he was humbled by the award. 'It's a dream come true for me, but it's especially a dream because the charity means so much," he said. The Dames Paige, 77, was honoured for her services to charity as well as music. She has held senior roles at a charity supporting young people with acquired brain injury and another one that supports disabled tennis players. 'I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once," she said. "I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in.' 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Introduced in 1917 by King George V, the award recognizes people who have made 'a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time.' Current members include British environmentalist David Attenborough, Canadian author Margaret Atwood and one of Britain's greatest-ever athletes Sebastian Coe. Hundreds more are awarded The honors don't just reward people in the public eye. More than 1,200 people received honours in the latest list. Women made up 48% of those honored, with 11% of recipients from ethnic minority backgrounds. The oldest recipient was 106-year-old World War II veteran William Irwin, who was awarded a British Empire Medal, for his services to the community. The youngest was 11-year-old disability campaigner Carmela Chillery-Watson, who was made a 'Member of the Most Excellent Order British Empire," or MBE. 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The emotional meaning behind Princess Charlotte's brooch at Trooping the Colour - as she pays tribute to her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II
The emotional meaning behind Princess Charlotte's brooch at Trooping the Colour - as she pays tribute to her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II

Daily Mail​

time43 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

The emotional meaning behind Princess Charlotte's brooch at Trooping the Colour - as she pays tribute to her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Charlotte has paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at today's Trooping the Colour parade as she rewore a brooch she first wore to her great-grandmother's funeral. The young royal, 10, pinned the historic Diamond Horseshoe brooch to the front of her light blue dress for her grandfather King Charles' birthday parade today - with Charlotte first wearing the piece of jewellery to Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. The brooch, which has been in the Royal Family for generations, had been a gift from her 'Gan-Gan' the Queen, and was a fitting nod to Her Majesty's love of horses. Writing on Instagram at the time, the user by the name of historyfamousjewels, wrote: 'At the funeral of QEII [Queen Elizabeth II] Princess Charlotte of Wales wore a small diamond horse shoe brooch. 'The BBC states that it was a gift from HM QEII to the Princess. Fellow poster, Franck @britishroyalfamilywealth recognised that it is a brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in the 1920s. 'Franck also noted that Leslie Field stated that the brooch was given to QEQM [Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother] by Queen Mary. 'I would like to pay tribute to the composure of the young Princess during what must have been an overwhelming experience.' Charlotte took after her mother today as they wore matching blue dresses, with Kate picking a blue coat dress from Catherine Walker - complete with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill - for today's Trooping the Colour. The young royal, 10, pinned the historic Diamond Horseshoe brooch to the front of her light blue dress for her grandfather King Charles' birthday parade today - with Charlotte first wearing the piece of jewellery to Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022 Kate accessorised with the Irish Guards regimental brooch as well as the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings in a sweet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. They were crafted from pearls gifted to the Queen and Philip from the ruler of Bahrain at the time of their wedding in 1947. Ahead of the morning's celebrations, crowds of well-wishers and royal fans had started lining the Mall. If the cardboard cutouts they carried were any indication, the Princess of Wales ' arrival was most eagerly anticipated. Photos showed a group of Britons holding up a life-sized picture of the Princess of Wales, wearing the red, long-sleeved Alexander McQueen dress she most famously donned for the Diamond Jubilee pageant in 2012. Another person was carting around a cut-out of King Charles, dressed in full military regalia, in a show of support for the monarch as he continues to receive treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. And of course the Wales children are always popular with royal watchers. Last year's event showed heartwarming behind-the-scenes footage, featuring the mother-of-three comforting her daughter. In the clip, Charlotte and George could be seen waiting nervously in the doorway as Kate quietly smoothed her daughter's locks. The nine-year-old could be seen anxiously moving around as she clasped her hands in front of her, and quietly said a few words to her mother while watching the carriage approach. Then, as the royals walked in synchronised steps towards their seats Charlotte seemed to take a deep breath, while Kate tenderly took her hand. And steadied by her family, as she waited in the carriage to set off, she could be seen smiling happily through the window as they chatted together in the coach. Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition that marks the Sovereign's official birthday. It dates back to the 17th century and is rooted in battlefield custom, when regimental flags, or 'colours,' were trooped in front of soldiers to ensure they could be recognised amid the smoke of combat. Last week a full-dress rehearsal, known as The Colonel's Review, took place serving as the final run-through before the King's official celebration. This year, the honour of trooping the Colour falls to the Coldstream Guards, who will officially present their regimental flag, known as the Colour, to King Charles. Following the Trooping ceremony, all eyes will be on the royal balcony to see who King Charles invites to wave to the crowds. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be front and centre on the balcony to watch the Red Arrows flypast, but it expected a host of senior royals will be alongside them. Prince William, 42, is expected to be joined by the Princess of Wales, 43 and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Princess Anne will feature with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, 70. Prince Edward, 61, - who like Anne will be fresh from his part in the procession - is expected on the balcony with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60 They are likely to be joined by their daughter Lady Louise, 21. Their son James, the Earl of Wessex, 17, did not make an appearance last year and may not attend the ceremony this time around either. The Duke of Kent, 89, will likely also be among the royals on the balcony, with the Duke of Gloucester, 80, and his 78-year-old wife Birgitte, the Duchess. As expected, Prince Harry, 40, and his wife Meghan Markle, 43, are not attending this year's celebrations. Having chosen to walk away from being working royals, they have not been present at Trooping the Colour since 2019. The other notable absentee will be Prince Andrew, 65, who remains exiled from public royal events amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and the claims made by late accuser Virginia Giuffre. Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 35, are not expected to be there either amid Charles' desire for a slimmed-down monarchy and to keep the focus on working royals. Members of the royal family are expected to watch the flypast - including the RAF Red Arrows and a range of planes and helicopters - from the balcony. In previous years it has been a moment where the royal children shine - with little Prince Louis delighting fans last year as pretended to fly one of the planes, appearing to screw up his face as he mimicked the engine's deafening noise. The route for the flypast has not been officially confirmed, but the Military Air Shows has revealed an air restrictions map which shows the expected official route. Proposed restrictions are in the vicinity of the North Sea, East Anglia, Essex and London. Its expected the flypast will go over Buckingham Palace at 1pm. Held traditionally on the second Saturday in June, regardless of the Sovereign's actual date of birth, the celebrations have marked the monarch's official birthday since the mid-1700s. Queen Elizabeth attended all but two of her Trooping the Colours, missing it in 1955 when a national rail strike resulted in the event being cancelled and in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions. The parade is open to members of the public through an online ballot with ticketing ranging from £10 to £30 and is broadcast live on the BBC. Today's celebrations come following reports that the King will no longer ride in the Trooping the Colour due to his ongoing cancer treatments. As a former polo player and one of the Royal Family 's most accomplished equestrians, the monarch rode for years in the parade - both for his mother's official birthday celebrations and then for his own. But he will not appear on horseback at the event this weekend and will instead travel in a carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back, according to The Sunday Times. It is understood that he will not ride at the parade again. His illness is said to have curtailed the 'monarch in the saddle' tradition that he briefly revived in 2023, the first time the monarch had ridden in the parade since Queen Elizabeth did in 1986. The late Queen rode her trusty mare Burmese until the horse was retired when she began travelling in a carriage until her final appearance in 2022, where she took the salute from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The King, 76, was admitted to hospital for treatment to an enlarged prostate in January 2024 and shortly after was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer. As a former polo player and one of the Royal Family 's most accomplished equestrians, the monarch rode for years in the parade - both for his mother's official birthday celebrations and then for his own. But he will not appear on horseback at the event this weekend and will instead travel in a carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back, according to The Sunday Times. Pictured earlier this month It meant that he travelled with Queen Camilla in a carriage at last year's parade to be safer and more comfortable. This came a year after what is now known to be his last appearance on horseback for the celebration, which did not go particularly smoothly for Charles. He was riding Noble, a black mare which appeared unsettled throughout - at one point even breaking into a canter in the Mall. One television commentator described Noble's behaviour as 'if it was going into the starting stalls at Newmarket'. And while Charles is not expected to ride at the parade again, this weekend's event will be the first time that the Princess Royal has ridden in public since she was hospitalised following a suspected horse injury last year. Anne, 74, plans to ride in the parade this year in her role as gold stick, the colonel of the Blues and Royals, alongside the Prince of Wales as colonel of the Welsh Guards and the Duke of Edinburgh as colonel of the Scots Guards and London Guards. What is Trooping the Colour? The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday. The streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony. Once the Sovereign has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade in Whitehall, they are greeted by a Royal salute and carry out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. After the military bands have performed, the escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Over one hundred words of command are used by the Officer in Command of the Parade to direct the several hundred soldiers. Once the Foot Guards have marched past the Sovereign, they ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again at the Palace from a dais. The Sovereign is then joined by other Members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. A 41-gun salute is also fired in Green Park to mark the occasion.

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